BET Africa unveils Redemption as its second BET Original telenovela, set inside a South Africa megachurch run by powerful Zikode family starring Simon Zikode, Kwanele Mthethwa and Tina Jaxa.

by Thinus Ferreira

Paramount Africa's second locally-produced telenovela entitled Redemption starting on 26 September at 18:00 on BET (DStv 129) is set within the world of a South African megachurch starring Themba Ndaba as celebrity pastor Simon Zikode and Kwanele Mthethwa as his daughter Faith.

Similar to BET's first telenovela Isono which lasted a single season and is currently getting a re-airing on e.tv as South Africa's only commercial free-to-air TV channel, Redemption as a BET Africa Original will also get a free-to-air rebroadcast a few months later on e.tv.

Redemption is produced by Matsimela Films from the merged Seriti Films and Burnt Onion Productions, with the story starting after the disappearance of Simon Zikode. 

His daughter Faith, who is on the cusp of an international music career, drop everything to come to her family's rescue.

As Faith becomes immersed in the church organisation and family affairs "she uncovers devastating secrets about those closest to her and is confronted with her own skeletons. Dark truths come to light and the Zikode family are faced with many baffling decisions as they scramble to salvage the family’s legacy," BET Africa says.

Mond Twala, senior vice president of editorial and general manager for Paramount Africa and peer lead for BET International, says "Our mission at BET Africa is to engage the black community and truly drive black excellence in our industry and through the stories we tell".

"The team behind this BET Africa Original is exceptional. Redemption is a co-production by two of the most notable production companies in South Africa; Seriti Films who are known for their masterful storytelling and Burnt Onion Productions who deliver world-class productions. This, together with the stellar cast of Redemption, guarantees an enthralling viewing experience for our audiences across the continent."

Leanne Kumalo, Seriti Films managing director and executive producer, says "We are very excited about our collaboration with Burnt Onion, and strongly believe the co-production has elevated the project. Together the two companies have been able to really add something dynamic to the industry".

Leanne Kumalo, Katleho Ramaphakela, Rethabile Ramaphakela and Tshepo Ramaphakela are executive producers on Redemption, with Thabang Moleya, Nozipho Nkelemba and Athi Petela as directors and Siphosethu Tshapu and Kagiso Mogale serving as head writers.

The Redemption cast includes Tina Jaxa as pastor's wife Evelyn Zikode, described as "a classic matriarch who guards her nest like a hawk". Sthandiwe Kgoroge plays a villain BET Africa isn't giving a character description yet.

The rest of the Redemption cast includes Seputla Sebogodi, Yonda Thomas, Pearl Modiadie and Sparky Xulu, along with newcomers Nkone Mamejta and Toka Mtabane. 

Also part of the cast are Kwanele Mthethwa, Pakamisa Zwedala, Yonda Thomas, Mmarona Motshegoa, Peter Mashigo, Helen Lebepe, Sonni Chiediebere, Pearl Modiadie, Luthando Mthembu, Zenzo Ngqobe, and Majorie Langa.

Themba Ndaba says who plays Simon says "Redemption will bring much-anticipated drama, it will ignite fervent conversations around day-to-day experiences of the ordinary South African and shine a light on value systems within African communities. The energy on set is electrifying and we can’t wait to see that translate on screen".

Redemption will have new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays on BET Africa at 18:00 with a nightly repeat at 21:30.

Clive Morris Productions of ViacomCBS Networks Africa's Isono telenovela on BET Africa reveals 'exceptionally huge challenges' that the Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown caused.

by Thinus Ferreira

At an Isono wrap party for ViacomCBS Networks Africa's likely cancelled first telenovela on BET Africa (DStv 129) producers for the first time revealed the "exceptional huge challenges" that the Clive Morris Productions show faced because of Covid-19 and that it oddly never discussed or told the media during its actual production run.

At a wrap party in Illovo in Johannesburg in late November for Isono, it now came to light how the production struggled with Covid-19 challenges.

Clive Morris Productions, ViacomCBS Networks Africa and DNA Brand Architects didn't want to tell the media about the wrap party where executives spoke and didn't bother to involve media, although Isono, BET and ViacomCBS Networks Africa's publicity and marketing division were eager for media support during the show's run.

The Covid-19 challenges of Isono is something that the producers and ViacomCBS Networks Africa for whatever reasons didn't talk to media about during Isono's actual production or broadcast run and that would have been helpful for South Africa's film and TV industry to know at the time. 

Clive Morris who spoke at the event, reportedly said that "Covid is not something anybody could have predicted or planned for, so when you're working on a finite production budget, immediately when you have to start deviating in the way in which you produce it adds a lot of costs".

"So the very first thing was shutting down the production and trying to get some kind of timeline as to when we might be back in production. At that stage, nobody knew how long the first wave was gonna last, or the subsequent waves thereafter."

"Obviously Viacom being a global group, the American head office took a view around when they felt it would be safe for us to re-enter into production. And that was quite a lengthy period. We were off the floor for two months on the production."

"Through the partnership, Viacom was able to raise additional funds to help pay cast and crew retainers over the course of that time so that, you know, people still had income, which was an extra cost of production," Clive Morris said.

"Then because you're not producing the minutes per day, you still have got the running costs. And then over and above that we now had to start factoring in things like PPE, hiring additional space to be able to shift production off the sets so that we could social distance properly."

"We had to limit the number and rewrite scenes that would be deemed as unsafe Covid working environments, at that time."

"So all of that had an impact from the cost on the ground, we brought in a compliance company, which is a public safety company to do regular testing and to help us manage compliance on set.

"So all of these things were exceptional huge challenges that every producer had to work with across the board," Clive Morris said.

ALSO READ: After M-Net axed Legacy, SABC3’s The Estate and BET Africa’s Isono are likely also on the TV chopping block for cancellation.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Clive Morris Productions suspends filming on Isono as ViacomCBS Networks Africa and BET Africa's first South African produced telenovela because of growing Covid-19 pandemic.

After M-Net axed Legacy SABC3’s The Estate and BET Africa’s Isono are likely also on the TV chopping block for cancellation.

by Thinus Ferreira

South African television primetime could likely claim two more TV victims with the cancellation of the telenovela Legacy on M-Net (DStv 101) at 19:00 after two seasons that might very well be followed by the axing of two other local weekday telenovelas, The Estate on SABC3 at 19:00 and Isono on BET (DStv 129) at 21:30.

Both The Estate on SABC3 getting a months-old rebroadcast on SABC1 to try and lure more viewers, as well as Isono on BET, have co-incidentally been produced by the same production company, Clive Morris Productions, and neither have yet been renewed for a second season.

The SABC didn't respond to multiple media queries made over the past week about The Estate and why it hasn't been renewed yet. 

Ratings kept falling for The Estate in the tough timeslot reaching only a measley 286 902 viewers during primetime at most on SABC3 during October in the 19:00 timeslot. On SABC1 older episodes of The Estate as part of a repurposed rerun averaged 2.3 million viewers in October.

The Estate that was never a viewership success for SABC3 plunged further in the ratings race and suffered further damage after e.tv launched its House of Zwide earlier this year in the same competitive timeslot.

At a recent red carpet wrap party for Isono neither Clive Morris Productions nor ViacomCBS Networks Africa wanted to say a word about a second season that had also finished production on the first season.

Asked if Isono is cancelled as BET's first locally-produced telenovela, Monde Twala, senior vice president and general manager for ViacomCBS Networks Africa didn't give a specific answer but said "BET Africa remains committed to make significant investment into the local production industry, the launch of our first star-studded daily drama format Isono has been popular with viewers across the continent".

"Africans are among the most devoted and enthusiastic viewers of daily novelas and we are honoured to be a part of this long tradition of true local storytelling."

"We continue to focus on providing audiences with jam-packed locally-brewed content, celebrating black culture and authentic storytelling."

"There will be a number of game-changing announcements for the channel as we get into the new year and we encourage our viewers to keep tuned in for the latest in upcoming local content."

ALSO READ: Clive Morris Productions of ViacomCBS Networks Africa's Isono telenovela on BET Africa reveals 'exceptionally huge challenges' that the Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown caused.

Actress Lindiwe Ndlovu has died at 45, honoured as 'an unsung incredible actress who will leave a huge space in the creative world of acting'.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African actress Lindiwe Ndlovu known for multiple roles on South African television and stage has died. She was 45.

The exact cause of death is unknown but Lindiwe Ndlovu who just celebrated her 45th birthday this past Friday had been suffering from medical issues according to her agent and passed away in her sleep on Monday morning, 11 January 2020.

"It is with heavy hearts and unimaginable sadness that we bring you the news of Lindiwe Thembekani Ndlovu passing in her home this morning 11 January," her longtime agent long-time agent Lynne Higgins at Gaenore Artiste Management says in a statement.

"To us Lindiwe was family but to many she was so much more - an unsung, incredible actress who will leave a huge space in the creative world of acting. Her incredible passion, deep respect for her craft and unrivalled commitment to her career evident in every project she took on."

"Lindiwe’s love for the stage is reflected in the many productions she gave her heart and soul to.  A large number of them being performed at the Market Theatre, to which she had strong ties with her entire career, even spending her younger days completing two years of studies there."

"From a TV and film production aspect, there are too many of her roles to mention, each of them giving herself into the character and process heart and soul."

"What we will remember most is her love and unwavering dedication to her friends and family. She had a larger than life presence that was undeniably infectious to those who loved her."

Lindiwe Ndlovu appeared in Isono, the first locally produced telenovela for ViacomCBS's BET (DStv 129) produced by Clive Morris Productions.

Clive Morris Productions in a statement says "We are so saddened by the news that multi-award winning actress Lindiwe Ndlovu has passed away. We will always remember the great contribution she made to our industry. It was an honour to have her part of our cast on Isono as her last role".

Lindiwe Ndlovu won a SAFTA award in 2013 for her role in the 2013-film Little One. She also appeared in films like Safari in 2013 and 2011's Winnie Mandela. 

On television she portrayed the role of Sponono in Zabalaza on M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel, and had roles in Agent (SABC1/Netflix SA), Backstage (e.tv), Egoli (M-Net), eHostela (Mzansi Magic), Erfsondes (SABC2), Generations (SABC1), Ga Re Dumele (SABC2) and Greed & Desire (Mzansi Magic).

She also appeared in Home Affairs (SABC1), Ifalakhe (Mzansi Magic), Isidingo (SABC3), Lockdown (Mzansi Magic), Mazinyo Dot Q (SABC2), Ses' Top La (SABC1), Soul City (SABC1), Scandal! (e.tv), Stokvel (SABC2), Umlilo (e.tv) and Uzalo (SABC1).

Coronavirus: Clive Morris Productions suspends filming on Isono as ViacomCBS Networks Africa and BET Africa's first South African produced telenovela because of growing Covid-19 pandemic.

by Thinus Ferreira

Production has been suspended on Isono, BET's first locally-produced South African weekday telenovela, because of the growing Covid-19 pandemic in the country with ViacomCBS Networks Africa that has also pushed out and changed the planned Isono premiere date of 27 July to "coming soon".

In a statement Clive Morris Productions (CMP) says that "In light of the ongoing uncertainty around the Covid-19 in our country, and considering we have entered the peak phase of the pandemic as confirmed by the local authorities, we have made the tough decision to temporarily suspend all production activities on the set of Isono with immediate effect."

Clive Morris Productions' first priority is the safety and health of the Isono cast and crew."

ViacomCBS Africa says that as a result of the temporary production suspension, the Isono premiere date has been postponed.

Isono, that revolves around the "7 deadly sins" of a dysfunctional family headed by an evil matriarch has Rami Chuene, Nthati Moshesh, Bohang Moeko, Senzo Radebe, Anga Makubalo, Tokollo' TK' Sebothoma and Didintle Khunou as part of the cast.

Meanwhile MultiChoice and ViacomCBS Networks Africa have been running for weeks, and continue to broadcast, DStv promos that include Isono and doesn't even list the now postponed 27 July starting date but an erroneous "6 July".