Netflix reveals year's content slate at Next on Netflix 2025 including new South African films and series

by Thinus Ferreira

On Thursday Netflix revealed more information about its upcoming slate of films and series for 2025, as well as a sizzle reel in which a character moves through various Netflix content.

"We're not just one thing. We’re the best of film, TV, documentaries, stand-up, animation and live events - and we're doing it in 50 languages," said Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer.

"We're not afraid to make big bets on compelling voices and new ideas - whether it's a plot twist, an original story, or a big live moment."

"That's what Netflix is all about. Bold choices. Creativity. Surprises. Fandom. Entertaining the world. That's what keeps our members coming back week after week, month after month, year after year. And that's what we'll be doing in 2025."

Netflix's upcoming slate of new South African films include Semi-Soeter, a follow-up of the Afrikaans film Semi-Soet, as a romantic comedy directed by Joshua Rous and produced by Anel Alexander and Zandré Coetzer.

Meet the Khumalos, a new family film, is written, directed and produced by Jayan Moodley who created the Kandasamys family comedy franchise.

A new Afrikaans drama series, Tuiskoms, is also coming to Netflix South Africa and will debut on 28 February, produced by Infinity Films.

A new drama series Go!, produced by Ten30Films with Kutlwano Ditsele as creator and producer will be released on Netflix on 21 March, with directors Thuli Zuma and Tristan Holmes.

The Go! cast includes Thandolwethu Zondi, Wonder Ndlovu, Dawn Thandeka King, Wiseman Ncube and Katlego Danke. 

A third season of Kings of Jo'Burg from Ferguson Films will debut on Netflix in 2025 as well featuring Connie Ferguson and Zolisa Xaluva, as well as the second season of Unseen featuring Gail Mabalane, Dineo Langa, Waldemar Schultz, Ilse Klink and Siv Ngesi.

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds is a new documentary film.

American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden is another new documentary series.

Chaos: The Manson Murders is a new documentary film.

Netflix released a clip for Apple Cider Vinegar, a series about two young women who advocate for wellness remedies to cure deadly diseases, who see their lives unravel as they unknowingly - and knowingly - mislead the world:

The unscripted series, Court of Gold, about Serbia's basketball team, got a clip:

Netflix will release the second part of the first season of Tyler Perry's Beauty, and part 3 of the 6th season of Cobra Kai.

Also coming in 2025 are the American historical drama series Death by Lightning, the animated series Death May Cry, the third season of the drama series The Diplomat, as well as new drama series Tyler Perry's She The People.

The documentary film, Eddie, is about Eddie Murphy, while Everybody's Live with John Mulaney is a new weekly talk show which will do live episodes globally from 12 March.

The film The Electric State got a new clip:

Fear Street: Prom Queen is a new film coming to Netflix in 2025, and Forever is a new American drama series:

Frankenstein is a new film, and there will be the third season of Ginny & Georgia.

 

Gone Girls: The Long Island serial killer and Katrina: Come Hell or High Water are two new documentary series also coming to Netflix this year, with Pangolin: Kulu's Journey that is a new documentary film of which this first-look photo was released:

Titan is another new documentary film:

Other new Netflix films include Happy Gilmore 2, Kinda Pregnant, Havoc, R&B, In Your Dreams, RIP and The Woman in Cabin 10.

The Leopard is a new international drama series making its debut in 2025 on Netflix, and it got a trailer:

Tyler Perry's film Madea's Destination Wedding was announced as a tile, and released a first-look photo:

Connie Ferguson to launch the Ferguson Foundation in August dedicated to late husband-producer Shona with a film school for students to build South Africa's film industry.

by Thinus Ferreira

Connie Ferguson will officially launch her and her late husband Shona's Ferguson Foundation in August which will be a new South African film school to help disadvantaged students to enter the film and TV industry as producers as well as in front of the cameras as actors.

The Fergusons' plan to launch their Ferguson Foundation was postponed following the unexpected death of Shona (47) in late July a year ago.

Under their Ferguson Films banner launched in 2010, the couple produced series like Rockville, iGazi, The Throne, The Herd, The Imposter and The Queen for M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel and Kings of Joburg for Netflix South Africa.

Now the Ferguson Foundation will be officially launched with a gala dinner on Friday evening 5 August, in memory of co-founder Shona, at The Venue at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg where the actress, businesswoman and producer will dedicate the couple's philanthropic endeavour to her late husband.

"The official launch of the Ferguson Foundation is on the way, thank you for your patience and support in the build-up to the big day and all the activities we have been undertaking," Connie says in a statement, with the Ferguson Films owner noting that it marks "new beginnings".

"The Ferguson Foundation gala launch, in loving memory of our co-founder Shona Ferguson, will be held on Friday 5 August 2022. I am looking forward to having you join us in the fruition of this vision and celebration of the life of a true visionary of empowerment and upliftment."

The aim of the Ferguson Foundation is to help "create tomorrow's dreams today by promoting young entrepreneurs, funding the education of disadvantaged youth, and nurturing film enthusiasts".

"We also aim to create balanced and equal opportunities for women who have been dealt a disadvantage in life."

Similar to the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), beneficiaries will get to attend two annual mentorship workshops with Ferguson Films, with students - through internships - who will also get work experience and networking opportunities alongside film and TV professionals. 

At the same time, the foundation says it also aims to sponsor the university fees of five children from disadvantaged families who will be funded throughout their undergraduate programmes until they graduate.

The vision of the Ferguson film school is to equip students "with the tools they need to know about film production and functions related to film, with the aim of building future film industry leaders, producers and actors".

In regards to female empowerment, the Ferguson Foundation will support selected women around Southern Africa living with HIV/Aids, struggling with the effects of being widowed, and the consequences of the recent Covid-19 pandemic to "provide them with funding for their start-up businesses, and assist them in elevating their skills and thus creating sustenance".

The Queen from Ferguson Films on Mzansi Magic cancelled after shortened 7th season, Lingashoni to end with a second season on 1Magic as Mzansi Magic also shifts focus to limited series with higher production values.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Queen from Ferguson Films on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and Lingashoni from Stained Glass TV on 1Magic (DStv 103) have both been cancelled, M-Net confirmed on Friday.

The Queen from Ferguson Films has been renewed for a 7th and final, shortened season of 125 instead of the usual 250 full season order. The Queen will be replaced by a new local South African telenovela.

The 7th and final shortened season of The Queen will start in July 2022 on Mzansi Magic and broadcast its final episode on 13 January 2023.

Lingashoni from Stained Glass TV, that starts for a second season on 21 March has also been cancelled. Lingashoni will start its second season broadcast on 21 March 2022 and end its second season with a series finale that will be broadcast on 13 January 2023.

The Queen made its debut on Mansi Magic in August 2016 and reached 1 000 episodes by AUgust 2020 including a crossover episode with the 1Magic telenovela The River – a first for M-Net local productions and linking the two shows to exist within the same universe.

Lingashoni as the second telenovela for 1Magic made its debut in March 2021.

Similar to M-Net's kykNET division, Mzansi Magic is changing to stabilising the channel's content slate going forward and focusing on more limited series and reality series with bigger budgets and higher production values.

MultiChoice and M-Net are revising the channel strategies of Mzansi Magic and 1Magic "to keep abreast with changing audience preferences and the evolving competitor landscape".

Mzansi Magic says "The success of our local strategy depends on how well we adapt to what our viewers desire to see on screen".

"Telenovelas have been the crux of our weekday viewership and continue to be so on Mzansi Magic. A new telenovela will be introduced into the weekday 21:00-slot, replacing The Queen from January 2023."

"New content is still under development and will be announced in due course."

"While 1Magic is not traditionally known as the home of telenovelas, it houses one of our leading telenovelas, The River - a multi award-winning production that is popular with viewers. It has just been renewed for a 5th season. Our replacement for Lingashoni will be announced soon."

Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, says "As the M-Net local entertainment channels, we would like to applaud the producers, cast and crew of The Queen and Lingashoni for their dedication to delivering riveting storylines and award-winning content in highly contested primetime slots".

"We maintain long-standing and positive relationships with Ferguson Films and Stained Glass TV, with both production houses having created other shows for our channels." 

"In the case of Ferguson Films they have given us hit shows including Rockville, Igazi, The Imposter and Unmarried; while Stained Glass TV is the studio behind our shows Ifalakhe, eHostela and the massively popular The Wife."  

"Our strategy is still focused on growing our local content offering. It is what drives our growth and our viewership figures and we are committed to giving our discerning audiences content that they can relate to and see themselves in".

'We look forward to the thrills of the next 12 months as both productions draw towards their respective finales."

Shona Ferguson: Private funeral this Wednesday for the filmmaker and memorial service at a later date.

by Thinus Ferreira

The filmmaker and actor Shona Ferguson (47) who died on Friday afternoon from Covid-19 complications will be laid to rest in a private funeral service this Wednesday, his family said in a statement on Tuesday, with a date for the memorial service that might be public, that will be announced later.

Shona Ferguson, who was married to co-producer and actress Connie Ferguson and who owned the production company Ferguson Films, died on Friday afternoon at the Milpark private hospital in Johannesburg after he was admitted a week ago suffering from chest pains and struggling to breathe.

Ferguson Films produced several series for MultiChoice and M-Net's DStv channels like Mzansi Magic and 1Magic (DStv 103) including The Queen, The Throne, Igazi, The Herd, The River and The Imposter, and Unmarried and Step Up to a Start-Up on which he was an executive producer.

Shona Ferguson received the Golden Horn award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in the Best Actor in a TV soap category, and won another one for Best Achievement by a Lead Actor in a made-for-TV movie.

The 6-episode drama series Kings of Joburg was produced for Netflix by Ferguson Films in 2020.

Ferguson Films recently announced plans to open The Ferguson Film School for aspiring filmmakers.

"The Ferguson family would like to confirm that the late Shona Ferguson will be laid to rest in a private ceremony attended only by family members on Wednesday 4 August 2022," Ferguson films and family spokesperson Thato Matuka said in a statement on Tuesday morning.

"Details of a memorial service will be communicated at a later stage once all the necessary arrangements have been finalised. We would like to thank our friends and the public at large for the kind words of comfort during this difficult period."

ALSO READ: CORONAVIRUS. Ferguson Films owner, producer and actor Shona Ferguson (47) has died from Covid-19 complications.

CORONAVIRUS. Ferguson Films owner, producer and actor Shona Ferguson (47) has died from Covid-19 complications.

by Thinus Ferreira

The filmmaker, producer, actor and owner of Ferguson Films in South Africa, Shona Ferguson, has reportedly died from Covid-19 coronavirus complications. He was 47.

See INDUSTRY REACTION lower down in the article.

Shona Ferguson, who was married to co-producer and actress Connie Ferguson, died on Friday afternoon at the Milpark private hospital in Johannesburg after he was admitted a week ago suffering from chest pains and struggling to breathe.

Sunday World reported that Shona Ferguson died on Friday afternoon, citing uncited sources, after he was in ICU.

This report couldn't independently be verified by other sources that TVwithThinus called, messaged and asked for several hours on Friday, hence the lack of any other reporting whilst seeking confirmation of the single-source story.

On Friday afternoon News24 cited Conrad Mwanza, a Ferguson Foundation spokesperson, confirmed the news of the death of Shona Ferguson.

"Shona Ferguson passed away at noon today and all the family is asking for at the moment is just to mourn in private," Conrad Mwanza said. 

He said that Shona Ferguson died from Covid-19 related complications.

In a statement issued later on Friday afternoon by the Ferguson Foundation, the Ferguson family said that Shona Ferguson died from Covid-19 related complications.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Shona Ferguson. He passed away at noon today (Friday, 30 July 2021). Shona Ferguson’s untimely passing was due to Covid-19 related complications, and not a heart operation as reported in the media. We ask that you give the family time to process this painful loss and respect their space during this time."

Born as Aaron Arthur Ferguson in Botswana on 30 April 1974, he started his entertainment career in Lesotho as a club DJ at The Palace Hotel Night Club in 1992. 

After moving back to Botswana his focus shifted to the corporate world and he ended up in the IT business after which he got a role and started his acting career in SABC1's Generations, produced by Mfundi Vundla.

In 2006 he joined SABC2's Muvhango in the role of Dr Leabua and went on to portray the role of Itumeleng on The Wild on M-Net (DStv 101) and also appeared in SABC3's Isidingo, as well as Scandal! on e.tv.

Along with Connie Ferguson they started Ferguson Films and appeared together on screen in their first locally-produced series Rockville on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161). 

The couple has two daughter, Alicia Angel Ferguson and Lesedi, as well as a grandson Rori.

Connie Ferguson on Saturday night on her Instagram account wrote: "This day, 20 years ago (31 July 2001), was the day God brought you into my life, and we haven't looked back since!"

"Ours is a once in a lifetime kind of love. We joked about how we were going to be in our old age. How we would take turns supporting each other and being strong for each other. The irony is we have already been doing that for the past 20 years!"

"Oh how God has loved me to give me you! We were already planning our 20th wedding anniversary in November, assuming that we had time. You and I were joined at the hip, now I feel completely off balance, incomplete, without my other half! My soulmate!"

His daughter Alicia Angel Ferguson wrote on Instagram: "Words can not express how I'm feeling right now. My worst fear became a reality. You fought your fight dad, and I'm so proud of you for making it this far".

"You've not only touched our lives as your family, but you've touched many others as well. You've left a legacy behind that I will carry on, as I did make this promise when I was little to you. Thank you for everything that you've done for me my doppelgänger."

"You made a promise to me that you'll always be there when I need you, so I believe you will always be there even in spirit. I'm going to miss being your personal photographer. I'm going to miss tickling your feet and you shouting at me for it. I'm going to miss smelling your perfume around the house."

"I'm going to miss a lot of things, but most importantly, your hugs. You gave the best hugs on this earth Fa, and I cherish each hug you've given me. I know you are protecting us from up there in heaven. I miss you and words can not express how much I love you Fa. Rest In Peace My Twin."

Shona Ferguson also made an appearance in 2014's The Gift, another series produced by Ferguson Films. 

Other series from Ferguson Films produced for MultiChoice and M-Net's DStv channels like Mzansi Magic and 1Magic (DStv 103) included The Queen, The Throne, Igazi, The Herd, The River and The Imposter, and Unmarried and Step Up to a Start-Up on which he was an executive producer.

Shona Ferguson received the Golden Horn award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in the Best Actor in a TV soap category, and won another one for Best Achievement by a Lead Actor in a made-for-TV movie.

The 6-episode drama series Kings of Joburg was produced for Netflix by Ferguson Films in 2020.

Ferguson Films recently announced plans to open The Ferguson Film School for aspiring filmmakers.

In June this year Shona Ferguson shared on social media how he also went to Hollywood looking for fame and a career, as well as many doors in South Africa's TV and film industry that were shut in his face - and that he was so poor once that he couldn't afford toothpaste.

"An agent told me it wasn’t going to be easy to get me jobs because I didn't have the right “look”. A veteran actor, loved and respected by millions told me I am not memorable and so did a lot of producers. Many actors criticized me and made bets I would never make it in this industry," Shona Ferguson said.

"I've given most of these folks, agents and naysayers work opportunities regardless. Some are on my payroll and some would rather starve than work for me and that's okay. I'm not for everyone and not everyone is for me."

"There was a time in my life I couldn't afford toothpaste and I brushed my teeth with sunlight bar soap. Had bogobe le cabbage for years because I couldn't afford meat. We were so broke we couldn't afford paraffin for the lamps. We didn't have much but God was with us."

INDUSTRY REACTION:

MultiChoice and M-Net in a statement in response to a media enquiry on Friday afternoon told TVwitThinus that "M-Net is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of actor, film producer and philanthropist, Shona Ferguson".

"Together with his wife Connie Ferguson, he founded Ferguson Films, and they both starred in the production company’s M-Net first series, Rockville, in 2013."

"This was followed by other successful productions, such as The Throne and The Queen, in which Shona played the role of Jerry Maake. His latest appearance was on Rockville Season 5, which aired on Mzansi Magic in June 2021, where he took on the role of JB."

"Shona previously starred in a number of popular local TV series, including Generations, Muvhango and M-Net's The Wild. Recently, Shona and his wife Connie launched the Ferguson Foundation, an independent programme dedicated to supporting and empowering disadvantaged individuals in navigating the film industry."

Nomsa Philiso, director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, says "Shona has left an indelible mark on the South African television and production industry. He will be greatly missed by the M-Net family and his fans."

"M-Net extends its heartfelt condolences to the Ferguson family and Shona’s friends and colleagues. May his loved ones find strength and peace during this difficult time."

Netflix South Africa, where Shona Ferguson produced Kings of Joburg, says "We are saddened to hear the news of the passing of Shona Fergurson. As a fixture in the entertainment industry and a hero of black stories he will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Once a King, always a King".

Roberta Durrant of Penguin Films in a statement says, "It is with great shock and sadness that we have learnt today of the passing of Shonda Ferguson. We wish Connie and other members of his family and close friends deep condolences and prayers over this time of loss".

The SABC in a statement said that it is "deeply saddened by the passing of Shona Ferguson "and sends heartfelt condolences to the Ferguson family, his colleagues and his friends". 

Merlin Naicker, SABC group executive of SABC video entertainment, says "The industry has lost a great filmmaker and actor. He has left an indelible mark and his work will remain part of the South African film and television's rich archives, and will serve as a great well of knowledge for aspiring filmmakers and actors".

Duma Ndlovu, executive producer at the Word of Mouth Pictures production company, in a statement says "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ferguson family and fans during this difficult time, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear brother",

"We have lost a dedicated contributor in the film and television industry, who has been doing remarkable work. We remember him for his unmistakable dedication and passion."

M-Net revives Rockville for a 5th season on Mzansi Magic after DStv subscribers 'showed that there is still a longing' for the Ferguson Films drama series.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net has decided to revive the Rockville drama series after five years with a new 5th season of the Ferguson Films series that is set to return to Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) in 2021 promising a refreshed and expanded story with new actors joining some of the established characters.

"I can confirm that Rockville is returning. For now, we are still sorting out the contractual agreements," Philly Kubheka, the head of publicity at Mzansi Magic, tells TVwithThinus.  

Rockville executive produced by Connie and Shona Ferguson and who also both had on-screen roles, launched in May 2013 on Mzansi Magic and ran for 4 seasons until 2016, contrasting the worlds of Johannesburg's glitzy northern suburbs and the Bogatsus family, with the streets of Soweto where the working class Mabasos family lives.

Rockville was the first project from Ferguson Films and the first executive producing TV vehicle for the Ferguson showrunners pair, in addition to being the first drama series for Mzansi Magic.

Although Rockville was never officially cancelled, although ratings dipped over time, it was pushed from the Mzansi Magic schedule in favour of other newer projects over the past decade from Ferguson Films like iGazi, The Gift, The Throne, The Herd, The Queen and The Imposter. In 2020 they produced the drama series Kings of Joburg for Netflix.

About why Rockville is being revived, Philly Kubheka says that DStv subscribers "showed that there is still a longing for Rockville. That is precisely why we are bringing back this local content on our screens".

Filming on the new 5th season has started although some Rockville contractual agreements are still being sorted out. Several new faces are expected to join some of the actors who will be returning to familiar roles for an expanded new storyline.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming the squad that started it all back and introducing new and exciting characters and talent. More details about the cast of Rockville season 5 will be announced," says Connie Ferguson.

The South African Film and Television Awards drops Sun City, shifts award show back to Johannesburg as NFVF makes changes and gets boycotting producers back onboard.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) is dropping Sun City as award show venue with the far-away and expensive money-waste of the past few years that is being curbed under new leadership and with the awards show returning to Johannesburg for 2020.

Local production companies who have been boycotting the awards including Word of Mouth productions and Ferguson Films are once again entering their shows for possible Golden Horns following discussions with the organisers.

Under new National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) CEO, Makhosazana Khanyile, the 14th Saftas will once again be taking place in Johannesburg - this year at the Sandton Convention Centre on 27 and 28 March.

The NFVF inexplicably moved its annual award show to Sun City for 2017, 2018 and 2019 with critics and the TV and film industry who derided the decision and saw talent who had to drive there and often back afterwards late at night, also curtailing easy access and making it difficult for various media to try and cover the awards.

The NFVF wanted on-screen talent and producers to pay a "discount" price of between R3810 and R5566 to stay at Sun City in March 2019 for one night in order to attend the far-flung awards ceremony.

In late-2019 the NFVF decided to scupper Sun City and the huge additional expenses associated with mounting the days' long awards show at the holiday resort in the North West province and to return the awards show to Johannesburg.

The 14th Saftas will once again do a two-day awards show - on 27 March for the various crafts honouring technical categories, as well as on 28 March as the main awards show which will be televised on SABC2 from 19:00.

The NFVF has not yet said whether the important writers' categories will be returned after all writing awards were abruptly dumped without any prior warning from 2019's main show, angering the scriptwriting community and the larger TV and film industry.

"We are cognisant of the criticism that has been levelled towards the Saftas in past instalments and we are keen to show the industry our commitment to benchmarking against best practise," says Makhosazana Khanyile.

"To that end, the NFVF team met and consulted with the Baftas team to see what learnings could be incorporated into making these awards better and as a result, some categories were revised, and we feel we are inching closer to having an award show with proper and continued industry buy-in".

"Ensuring the credibility of the awards within the industry meant reaching out to some production companies that had previously boycotted the Saftas and we are pleased to announce that both Word of Mouth productions doing Muvhango on SABC2 and Ferguson Films producing The Queen on M-Net's Mzansi Magic have once again entered their work for consideration into the awards".

"We continuously aim to improve the prestige of the Golden Horn," she says.

Rami Chuene exits Ferguson Films' troubled The Queen on Mzansi Magic, says 'I won't be getting into details as advised by my legal team'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Actress Ramu Chuene is exiting Ferguson Films' The Queen on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) as the latest on-screen talent to leave the apparently troubled drama series, following alleged behind-the-scenes rancour with the producers.

On social media, the actress, known for her role as Gracious Mabuza, said that her stint on The Queen has come to an end.

"Unfortunately, I won't be getting into details as advised by my legal team. I still have to finish shooting and I'm hoping to execute as excellently, exceptionally and professionally as I always have."

There's been no public comment from Ferguson Films.

Rami Chuene joins 4 other actors who have been axed and left The Queen over the course of the last year, including Stembiso Khoza, Khanya Mkangisa, Khayakazi Kula and Moshe Ndiki, while veteran actress Vatiswa Ndara was involved in an acrimonious exit from iGazi, that was also produced by Ferguson Films.

According to reports there had allegedly been a breakdown in the relationship between Rami Chuene and the Ferguson producer-couple Connie and Shona after the actress showed support for actress Vatiswa Ndara who wrote an open letter to the minister of arts and culture.

South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) weighs in on the latest actor-producer-broadcaster TV biz row highlighted by Vatiswa Ndara: 'The exploitation will continue'.

The South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) is weighing in on the latest actor-producer-broadcaster row in the country TV industry, highlighted by the actress Vatiswa Ndara speaking out about allegedly deplorable production and pay issues, with SAGA saying that the exploitation of actors will continue unless actors are given a voice.

It comes after actress Vatiswa Ndara's scathing 6-page open letter to South Africa's minister of sports, arts and culture in which she alleges exploitation by the Ferguson Films production company, of being underpaid and undervalued, and not getting residuals for rebroadcasts.

She quit the iGazi drama series on MultiChoice's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel, after two seasons over the paltry pay impossible conditions.

Connie and Shona Ferguson, the actor-producer couple who owns and runs Ferguson Films and have produced several series like iGazi and The Throne for M-Net's general entertainment channels, on Wednesday in a statement said that the company "is pretty much in the same boat as the artist".

Ferguson Films said that the production company that is commissioned to make a show for a channel like Mzansi Magic, doesn't own the rights to the show and "does not reap the financial benefits through repeat broadcasts, licensing deals and repackaging of the show".

It's not the first time that actors have come forward to publicly complain about on-set production issues, payment disparity and the lack of residual payments.

The latest public flare-up about an ongoing - and unresolved - South African TV industry issue about adequate actor representation and remuneration has seen previous, similar scandals engulf shows and broadcasters ranging from the SABC to M-Net and e.tv when actors have vented their frustrations about being unable to secure better deals after they've appeared in successful shows.

"Unfortunately Vatiswa Ndara speaks to a portion of something that is systemic - it is everywhere. It is in audio-visual, it is in threatre, is affects performers no matter where they are, in whatever productions they are in," said Carlynn De Waal-Smith from the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA).

In an interview on eNCA she said that "there is exploitation that happens, there are working conditions that are not satisfactory, there is this power-struggle between the producers, the broadcasters, the financiers and the actors are at the very end of the food chains."

"Everything trickles down to the actor. And the weird thing is the actors are on screen - they're the ones who make your programme. They're the ones who get the ratings. So ultimately it doesn't make sense to me that there isn't that kind of mutual respect that says 'You are valid to this production. And we understand that we are valid in producing it or broadcasting it."

"People are not sitting at the same table and to a large extent the exploitation will continue until people realise that we are all part of a very important value-chain but that ultimately actors need to have a voice. The South African Guild of Actors is the only organisation for actors that can speak on behalf of actors."

"Producers are at the whim of either financiers or the broadcasters. So they are also sitting within a box. The problem is you have to put content on screen and broadcasters and producers will do it at whatever cost."

"It was a number of years ago that I realised that the TV productions that were happening were X-amount per minute, and 10 years later, they were half of that. They're trying to produce the same quality programming, but for half the price. The problem is that actors are being paid less now than what they were paid then."

"Also, there is no kind of standard. There is no regulation in the industry," she said.

Carlynn De Waal-Smith said that "if you go to the SABC they don't have any archive of anybody's contracts. If you go and try to claim for repeat fees you have to basically give them the contract. Surely they should have it because they're responsible for paying repeat fees. They don't have any of that documentation."

"There is nobody in the value-chain that is taking responsibility."


A systemic issue
Unathi Malunga, an entertainment lawyer, said on eNCA that "it is a power-play because if you don't have leverage to negotiate a better deal then you are at the mercy of the other party"..

"I do think it's a systemic issue. I also think that the whole value-chain of this industry needs to be looked at because there are kinks at every point along the value-chain."

She said that "from the producer's point of view it is a budgetary issue because now they have to make the same content for less money. Any time that we ask that something be done, for example having safety officers on set, it becomes a budget issue, so nothing then gets addressed".

"If the other party has no power, the production company knows that you are not going to challenge. They know that you're not going to go to a lawyer, you're not going to take it to court, so it is the wild, wild west."

"Overseas what guilds like SAG do is they set minimum floors. They say this is what you can earn on a commercial, earn on a soap. Then producers cannot use non-union members - and that's the crux. 

"When you as an actor, something happens to you on set, who do you go to report to? That also needs to be sort out in terms of sexual harassment."


'You think it's going to get better and keep allowing it to happen'
Vatiswa Ndara said when she starred in the Home Affairs drama series, produced by Penguin Films for SABC1, "I walked away with R9 000 for the entire series".

"You think it's going to get better and you keep on allowing it to happen. I'm so upset with myself because I knew back then that there's something wrong with this but I just carried on because I did not want to rock the boat".

"Broadcasters all claim that we look out for the interest of everybody on set. What is it that they do, actually, to prove that?"

Ferguson Films responds after Vatiswa Ndara's open letter: Says the production company doesn't get money for repeats or licensing deals and that 'we're pretty much in the same boat as the artist'.

Following a scathing open letter by actress Vatiswa Ndara revealing alleged worker exploitation by Ferguson Films and "contributing to a rotten system" where she used to appear in two seasons of its iGazi produced drama series for MultiChoice's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel, Ferguson Films now says her allegations "paints a false picture".

Ferguson Films said that the production company "does not reap the financial benefits through repeat broadcasts, licensing deals and repackaging of the show" and that Ferguson Films is "pretty much in the same boat as the artist".

On Wednesday Ferguson Films, owned and managed by the actor-producer couple Connie and Shona Ferguson, released a statement through their attorney Brendan de Kooker, saying that "As actors ourselves and producers we are aware of the challenges facing the entertainment industry".

"We support 100% a need for the industry to be regulated and for the Performance Protection Amendment Bill to be signed sooner rather than later. With that said, the allegations made by various actors do not reflect the true position of the industry and paints a false picture, that may mislead the public."

"We attempted to negotiate with the actress and her agent in good faith and within the scope of the applicable production agreement, however the agent subsequently recused himself from the negotiations," Ferguson Films said.

"Thereafter we dealt with her manager.  They made it very clear that Vatiswa Ndara would not accept anything less than R700 000 for the 5-week shoot. She absolutely had every right to decline our offer, which she did, and we on the other hand as we could not meet her financial demand, due to contractual restraints, had every right to move on amicably, which we tried to do."

Ferguson Films said that "Just like actors the production company is not guaranteed work, whether the show is performing or not. We do not own the shows we produce under commission, and therefore have no right or say in what happens with shows post final delivery to the broadcaster."

Ferguson Films was not the production company in question in relation to the sad passing of Vatiswa Ndara's mother and her having to resume work shortly after. Conveniently, Vatiswa Ndara neglects to mention this fact therefore insinuating it was Ferguson Films."

"Shona and Connie Ferguson have other business interests apart from their production company and do not owe anyone an explanation as to how they manage their finances and lifestyle. The jab from Vatiswa Ndara is petty, unnecessary and uncalled for."

"Producers are held 100% accountable by the broadcaster as to how a production budget is utilized. It needs to be clear that these funds do not belong to the producer."

"The producer is merely a middleman between broadcaster, artist and crew. The producer is held accountable for every single line item on the production budget. What is due to the producer is the production markup at the end of the production and on final delivery."

The allegations towards Ferguson Films are consequently misguided, misdirected and misleading and can be seen as a ploy to defame and tarnish our name and reputation."

"There have been other slanderous and false allegations made by Dieketseng Mphuti [an actress who appeared on The Throne produced by Ferguson Films] and Katlego Malele [a crew member who worked on The Throne] which are being addressed separately by our legal team."

"Ferguson Films prides itself in producing quality shows, providing much needed employment to new and old talent and contributing to the growth of the industry. We will remain steadfast in our endeavour to treat everyone who works with us fairly and with the utmost respect".


ALSO READ: Actress Vatiswa Ndara quits Mzansi Magic's iGazi and slams Ferguson Films over alleged exploitation and 'contributing to a rotten system'; says artists are not valued and calls for bigger industry practice oversight.

Growing number of shows snub the Saftas as producers' unhappiness with the industry's South African TV and film awards grows.

In an ongoing industry boycott a growing number of South African shows are snubbing the Saftas with producers who again decided not to enter the 13th South African Film and Television Awards set for 2 March, with their creators and crews who won't attend and their stars who won't walk the red carpet.

The conspicuous absence of a string of shows from the badly-organised and shoddily-produced Saftas continues to make the award show, organised by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), look flawed, with the winners not deemed truly legitimate and reflective of the totality of the local TV industry's body of work.

Several of the most-watched weekday shows and dramas across channels on South African television don't want to be part of 2019's 13th Saftas, despite luring millions of viewers daily and collectively employing hundreds of people in the local TV industry.

Not entering the 2019 Saftas are Generations on SABC1, Muvhango on SABC2 and 7de Laan on SABC2.

Also missing-in-action are all of the shows from Ferguson Films like The Queen and The Throne on M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), including the eligible first season of The Imposter. M-Net's Arendsvlei on kykNET & Kie (DStv 145) is also missing.

Previously the producers of several production companies have had concerns around the Saftas secrecy and lack of transparency and inclusivity, the process and judging process, other issues that they said are not being addressed and getting resolved, and even called the Saftas "not fair".

Deliberately gone again from the Saftas is Generations - The Legacy, produced by Mfundi Vundla's Morula Pictures, for the second consecutive time. Generations is SABC1's and South Africa's second most-watched show and soap, pulling 7.9 million viewers. Generations' publicist didn't respond to a media enquiry seeking comment about its decision not to enter the Saftas.

Also deliberately gone again is Muvhango, SABC2's Venda soap produced by Duma Ndlovu's Word of Mouth productions for the fourth consecutive time and fifth time overall. Muvhango is SABC2's most-watched show and soap, pulling 6.1 million viewers. Muvhango's publicist didn't respond to a media enquiry seeking comment about its decision not to enter the Saftas.

Also deliberately absent again is 7de Laan, SABC2's Afrikaans language soap with 2.2 million viewers produced by Danie Odendaal Productions, for the third time in the history of the Saftas after it won as Best Soap in 2009, 2010 and 2011. In response to a media enquiry, 7de Laan said "we will not comment at this stage on our reasons for not entering the upcoming Safta awards".

Meanwhile, all of the popular shows produced under power-producer couple Connie and Shona Ferguson's Ferguson Films banner like The Queen, The Imposter first season (second season now produced by Seriti Films), and The Throne are nowhere to be seen at this year's Saftas. Shona didn't respond to a media enquiry seeking comment about the decision not to enter the awards show.

The telenovela The Queen is the most watched show on all of MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform with 1.5 million viewers, while The Throne lured 697 000 viewers in December 2018. The Imposter grabbed just over 1 million viewers during its first season run.

Not part of this year's Saftas without a reason given is kykNET's Afrikaans language telenovela, Arendsvlei although it's eligible. kykNET was asked why but didn't provide an answer although Arendsvlei's Saftas no-show is likely more due to an oversight from the producers than a deliberate snub.

Since the NFVF forces the producers of soaps and telenovelas to enter in other categories if they want to be listed in the overall Most Popular Soap/Telenovela category, these shows - although legitimately forming a huge part of the local genre - have once again been blocked from the Saftas category and can't be voted for.

It means that viewers - actively solicited to vote for the Saftas' Most Popular Soap/Telenovela - can't vote for what might really be most popular or a viewer's most liked show for instance Generations, Muvhango, 7de Laan, The Queen or The Throne, and again will mean a hollow victory for whatever soap is announced the winner.

Neo Moretlwe, NFVF communications coordinator, didn't respond to media enquiries made since Friday seeking comment on the growing number of producers snubbing the awards and other issues after the Saftas organisers announced the 2019 nominees.

The Saftas that will take place and be broadcast on 2 March on SABC2 at 19:00 and produced by Clive Morris Productions this year, is once again taking place at Sun City but in a new change is dropping the 2-night spectacle - completely doing away with the previously separate, technical awards evening that was a separate awards ceremony that wasn't televised.

The Saftas at Sun City has been criticised as an out-of-touch and not representative money-wasting soiree for film body elites, sponsors and TV executives to clink glasses in luxury while making the ceremony inaccessible to a lot of media, nominees, even its own lifetime achievement award winners not invited, with people having to drive back to Johannesburg and elsewhere late at night.

As in previous years, the Saftas organisers and judges once again also made some perplexing and head-scratching choices regarding nominees in categories for the 13th Saftas.

Some include VIA and Showmax's JAN, a fly-on-the-wall lifestyle documentary series following the life of South Africa's first Michelin-star Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen in Nice that is a very worthy nominee but snagged a nomination in the Best variety show category.

Meanwhile a reality competition show like Die Kontrak is a nominee as Best music show instead of Best reality show, while Starlight Classics 2017 on M-Net is a nominee under Best variety show although it belongs in the Best music show category.

Actress Mara Louw lashes out a producers Ferguson Films for allegedly treating her like trash, after The Queen on Mzansi Magic decided to move her to an on-call contract.

Mara Louw has caused a stir after the veteran actress lashed out in the Sunday tabloid press at Ferguson Films of Shona and Connie Ferguson after the producers told her that her character of Boi was being written out of The Queen on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).

By attacking a producer and production company publicly that gave her work, Mara Louw is likely lessening her prospects of being hired by other producers, out of fear that they might possibly be shamed in public by the actress when contracts change.

In September 2017 Mara Louw was given three months' notice that the story arc of her character Boitshwarelo "Boi" Maake in The Queen is coming to an end and that she would be moved from "permanent" to an on-call on-air talent on the show.

Ferguson Films told Mara Louw that "it is necessary to exit the character of Boi from The Queen and bring her back on a call-basis as and when the story arcs require".

On Sunday The Sunday Sun tabloid front page blared Mara Louw slamming Mzansi Magic's The Queen and the producers saying "I was treated like trash".

Ferguson Films says Mara Louw as a hired actress declined to move to the on-call contract.

Mara Louw told The Sunday Sun that "I declined to take their offer because they treated me like trash. I was on a global contract for a year, which was supposed to expire in May. Those people decided to come to me in September to tell me they had terminated my contract because the producers of the show had run out of ideas for my story line."

"With my experience in the showbiz industry and age, you can't treat me like a nobody."

M-Net's Mzansi Magic teams up with Ferguson Films for another drama series, The Imposter.

M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) has teamed up with Ferguson Films to produce another drama series, The Imposter, for the channel that will start on Sunday 8 October at 20:00.

Ferguson Films headed up by the husband and wife team of Shona and Connie Ferguson already produced Rockville, Igazi and The Queen for Mzansi Magic.

The 13-episode The Imposter follows the story of identical twin sisters, Mantwa and Matshepo Tau, who find themselves at war as a consequence of a moment that changed their lives.

One of the sisters breaks out of prison after spending seventeen years and takes over the wonderful life of her identical twin who is responsible for her incarceration.

"We are excited with the reception our dramas have received from the viewers thus far," says Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director of local entertainment channels.

"Our partnership with Ferguson Films has ensured that we attract an even larger audience. The Imposter is ground-breaking and it comes packed with all the ingredients of a great story touching on themes such as love, betrayal, revenge, secrets and manipulation."

Thishiwe Ziqubu takes the lead portraying the role of Matshepo alongside Mpumi Mpama (as Reginald), Khulu Skenjana (as Caesar), Omuhle Gela (as Lerato), Zenzo Nqobe (as Junior), Mary Twala (as Gogo) and Owen Sejake as Warden Moloisi.

The Queen telenovela extended to 5 days per week as Mzansi Magic adds a Friday episode; Rami Chuene, Thato Molamu joining the cast.

Its proven to be true South African television royalty and from August Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) is extending its telenovela The Queen from 4 to 5 days a week, adding Fridays on the back of boffo ratings.

With the additional weekday episode the cast is expanding with Rami Chuene joining in the role of Gracious, and with Thato Molamu added in the role of up-and-coming lawyer, Bakang.

The Queen - a fascinating local telenovela produced for one of the M-Net's channels provided to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform - remains a hugely under-reported success story in South Africa's television industry, although it typifies everything that the new generation of South African television production can and should be.

The Queen - with its most watched episode in June that pulled 955 891 viewers to Mzansi Magic in its 21:00 timeslot - is the little TV locomotive that could, produced by the wife and husband team Connie and Shona Ferguson and their Ferguson Films outfit.

The Queen made its debut on Mzansi Magic at the beginning of August 2016 and the past few months production and production capacity has been ramped up to adjust for the additional weekday episode that will see the telenovela enlarge to 5 days per week from 31 July 2017.

The Queen is not just a South African TV rarity because it's done by black producers, who are married to each other, and with one of them also having a starring on-screen role (Connie plays Harriet).

It is also that the show, revolving around the fictional Khoza family, also continues to receive both critical and widespread popular acclaim. 

Usually what the TV critics like, viewers don't - and vice versa - yet The Queen has proven to be the rare TV gem everybody likes to watch.

"The Queen has become one of Mzansi Magic's most popular shows," says Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director of local channels.

"As it stands, it broadcasts from Monday to Thursday, but its immense acclaim demands that we make it a full five-day a week show. Viewers just can't get enough of the twists and turns in the story, so we are giving them more."

The Queen has added seasoned actress Rami Chuene to the cast in the role of Gracious, with Thato Molamu added in the role of up-and-coming lawyer, Bakang. Magic Hlatshwayo returns as Kwanele's supportive dad, Alpheus.

Meanwhile viewers can't get enough of the flamboyant character Kgosi (played by Sello Maake ka-Ncube) who has created a new iconic South African TV character for the ages.


A Queen building out the TV biz
While shows like The Queen - and the process of how it is now being produced - is actually what the struggling South African public broadcaster should be doing, investing in, and nurturing in terms of exposing and training new talent in front of and behind-the-scenes - it is M-Net's Mzansi Magic that took the risk.

Being bold and spearheading the effort on this "new type" TV drama making, it is now Mzansi Magic that is getting the rewards with a show like The Queen that is produced on a much smaller budget than a mega-show like the KwaMashu set Uzalo of SABC1.

While drawing sizeable audiences to Mzansi Magic - which is what ultimately matters to the bottom-line - The Queen is also working and building out South Africa's TV-industry with novel re-invention. 

The popular show is both enlarging and upskilling the local TV production industry, while at the same time training and giving new people a change to learn and get experience as they go along for the ride.

It is something that the SABC is actually supposed to be doing - like the BBC - but is something that has steadily shifted to South Africa's pay-TV sector that doesn't need to, but that has picked up a large part of the responsibility with The Queen as a great example.

The Queen also does a lot of on-location shooting - for instance filming at rented homes multi-purposed as the set instead of paying for costly studio space - and using rooms, doors and exteriors of one property for instance to cleverly create numerous in-story locations.

The telenovela also gives a lot of young, and new, people opportunities in front of, and behind, the camera to learn and get a foot in the door of the TV biz - again something more in line with the remit of a public broadcaster but something that is clearly an important and integral part of making the show for The Queen's producers.

Black TV producer Shona Ferguson slams South Africa's TV industry; says 'you are disrespected'; 'white producers are never disrespected by black folks'.

The successful black TV producer Shona Ferguson has slammed South Africa's TV and film industry, saying black producers are "disrespected and ill-treated for doing good" and that "white producers are never disrespected by black folks".

It's not clear what prompted the actor-producer's statement on Friday evening on social media.

Shona Ferguson's public lashing over the perceived disrespect that black TV producers endure, however comes exactly a day after all of the highly rated productions from Ferguson Films were completely snubbed by the 11th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) that's set to take place in March at Sun City.

The 2017 Saftas is once again being embroiled in a boycott by South African TV producers who slammed the awards show organised by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) for its apparent lack of transparency and problems with the judging process.

In addition, a very glaring snub is Ferguson Films whose top shows like The Queen, Rockville and Igazi on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) were all shut out.

While The Queen, Rockville and Igazi as premium locally produced programming draw huge ratings for MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform on the M-Net packaged channel - meaning they are shows that viewers love and watch in droves - none of these series, its crews or casts are included for any recognition this year in any of the nominee categories at the 2017 Saftas. 

In a series of tweets on Friday evening, with no indication as to why he's saying so, Shona Ferguson who co-own Ferguson Films with his actress-producer wife Connie Ferguson, highlighted race issues in South Africa's TV and film industry and perceived ill-treatment.

"Don't focus on the flash and think it's been an easy ride. In fact it gets harder every day. Being a black producer is not easy," said Shona Ferguson.

"You are disrespected and ill-treated for doing good, creating jobs and giving people opportunities to do what they love and earn a living.

"You work hard to contribute to the industry and grow it, but it's the very people that you give these opportunities to that spit in your face. White producers are never disrespected by black folks. It's sad that it's our brothers and sisters who wish you ill because you are doing well."

"It's about the work. Connie and I, through Ferguson Films, have been delivering A+, because we work hard. We love and appreciate what we do."

"We are very grateful. We are not asking for special treatment. All I ask is you give us the same respect you give the white producers."

"This is a very small industry. Be careful how you treat people and how you behave. When you are out of work tomorrow, just know it's all on you," said Shona Ferguson, adding that "I just want to make great TV and films".