Media24's new pan-African lifestyle channel HONEY to launch on DStv on 15 February with Anele Mdoda making a TV talk comeback as the host of female panel show The Buzz.

by Thinus Ferreira

The new pan-African lifestyle channel HONEY will launch on 15 February on channel 173 on DStv with a collection of new programming including Anele Mdoda making a TV talk show comeback in a The View-inspired show featuring a set of women from different African countries as the panellists in The Buzz.

HONEY, produced by Media24 that is also responsible for the 5-year old Afrikaans lifestyle show VIA, will be carried by MultiChoice on its DStv satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Cameroon.

HONEY will be available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers.

HONEY is described as a lifestyle TV channel for "curious and connected Africans" and will offer a blend of African lifestyle content, including unscripted reality fare produced by African producers with African on-screen talent.

The channel's thematic programming will span from general lifestyle as well as food and cooking, to relationships and weddings, along with reality shows from various territories across the continent.

HONEY says that its "key ingredient" will be the channel's focus on authentic African storytelling, made possible through a groundbreaking content creation model in which the channel is partnering with producers in different African countries to create hundreds of hours of new African shows.

"HONEY showcases Africans living their best lives and depicts an honest modern-day view of our diverse countries, cultures and peoples," says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice Group CEO of general entertainment and connected video.

"This is a lifestyle channel made in Africa for Africans by Africans," she says. 

"DStv is thrilled to launch HONEY. The channel is part of our commitment to keep bringing fresh, authentic and local content to our African subscribers. For many years we've seen lifestyle is a popular genre on the continent and now our subscribers will see their own talent, food, celebrations and their families as the well-deserved hero".

Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's head of content, says "Africa's dynamism and way of life is the perfect ingredient for this exciting channel. HONEY is going to add sweet and sticky flavour to our subscriber offering".

"Lifestyle content is the ideal vehicle to reflect the continent's diversity and sameness. Everyone curious about food, style, and weddings is in for a treat." 

Izelle Venter, HONEY channel head, says "Media24 is delighted to collaborate with MultiChoice on this new adventure. The goal is to combine both companies' best qualities, experiences and knowledge to serve DStv subscribers with a new channel that is familiar, unique and entertaining".

Zinzi Velelo, HONEY's head of content, says "We are working with producers across the continent to ensure that the lifestyle stories we tell are real and relevant. Our goal is to showcase the characters, talent and dynamics of everyday African life as never before".

Here are some of the HONEY launch programmes and series descriptions:

The Buzz

South Africa's Anele Mdoda is the host of this talks show also featuring Pearl Umeh from Nigeria, Rachel Wakesho from Kenya, Zanna Katoka from the DRC, and Davina Mavuwa from Zimbabwe. Sparks fly as these five women, with different personalities and from different cultures, solve a viewer’s dilemma, whether concerning romance, health, side hustle or family and friends.

Pastor's Wives

Meet the women who keep things together in well-known religious households. This reality series, produced by Sonia Mbele who is also responsible for The Real Housewives of Joburg, features pastors' wives from across the continent as they do their best for their families and church communities. Expect opulence and plenty of behind-the-pulpit drama.

Love Swap

This Nigeria reality drama series presents a relationship challenge in which couples swap partners for a home-cooked meal. Each episode will culminate in a joint dinner featuring both couples, during which they share their impressions of each other and what they have learned about their relationships.

Making the menu

In each episode of this proudly Kenyan series, two food bloggers create a bespoke meal for a popular local eatery, with the restauranteur deciding which dish deserves a space on the menu. Viewers will also enjoy a journey through Nairobi's cultural attractions and the city's sights, sounds and traditions as the contestants look for inspiration outside the kitchen.

Yes! Ndio! Beeni!

Singer and actress Patricia Kihoro and the TV and radio host Foi Wambui team up for another Kenyan production. The two help lovers to ask someone if they will marry them and act as event planners to design a proposal that not only stays true to the couple’s love story but guarantees a "yes!".

Ehe, it’s a match

There is more matchmaking in this colourful dating show shot in Zambia, in which a cooking cupid invites two potential love birds to his or her home and cooks them a meal. After the meal, the two decide whether to meet up again at a local eatery. Will they or won’t they find love?

Shine Shine

Presented by Mbali Nkosi, this show focuses on personal transformation, with a makeover squad coming to the rescue of someone in need of a new look and a confidence boost to take the next big step in their life. Viewers can look forward to witnessing surprised and deserving contestants undergo dramatic transformations.

Hoot, cook, go

A vibrant food culture, particular palates and often curious cultures are put to the test as three teams compete for a prize on this show. Each team is given a chance to show off exactly who they are with a plate of food that they only have an hour to prepare. When they hear the hooter, it’s time to get in the car and move on to the next team’s house.

The next big trender

From 19 March 2021 the search is on for Africa’s hottest influencers. Six aspiring social stars from Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa will all compete to win over the opinionistas.

The just-married bed is first and then the first date as VIA picks up format rights for Date in Reverse and a South African Afrikaans version of the dating show that will be called Date Agteruit.

by Thinus Ferreira

Two strangers meet for the first time in the just-married bridal bed, then the wedding reception, then a family get-together all the way back to a possible first date ... if both decide to still show up.

That's the premise of a new TV dating reality show with Media24's Afrikaans lifestyle reality TV channel VIA (DStv 147) that is producing a South African version of the Date in Reverse format show, entitled Date Agteruit.

In it viewers will see the participants start the dating process at the end - in the just-married bed - followed by a wedding reception, after which the courtship process unspools all the way to the beginning with the big question: Will two people in the end both show up to their first date?

In Date in Reverse, with the Afrikaans version produced by Red Pepper, the first time two strangers meet will be in the bridal bed, followed by the wedding reception, the first family get-together to the first weekend getaway.

Will they sense a spark from the start? Will their potential in-laws put out their fire? And at the end of  this reverse day, will both feel like they want to show up to their first date?

Date in Reverse is a format show from Armoza Formats that signed a deal for a South African version as VIA tries to capture the same audience that tuned in for kykNET's (DStv 144) recent new can't-see-the-suitors dating format show adaptation Hoor My, Sien My, Soen My that was produced by Afrokaans.

Created by Volley Formats, Shenhar Productions Ltd. and Daniella Slavik, the show that is currently looking for date-testants, will follow two singles each week who are looking for love.

In one day, the couple will move backwards through major life events under the premise that they get a chance to "peek into their future" to avoid wasting time with the wrong person.

Izelle Venter, VIA channel boss, says "The whole world has gone mad for dating-as-social-experiment formats and so have we" in a statement.

"We’ve been playing around with the idea of sinking our teeth into a big, new dating format and when we stumbled upon Date in Reverse, we fell in love almost instantly."

"Relationships and dating are part of our DNA and Date in Reverse ticked several boxes for us. Not only does it speak to global viewers’ current fascination with 'dating experiments' but it is also conducive to lean TV production - which is something we aim for with all of our shows."

Louise Melzack, senior sales director of APAC, Nordics, GSA, GB and Africa at Armoza Formats, says "We are thrilled to be working on a South African adaptation of Date in Reverse with our fantastic partners at VIA."

"Following the success of three seasons of Marry Me Now, VIA is a great fit for this unique dating format and we look forward to seeing many more versions around the world."

Johan Lodewyk, the third last contestant in VIA's crowded house reality series Trap! Dis My Huis! dies from a chronic stomach ulcer. He was 37.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Bloemfontein contestant who ended up third last week in the just-concluded first season of the crammed house reality series, Trap! Dis My Huis! on VIA (DStv 147), Johan Lodewyk, has died at home. He was 37.

In a statement to TVwithThinus, Izelle Venter, VIA channel head says "It was a big shock to hear about the passing of Johan Lodewyk. He was one of the top-3 contestants in the reality show Trap! Dis My Huis!"

"We are grateful for the role he played in the programme and could see how compassionate he was. Our condolences go to his family and friends - we are thinking of them during this difficult time."

Netwerk24 first reported about Johan Lodewyk's passing. The salon owner of Salon Lodewyk died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Bloemfontein after paramedics failed to revive him after he spent the day sleeping on the couch.

On the TV show's Facebook group his sister Elmarie Rourke said that in order for speculation about the cause of his death to end that Johan had a chronic stomach ulcer and he started to bleed internally. "Please respect his family's feelings in this difficult time".

After his elimination in the final episode of Trap! Dis My Huis! last week as the third contestant and which left only two women and saw Marike Bouwer eventually win, Johan said he saw himself as "the last man standing". "I'm a winner in my heart because I was the last man".

Trap! Dis My Huis! was produced by Afrokaans.

The last thing he posted on Facebook was on Sunday afternoon - the YouTube video duet of Karen Zoid singing "Toe die Wereld Stil Gaan Staan" with Neil Sandilands.

On Facebook Marike Bouwer wrote: "My dear 1983 baby and friend! My heart is in pieces. You climbed so deep into my heart over the last 7 months. I will never forget you. Thanks for all your love, Rest in peace, angel."

Beloved Bonteheuwel TV foodie and chef Koelsoem Kamalie dead at 72.

by Thinus Ferreira

The beloved cook and TV chef "Tannie" Koelsoem Kamalie has died. She was 72.

Bonteheuwel's TV chef who also published several recipe books, Koelsoem Kamalie died on Saturday 11 April from kidney failure.

"It's with great sadness that we say goodbye to Tannie Koelsoem Kamalie," says VIA (DStv 147) in a statement on Saturday evening where Tannie Koelsoem appeared in two shows.

"I was privileged enough to meet the dear Tannie Koelsoem twice. She was such a spirited and happy woman. It was more than a privilege for VIA to broadcast her and Tannie Flori's show," says Izelle Venter, VIA channel boss.

"The stories of their food, their friendship over faith boundaries and their positivity despite adversity was truly the rendezvous of everything that VIA wanted to be. We'll always be thankful for Japie Gouws, the former head of the ATKV who encouraged us to create the show. Our thoughts are with her family."

Together with Tannie Flori Schikker, Koelsoem Kamalie co-hosted their own cooking show, Flori en Koelsoem se Kosse on VIA and produced by Leroux Botha and Nina Swart from Afrokaans, over two seasons in 2016 and 2017.

They first rose to fame when the two shared their fascinating recipes and stories during the afternoon on Tjailatyd on the SABC's Afrikaans radio station RSG.

In 2017 their show won an ATKV Mediaveertjie-award for best magazine show and was based on their cookbook Kook Saam Kaaps that was released in April 2016 by LAPA Uitgewers.

Their second cookbook about desserts entitled Soettand was released in 2017.

"She had a specific place in her kitchen in Bonteheuwel where she would always sit," says Nina Swart.

"From there she could see everything and keep her hand firmly on everything. She and Gadija, her daughter gave that kitchen life. It was the heart of the home, of their community, and if you were lucky enough to visit there, the heart of your entire world for the time you were there."

Handrie Basson, Afrokaans executive producer, says "Tannie Koelsoem was an example to all of us of generous humanity. She was maybe small in stature but her hear was big and full of love for her people and her community".

"Our Afrokaans team was privileged to work with Tannie Koelsoem and Tannie Flori. Just like their food, every moment spent with them was wonderful, healthy and enjoyable. We will miss Tannie Koelsoem terribly and cherish the beautiful memories".

Netwerk24 orders Op en Af as a second Afrikaans streaming soap; 65 webisode comedy series produced by Jester Productions and VIA will start in February 2020.

Media24's Afrikaans TV channel VIA is producing a second online video streaming soap, Op en af (Up and down), for the Netwerk24 portal that will play out in daily episodes from 3 February 2020.

The comedy of 65 episodes written by Leon Kruger and produced by Jester Productions of Diaan Lawrenson and Jody Abrahams, follows after Die Testament drama that marked Netwerk24's entry into Afrikaans online TV series. 

"The soap is about ordinary people who are a little bit eccentric and holds up a mirror," says Diaan Lawrenson. All the couples live in the same apartment building and are seemingly friends - although viewers later see that their interactions are loaded with jealousy and competition, and sugar-coated with some gossip."

The Op en af cast include Charlton George as André Mouton and Quanita Adams as his wife Bev who have been married the longest although Bev is hiding a secret life, while Neels van Jaarsveld's character Frans du Plessis dabbles as a stock broker and Nadia Valvekens' (Leande du Plessis) character is an online vlogger.

Marlo Minnaar and Nicole Fortuin play the recently-married Charlie and Ilse Daniels who are trying but struggling to get pregnant. Diaan Lawrenson also appears on-screen as Christelle, Bev's best friend.

Netwerk24 will roll out episodes of Op en af as 5-minute webisodes with a new episode on weekdays at 8:00 between 3 February and the end of April 2020.

"The reaction to our first soap, Die Testament, surpassed our expectations," says Henriëtte Loubser, Netwerk24 editor. "It's clear that such instant viewing enjoyment in Afrikaans is a format that resonates with Netwerk24's audience."

"While Die Testament had a dramatic approach our second soap is humoristic and provides a whole new experience."

Similar to Die Testament episodes of Op en Af will remain available on Netwerk24 indefinitely with subscribers who can watch a new episode daily or the omnibus over weekends. Eventually the entire series of 65 episodes will be available to binge watch.

Izelle Venter, VIA channel boss says "When we watched the first episodes and the actors felt completely like your friends on a Friday night we became really excited. We believe that Netwerk24 viewers will be just as excited over our new soap from the producers-duo Diaan Lawrenson and Jody Abrahams".

Media24's lifestyle TV channel VIA expands into scripted genre producing a new Afrikaans streaming soap Die Testament for Netwerk24.

Netwerk24 is adding a new video streaming soap in Afrikaans, Die Testament (The Will), with the 65-episodes that will run for 5 minutes each and that will be released, one per day, from Monday 2 September.

Die Testament, produced by Wolf Baby Productions, is primarily being filmed at Maison Noir in Hout Bay, Cape Town, with production oversight by Media24's Afrikaans lifestyle channel VIA (DStv 147) as executive producer.

Die Testament was created by Nicole Bailey, Gerhard Mostert (director) and Alex Burger, with Alex Burger as head writer.

The story revolves around a wealthy family shocked by the death of the patriarch. An ambitious older brother, a peacemaker sister and a rebel brother come together with their dad's young lover for the reading of the will - and a flurry of unexpected surprises await.

Die Testament will run for three months until 29 November behind Netwerk24's paywall with the cast including Nico Panagio (as "perfect" son Bastian Weyers), Rolanda Marais (sister Annchen Weyers) and Andahr Cotton (younger musician brother Jacques Weyers), Amrain Ismail-Essop (the patriarch's lover Sandra Maritz), including appearances by actors like Sandra Prinsloo as the loan-shark Natasja Ludick.

A new episode will be released at 08:00 on weekdays, with users who will be able to binge-watch or catch up over weekends.

"Out of all of our projects this one excites me most," says Henriëtte Loubser, Netwerk24 editor. 

"More people are streaming TV entertainment and it just makes sense that we also offer it as part of our package - in a flash format of 5 minutes per episode in order for people to fit it into their day and can watch it in any place on their computer or smartphone".

"I couldn't put the script of Die Testament down when I started reading it. Our partner VIA, together with the production company, is ensuring a first-class product."

Henriëtte Loubser says "Digital platforms offer so much more opportunities than just the written word. Worldwide digital news services are using these opportunities to talk to their audiences through audio, video and the like".

"Netwerk24 is a platform for breaking news, but it is also an Afrikaans destination site - showcasing the content of popular Afrikaans magazines in digital format. We are not only about news, we are also about lifestyle and entertainment."

"It made sense to use the expertise available within Media24’s Afrikaans TV channel, VIA, to broaden our offer to include TV-like entertainment in the form of a soapie, a genre that is very popular among Afrikaans audiences."

"The soapie is produced specifically for Netwerk24, taking into account our audience’s preferences and habits, and the episodes of 5 minutes each is ideal for a digital platform, making it easy for people to watch anywhere and anytime, on any device."

Izelle Venter, VIA channel head, says "because VIA is limited to content in the lifestyle genre, we thought of a plan to spread our wings in the wonderful world of scripted television".

"Week after week TV ratings show how people love soaps. We created this online soap to fit in with the fast world of digital content. With Netwerk24 as one of our media sisters if was unavoidable synergy."

"The enormous amount of television and video content available online make viewer choice almost more difficult. We want to make it easier and more enjoyable for Afrikaans audiences - here is a fun story of 5 minutes every weekday that you can watch while you're waiting for the water in the kettle to boil or waiting for the kids at rugby practice," says Izelle Venter.

VIA commissions format reality show, Trap! Dis my huis, with 50 people living in a 2-bedroom house until there's one left, from Afrokaans.

Media24's Afrikaans lifestyle reality channel VIA (DStv 147) has commissioned Trap! Dis my huis, an Afrikaans reality version of the international TV format, Get the f*ck out of my house for broadcast on the channel in January 2020.

Trap! Dis my huis, is produced by Afrokaans, also responsible for Survivor South Africa on M-Net and the upcoming new format bodycam dating reality show, Hoor My, Sien My, Soen My for M-Net's Afrikaans kykNET (DStv q44) channel.

In Trap! Dis my huis 50 stranger compete and start out living in the same cramped space as housemates in a 2-bedroom house as they're whittled down to a final winner getting R600 000.

The 50 have to share food, toiletries, and bedding for only two people for three weeks.

Filming of Trap! Dis my huis will take place during October 2019 and is based on an international TV format that has already been done in the Netherlands, Germany, and Brazil.

Housemates who feel overwhelmed by the experience have the option of leaving the house and, in the process, the competition at any time. Contestants are also frequently voted out of the house by their fellow housemates.

For the three-week period, the housemates must get by on supplies for only two people, but they will also have the opportunities to obtain more food, toiletries, and bedding for the house. 

R1 million is saved in the house’s money pot and contestants have the option of using this money to buy supplies for the house. Supplies can also be won by means of mini-competitions and games.

"We're ecstatic about this new format," says Izelle Venter, VIA channel head. "We decided it's well-suited to our current zeitgeist – the world is a bit wild, confusing, and an unexpected adventure. And so is this format! What’s more, the concept of privacy gets pushed to the limits."

The Afrikaans lifestyle reality show, JAN, on VIA and Showmax following the Michelin-star chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen in France, renewed for a second season starting in spring-2019.

The Afrikaans lifestyle reality show, JAN, on VIA (DStv 147) and Showmax has been renewed for a second season that will start later this year in spring-2019.

JAN, following the French and European adventures of the South African Michelin-star chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen who has a restaurant, JAN, in Nice, France, is produced by Carien Loubser of Brainwave Productions.

JAN won a Golden Horn trophy as Best variety show this past Saturday at the National Film and Video Foundation's 13th South African Film and Television Awards. Besides JAN, VIA also won another award for the agricultural show, Nisboere.

"We are proud to have helped share this top-quality Afrikaans content with the world," says Izelle Venter, VIA channel head.

"We are truly thankful to the production teams and the talent who made all four these Safta-nominated shows possible."

The second season of JAN is scheduled to start in the spring of 2019 later this year. In the second season of JAN viewers will get a more in-depth look into his restaurant in Nice, France.

VIA adds a new weekly, Afrikaans agriculture magazine programme, Landbouweekliks, to its schedule with presenter Ivor Price.

VIA has added a new weekly agricultural Afrikaans magazine programme, Landbouweekliks, starting on Tursday 9 January at 19:30 with presenter Ivor Price.

Like Megaboere on kykNET, Landbouweekliks (Agriculture weekly) will interview and profile Afrikaans South African farmers, looking at their vision and life journeys.

Experts will also share advice and information, and the magazine Landbouweekblad's editorial staffers will also make appearances.

Ivor Price will visit several farmers - from winter to summer grain, animal to fruit and wine farmers and those operating successful empowerment projects.

Landbouweekliks has two seasons of 26 episodes of half an hour each and is produced by Brand Republic.

“VIA's lifestyle content provides the ideal platform for a modern agriculture programme placing an emphasis in South Africans farming forward," says Izelle Venter, VIA channel head.

"The programme won't just touch the agricultural community, but also ordinary consumers who are eager to gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from".

Chris Burgess, Landbouweekblad editor-in-chief, says Landbouweekliks will profile "exceptional people with a unique perspective on life that will surprise ordinary viewers. Experience farmers in a way you haven't seen before".

VIA adds French and South African fusion cooking show, JAN, with Michelin-star chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen from 24 October.

VIA (DStv 147) is adding a new cooking show blending French and South African food fusion with JAN that will be starting on Tuesday 24 October at 19:00.

In a departure from the Afrikaans lifestyle channel's shows, JAN, with the South African chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, not all episodes will be 100% Afrikaans but will incorporate Afrikaans, French and Italian, with English subtitles.

Besides the linear broadcast on VIA, JAN is also made available on Naspers' subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service Showmax.

JAN follows Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, South Africa's first Michelin-star chef, as he combinesFrench and South African cooking in his restaurant, JAN, in Nice, France. 

According to the producers, JAN will give viewers "an intimate look into the life of a creative artist, and also the processes that inspires Jan-Hendrik to create his award-winning culinary creations".

"We discover how his childhood on a dairy farm in Mpumalanga prepared him for opening his restaurant, and why he received the highest accolade in the restaurant business three years later".

Izelle Venter, VIA's channel head, says "Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen is one of South Africa's exports that fills us with pride. It is a great honour to be able to explore his inner world through the camera lens".

"The programme is in Afrikaans, English, French and Italian, but the entire series has English subtitles, so everyone can watch it."

The first season of JAN consists of 9 hour long episodes. Guest appearances include Springbok players Duane Vermeulen and Juandré Kruger as well as actress Julia Stiles, head chef at JAN, Kevin Grobler and local chef Rutger Eysvogel.

JAN starts in his restaurant on the French Riviera, where Hollywood stars, international sportspeople and other VIP guests queue for a table. 

The cameras then follow Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen to the small Italian village of Apricale, where he goes to recharge his batteries and to explore distinctive ingredients in the company of local characters. 

Each episode ends off with a spectacular dish inspired by the episode's characters and ingredients.

"Guests at my restaurant should not only say they enjoyed eating there – they must say they had a great experience," says Jan-Hendrik van der Wethuizen who is in Cape Town for the launch of JAN on VIA.

"The same goes for the series: we are taking the viewers on a visual and sensory journey. If viewers feel that the programme was an experience for them as well, then we have done good work."

'Unexplained' sound problems mar VIA's episode of Bobby & Karlien: In Jou Skoene on Wednesday night; viewers asked to watch repeats.

Sound problems marred VIA (DStv 147) and the show Bobby & Karlien: In Jou Skoene on Wednesday night.

The Afrikaans lifestyle channel from Media24 on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform told viewers that they will have to watch a repeat of the episode at 22:00 after the technical sound problems have been fixed.

An unexplained sound crisis marred the 7th episode of Bobby & Karlien: In Jou Skoene. "We have an unexplained problem," said Izelle Venter, VIA channel head.

VIA apologised to viewers and asked them to tune in at 22:00 on Wednesday night, Thursday at 17:00 and 19:00 and on Sunday at 18:30 for repeat broadcasts of the specific Bobby & Karlien: In Jou Skoene episode.

In the episode the M-Net (DStv 101) The Voice SA coach Bobby van Jaarsveld joins an anti-rhino poaching unit.

On social media VIA told viewers that the week's episode has an "unexplained sound problem. The team is working to fix it. We humbly apologise. The programme went through all the usual processes. We will keep you up to date".

The episode at 20:30 was broadcast without sound. After 20 minutes it was replaced by a rebroadcast of the previous week's episode.

Izelle Venter takes over as new channel head of VIA from March; Afrikaans female interest channel will start selling commercials through DStv Media Sales soon.

Izelle Venter is becoming the new channel head of VIA (DStv 147) from 1 March, taking over from Cheryl Uys-Allie whose one-year contract is ending and who is leaving the channel.

Izelle Venter has been the editor of Media24's editorial solutions team and launched the VIA channel primarily aimed at Afrikaans female viewers in November 2015.

VIA will start selling commercials from March through MultiChoice's advertising division, DStv Media Sales.

"We are delighted that Izelle Venter, whose many skills include an instinctive understanding of various audiences, has agreed to step up to the plate," says Esmaré Weideman, Media24 CEO.

"The knowledge I have gained of the diverse Afrikaans audiences is the main reason I am able to take on this wonderful challenge," says Izelle Venter.

"I'm looking forward to building the channel with the help of our experienced VIA team as well as our loyal producers".