eNCA adds eNCA Business as a new weekly business show on Thursday nights anchored by Rofhiwa Madzena from 11 March.

by Thinus Ferreira

eNCA (DStv 403) is adding eNCA Business as a new weekly business show from 11 March at 21:00 with the programme that will be anchored by Rofhiwa Madzena.

eNCA Business is produced by the TV news channel's business news team where Devan Murugan has been appointed as business editor in October 2000 although eNCA at the time made no announcement about his promotion.

Rofhiwa Madzena worked in radio as a reporter and then as an on-air producer for news and current affairs at CNBC Africa (DStv 410) after which she joined eNCA as a business anchor and producer in 2018.

Melitta Ngalonkulu was a financial journalist and also hosted a business-related podcast show prior to joining eNCA in November 2020 as a business anchor and producer. 

The eNCA reporters Heidi Giokos and Mawande Kheswa will also contribute to eNCA Business.

eNCA says that eNCA Business "will reflect the various business issues that made news in the week and look ahead at what is unfolding in the business world".

Devan Murugan says "The role of business in the nation’s overall recovery is now underscored like never before. The scope and opportunity to share the South African and African business context is limitless".

"eNCA Business will uncover the impact that big business has on consumers and the economy, as well as share insights and learnings from business players across the fraternity."

Coronavirus: eNCA reporter Heidi Giokos tests Covid-19 positive, says she's speaking out to break down stigma around the virus.

by Thinus Ferreira

The eNCA (DStv 403) financial reporter Heidi Giokos has tested positive for Covid-19, days after her on-air colleague Shahan Ramkissoon at the TV news channel also got a positive test result and says she is speaking out because she wants to help break the stigma around Covid-19 people.

Heidi Giokos, the younger sister of TV reporter Eleni Giokos working for CNN International (DStv 401) from CNN's Johannesburg bureau, said that she wanted to make her Covid-19 positive result known and talk about it to help break down the stigmatisation that clings to Covid-19 people in some quarters.

Heidi Giokos is the latest eNCA journalist cloistered at home because of Covid-19 after Shahan Ramkissoon and other eMedia staffers tested positive for the virus at the Hyde Park headquarters of eMedia Investments.

On Thursday eNCA was asked if it had any comment but the TV news channel didn't respond to the media enquiry.

This past Saturday evening the Afrikaans TV news bulletin eNuus was also forced to broadcast a pre-recorded episode instead of live news on kykNET (DStv 144) after it was also forced to shut down for a deep-clean because of a Covid-19 case.

"I've tested positive for Covid-19. I've only had mild symptoms but I'm OK and I know I will overcome this. My priority remains to keep my family safe," Heidi Giokos revealed on Thursday.

"I wanted to speak out because for some reason there's a stigma and despite my constant efforts to wash hands, santise everything, wear a mask, I realise that many of us are exposed to people, will take on that risk," she says.

TV reporters and staffers at the SABC and its SABC News (DStv 404) division, eNCA and its e.tv News and eNuus divisions, as well as Newzroom Africa (DStv 405) have all been affected and are grappling with Covid-19 cases.


ALSO READ: Coronavirus: eNCA anchor Shahan Ramkissoon tests Covid-19 positive shortly after other 2 other Johannesburg-building staffers; will self-isolate along with rest of affected shift workers for 14 days.
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: eMedia's Afrikaans TV news eNuus on kykNET disrupted on Saturday because of positive Covid-19 case in its Hyde Park newsroom.
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Newzroom Afrika staffers test positive for Covid-19, prompts more changes at the TV news channel's Linden newsroom including cordoning off sections, one-way corridors and an end to desk swapping.
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: A fourth SABC staffer tests positive for Covid-19, the second at its Auckland Park headquarters.
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: etv News boss Nisa Allie pays tribute to cameraman Lungile Tom who died from Covid-19: The loyal 'fist-pumping guy who documented everything and who liked a muffin and coffee for breakfast'.