Nominees for the 11th South African Film and Television Awards 2017: Once again odd nominees, head-scratchers and snubs.

The nominees in the various categories for the 11th South African Film and Television Awards 2017 were announced on Thursday morning at The Forum in Bryanston, Johannesburg, once again including some odd nominees, head-scratchers and snubs.

The announcement was followed by a panel discussion afterwards where judging chairperson John Kani said the aim is to move the Saftas to a level where it means something.

The Saftas, taking place in March at Sun City this year for the first time, is once again mired in controversy this year for soaps that decided not to enter and were therefore locked out of the Most Popular TV Soap category which is a viewers' vote.

Issues around several other aspects also remain, including questions around the judging, categories and representation.

Nominee head-scratchers include Trevor Gumbi as a nominee for best actor and Bob Mabena as best TV presenter, while people are wondering where the various shows from Connie and Shona Ferguson' Ferguson Films are.

Awkwardly, High Rollers that SABC3 abruptly cancelled and wanted to get rid of has been nominated for several awards in talent and technical categories and is also a nominee in the best TV soap category.

Sarah Graham Food Safari and Jou Ma se Chef are seen as variety shows.

The various nominees also once again show a big disconnect between who and what got nominated and what South African viewers are actually watching (ratings).

And where are the black films - or are South Africa not making any? Happiness is a Four Letter Word got nominated for best hair and make-up and Renate Stuurman for best supporting actress.

As usual - partly through sistemic design, partly through just how the Saftas judging are set up - the real quality content on South African television is not recognised, not visible, and not properly being represented as what's really the best of South African television of the past year.

News programmes as TV reporters are completely excluded from the Saftas - think of the stellar work down during #FeesMustFall and all the other big breaking news and controversies of 2016.

Meanwhile shows and series, specifically local magazine shows in various different genres are not getting the proper respect and inclusion, all lumped together in a badly organised hotchpotch of "magazine" and variety" shows.

The fascinating thing is how the Saftas categories are basically devoid of local shows made for pay-TV in South Africa - programming that has clearly better productions in general with bigger budgets, higher production values, presenter skills and that ends up looking better on screen.

Bob Mabena gets nominated as best TV presenter in a TV awards show system where a Devi Sankaree Govender who exposed Eskom and Iman Rappetti are not.

It stretches credibility that The Man Cave is nominated as part of what was supposedly the best on television in 2016 in South Africa - yet something like great local election coverage is ignored.

Open the time capsule in a century's time, and going by Saftas nominees, someone will have a very skewed perception of what South African television in 2016 supposedly was.

Trashy advertiser-funded productions (AFP) like Coke Studio and Xperia Mashlab - basically long advertisements to market brands - are "best music shows"? But Lip Sync Battle Africa not included?

Besides an overload of English language programming, Afrikaans films almost have a lock on the Saftas film categories. Where are the other 9 South African languages?

Yes, the Venda language Muvhango is boycotting the Saftas, but where are the shows and films in South Africa's other languages? They can't be all that bad not to get any nominations?

The nominees list for the 11th Saftas once again contained spelling mistakes of titles and people's names - amateurish and disrespectful of the TV and film industry it says it serves and looks shoddy. Shephards? Thwala? Really?

Here is a rundown of the various categories and nominees for the 11th Saftas. Several technical categories for directing, production, sound, script writing and others exist as well, but are not listed here:


Best Wildlife programme
Africa's Trees of Life
Brothers in Blood: The Lions of Sabi Sand
Soul of the Elephant

Best documentary feature
Alison
Doc-U-Mentally
Nobody's Died Laughing

Best youth show
100% youth
Craz-e Sistahood
MTV Base meets Bill Gates

Best children's show
Challenge SOS
Disney Cookabout
Silly Seasons - Piece of Cake

Best factual education show
Diamond River Hunters
Now or Never
Ocean Adventurer

Best actuality show
Carte Blanche
Saving Microbabies
Spieners

Best magazine show
50/50
All Access Mzansi
The Man Cave

Best variety show
Expresso
Jou Ma se Chef
Sarah Graham Food Safari I

Best talk show
Real Talk with Anele
Republiek van Zoid Afrika
The Chatroom

Best reality show
Ultimate Braai Master
Vrydag4uur
Weg! Agterpaaie Nimibie

Best game show
Musiek Roulette
Noot vir Noot
Point of Order

Best music show
Coke Studio
Jam Sandwich
Xperia Mashlab

Best international format show
Clash of the Choirs
The Great South African Bake Off I
The Voice South Africa I

Best TV drama
Bloedbroers
Heist I
Sober Companion

Best actress in a TV drama
Tiffany Barbuzano (Sober Companion)
Brenda Ngxoli (Hustle)
Linda Sokhulu (Sokhulu & Partners II)

Best supporting actress in a TV drama
Jana Cilliers (Die Boekklub)
Tina Jaxa (Isikizi I)
Samela Tyelbooi (It's Complicated I)

Best actor in a TV drama
Neels van Jaarsveld (Bloedbroers)
Jerry Mofokeng (Heist I)
Trevor Gumbi (Sober Companion)

Best supporting actor in a TV drama
Chris van Niekerk (Die Boekklub)
Tumisho Masha (Saints & Sinners II)
Warren Masemola (Heist I)

Best TV soap/telenovela
High Rollers
Isibaya
The Road

Best actor in a soap/telenovela
Anthony Coleman (High Rollers)
Justin Strydom (High Rollers)
Siyabonga Twala (Isibaya)

Best actress in a soap/telenovela
Tina Jaxa (Gold Diggers)
Clementine Mosimane (Gold Diggers)
Masasa Mbangeni (Scandal!)

Best supporting actress in a soap/telenovela
Maggie Benedict (Ashes to Ashes II)
Nandi Nyembe (Ashes to Ashes II)
Linda Sebezo (Greed and Desire)

Best supporting actor in a soap/telenovela
Mandla Gaduka (Ashes to Ashes II)
Pallance Dladla (Isibaya)
Warren Masemola (Ring of Lies)

Best TV comedy
Puppet Nation ZANews
Hotel
Those Who Can't

Best actress in a TV comedy
Zola Nombona (Forced Love II)
Hannah Barnard (Puppet Nation ZA News)
Chantal Herman (Those Who Can't)

Best actor in a TV comedy
James Borthwick (Hotel)
Kagiso Lediga (The Bantu Hour)
Grant Swanby (Those Who Can't)

Best supporting actress in a TV comedy
Sylvaine Strike (Those Who Can't)
Kate Normington (Those Who Can't)
Robyn Scott (Those Who Can't)

Best supporting actor in a TV comedy
Deon Lotz (Buurtwag)
Graham Wier (Hotel)
Reabetswe Rangaka (The Mayor)

Best film
Noem My Skollie
Shepherds and Butchers
Sink

Best actor in film
Deon Lotz (Dis Koue Kos, Skat)
Dann Jaques Mouton (Noem My Skollie)
Garion Dowds (Sheperds and Butchers)

Best actress in film
Anel Alexander (Sink)
Shoki Mokgape (Sink)
Christia Visser (Tess)

Best supporting actress in film
Hlubi Mboya (Dora's Peace)
Leleti Khumalo (Free State)
Renate Stuurman (Happiness is a Four Letter Word)

Best supporting actor in film
Grant Swanby (Modder en Bloed)
Abdurahgmaan Adams (Noem My Skollie)
Deon Lotz (Shepherds and Butchers)

Best TV presenter
Tumi Morake (Point of Order)
Siv Ngesi (Man Cave IV)
Bob Mabena (Mzansi Magic music specials)
Katlego Maboe (Expresso)
Chanley Wong (Craz-e Sistahood)
Laurian Nortje (Hectic Nine-9)
Lawrence Maleka (Clash of the Choirs)
Thembisa Mdoda (Our Perfect Wedding)
Maschechaba Ndlovu (The Big Debate VII)

Best TV talk show host
Anele Mdoda (Real Talk with Anele)
Karen Zoid (Republiek van Zoid Afrika)
Bonnie Mbuli (Afternoon Express)

FIRED GENERATIONS CAST: SABC 'an embarrassment' says iconic John Kani; SABC and MMSV Productions want to 'dispose of actors like diapers'.

In an emotional speech, the iconic and highly respected South Africa actor, playwright, director and producer John Kani lashed the beleaguered SABC, calling the South African public broadcaster "an embarrassment", following the shocking sacking of the Generations cast by the SABC and Mfundi Vundla's MMSV Productions.

John Kani said the SABC and MMSV Productions is trying to "dispose the actors like diapers".

John Kani blasted the SABC and MMSV Productions, likening the SABC's actions to oppressive apartheid behaviour. "It [the firing] carries the residue of an apartheid-style master, servant relationship," he said. 

"I have stab wounds, I have evaded assassination and I spent time in detention. This is not what I fought for as an actor".

The shock firing of the principal cast of South Africa's biggest TV show and the SABC's biggest cash cow making hundreds of millions per year for the broadcaster, sent shock waves though the South African TV industry with very vocal criticism continuing to build from the industry demanding reform and regulations regarding actors' contracts and fees.

The Generations cast was dismissed last Monday after a weeklong stayaway when the cast demanded the long-overdue three year contracts the SABC's famously matricless chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng promised them in June 2013, as well as higher pay rates, and the payment of residuals for rebroadcasts as well as international sales of the show.

The SABC wanted to pay the Generations actors R3 000 once-off in residuals for a decade of Generations rebroadcasts but the cast, organised as the Generations Actors Guild (GAG) balked.

Yesterday in Newtown at the Barney Simon theatre the Generations cast, wearing black and white, took to the stage at a press conference, supported by highly respected industry heavy-weights like John Kani's whose own son, Atandwa Kani, was fired.

"Because the conditions we work under are still master and servant, we are disposable like diapers. The problem is the change of mindset. We are equal. Overseas series and soaps don't have this problem where actors are disposable," said John Kani.

"They know that the value of the series is dependent on these individuals, actors, continuing in their artistic excellence to create these characters".

"It's very sad for me to say that I've just done a series with iNkaba with Mzansi Magic and M-Net. I was treated with incredible respect. I don't know how the SABC and MMSV Productions don't understand that. Artists - lets know what we are worth," said John Kani.

"It's arrogance, it's stupidity to think you can tell these actors in one letter you are all fired. Come on guys, we didn't struggle for this? We didn't spent our lives in the struggle so that we could be treated like we're in apartheid."

"Lets make sure no-one walks on the set of Generations. I don't care whether its the script writer, the editor, or the boom carrier, technicians. We will block the doors. We will not continue this treatment," said John Kani.

"To our union: This is the time we block the doors of Generations. This is the time we stand up and make sure that these actors are taken back".

John Kani said he is "embarrassed by the Generations salaries". "I've worked for much more money since the 70s. An average of R55 000 for Generations is working for below a slave's salary. I wouldn't work for that for a day as an on-call actor on Generations."

"Lets do something. Because if you don't do anything, Muvhango actors will be fired tomorrow, 7de Laan actors tomorrow, isiBaya tomorrow, Zabalaza tomorrow. All of them would be fired tomorrow - because we did nothing," said John Kani.

"These Generations actors don't deserve to be treated with such disrepect. 

M-Net's Galaxy of the Stars celebration at Gallagher Estate to be something out of this world.

M-Net’s Galaxy of the Stars event taking place this evening at Gallagher Estate promises to be an out-of-this-world event as the South African pay-TV broadcaster gets ready to celebrate nearly 28 years of bringing viewers premium TV content – as well as looking forward to its future.

I can reveal that approximately 400 people – TV executives, on-screen talent, government officials, production executives, celebrities, M-Net bosses and the biggest names in the South African television business  – are set to attend the "highly exclusive" black tie, sit-down gala dinner which has several surprises in store.

The bash promises to be the biggest single celebration centered around television since TV started in South Africa in 1976.

M-Net is set to highlight and celebrate its long legacy in creating home grown TV content but will also make a major announcement regarding a new initiative the pay-TV broadcaster is launching to support the South African film and television industry.

An M-Net spokesperson told me that the Galaxy of the Stars event – which will also be broadcast on the M-Net and Mzansi Magic channels on MultiChoice’s DStv on 9 August at 14:00 and 21:30 respectively – will highlight and celebrate the investment of over R1bn the pay-TV broadcaster annually makes into local content creation.

"With enormous challenges and problems facing South Africa’s TV industry in general and various questions about where the industry is heading, as well as new opportunities and challenges like digital terrestrial television, the Galaxy of the Stars event will showcase some of South Africa's proud television achievements, success stories, how M-Net has been and remains at the forefront of TV innovation and a glimpse of the future," an insider told me.

"It will be like the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) – just even better," quipped the source of the event which has Idols judge Unathi Msengana and film and TV legend John Kani as hosts.

M-Net has "spent billions over the years to create home-grown entertainment, across multiple genres, languages and TV channels spanning the African continent," says an M-Net spokesperson.

"The event will highlight the close, varied and strong relationships that M-Net has forged with key industry stakeholders, such as production companies – both large and small – speaking directly to its vision of partnership and collaboration."

Open invitation for new ideas

"The Galaxy of the Stars event will serve as an open invitation to the industry to bring forward their new ideas and fresh concepts, confident in the knowledge that M-Net will be, as it always has been, open to engagement, partnership and dialogue," says M-Net.

"The event will also offer a platform for M-Net to speak about a brand new strategic campaign whereby the company will be focusing on informing and education young students about the opportunities available within the film and TV industry across a spectrumof careers."

M-Net's Galaxy of the Stars made-for-television event will feature a dazzling array of appearances and performances by stars ranging from Siyabonga Twala and Johnny Clegg to Hugh Masekela, Mafikizolo, Zahara and many more.

"It promises to be the biggest, most magical celebration yet seen in South Africa," says Yolisa Phahle, the CEO of M-Net South Africa.

Dramatic Sabido Productions documentary film, 1994 The Bloody Miracle, to be shown on eNCA and e.tv from 16 April.

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There's been no word from eNCA (DStv 403) or e.tv about it, but the 24-hour TV news channel will broadcast the documentary film 1994 The Bloody Miracle on 16 April on eNCA at 19:30, and on e.tv on 27 April  (the first of two episodes of the 90 minute film).

e.tv's publicity department didn't respond with information about the film following a media enquiry asking about the film. e.tv's publicity department said a press release still needs to be approved.

1994 The Bloody Miracle, a Sabido Productions film, is a highly dramatic and must-watch documentary film which looks at the plans that South Africa's right wing had for a military coup, as well as a plot to kidnap Nelson Mandela and the new leaders-in-waiting, and to abduct and imprison them in Angola in 1994.

This happened against a backdrop where Inkatha was locked in a power struggle with the ANC, teetering on the brink of civil war.

1994 The Bloody Miracle reveals what a miracle it was that a general democratic election took place in South Africa in 1994 with fascinating access and insight to key decision makers, killers and plotting masterminds at the time.

In rare interviews, former president F.W. de Klerk, current president Jacob Zuma and hit squad commander Eugene de Kock answer questions about the extent of the South African state's complicity in the unrest in the country two decades ago.

1994 The Bloody Miracle - produced by Paul Egan, executive produced by Chris Nicklin, directed by Megan Rickards and Bert Haitsma and with John Kani as narrator - is a chilling look at how far some people were willing to go to thwart the democratic process in South Africa.

BREAKING. Inkaba with John Kani the new 208 episode long telenovella for Mzansi Magic that will start on weekdays late in March.

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I can exclusively break the news that pay TV broadcaster M-Net's new telenovela TV series for the Mzansi Magic channel (DStv 107) - produced by Urban Brew Studios - is named Inkaba and will start late in March on the channel, running for four days per week from Monday to Thursday with a cast of 17 including veteran TV stars such as John Kani over the course of 208 episodes.

Inkaba has the veteran John Kani playing a family patriarg on screen but he is also the executive producer of the English telenovela which will be shown from Mondays to Thursdays at 20:30 on Mzansi Magic. Inkaba is the isiXhosa word meaning interconnectivity - or literally ''navel'' - the bond between parents and children.

Originally having the working title of Pride and Desire, the telenovella with a year's worth of episodes, will be called Inkaba and will be set in modern day Johannesburg in rich and poor suburbs centered around two fashion houses similar to The Bold and the Beautiful.

Tragedy recently struck the production with the death of actor Muzi ''Clive'' Mgwenya whose role has to be recast.

The telenovela will incorporate several flashback scenes set in the former lives of the characters. These flashbacks to the 1980s decade will occur in especially the first few episodes to give exposition to the earlier lives of some of the now older Inkaba characters.

Asked about the telenovela a while ago, M-Net today - without revealing the title or particular specific details - answered questions about the limited-run soap opera which M-Net called ''Mzansi Magic's biggest investment over the past and upcoming financial years''.

ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic working on a telenovela with the working title Desire.

Insiders called the story ''epic'' and ''a truly South African multi-generational tale'' saying that viewers will be pulled in ''by the interplay between rich and poor, the aspirational values of the fashion set and the tension that comes from the dynamic between parents, their children, and everyone's professional lives and dreams''.

M-Net said that Mzansi Magic is ''currently in pre-production for the telenovela which will launch on-air in March 2012'' (insiders mentioned a late March launch for Inkaba). Last year M-Net also put out a commissioning brief for a soap together with the telenovela, but said ''the channel is still finalising its strategy for long-running series, which will inform the way forward in terms of production and broadcasting of local soaps and telenovellas''.

Asked what the biggest challenges has been so far for these newly commissioned local programming and why Mzansi Magic is doing this, M-Net said the biggest challenge has been ''top explore all options to ensure that productions strengthen the channel's content proposition and schedule. It's also very important to ensure that each component in the big production machine is top notch - from the script, to casting, set design and other production components.''

''Schedule stability has been a key area of business for the channel over the past year,'' says M-Net, saying that Inkaba ''has all the ingredients to keep viewers hooked four nights in a row over a long period.

Inkaba and the new upcoming 8th season of Idols are the top programming priorities for Mzansi Magic, although Mzansi Magic has also put out a commissioning brief for a local reality show the channel would like to put on air. ''We are always busy exploring the best programming for the channel.''

Inkaba will have a limited run similar to South America soap operas and will be 208 episodes of 24 minutes each to fill a half hour per day from Mondays to Thursdays for a year. Inkaba episodes will be recorded about a month in advance. ''The telenovela will be filmed in studio with a small portion of material being shot on location''. The cast is at 17 people, including the main and secondary cast. ''There are a large number of featured extra roles and smaller cameo parts over and above this,'' says M-Net of Inkaba.

''The sets are possibly some of the most innovative elements of the show as they offer 360 degree shooting in a studio as opposed to the 'flat' tradisional way of shooting.''

M-Net says Inkaba has been created ''in such a way that we can retain our older audiences but also attract younger viewers''.

BREAKING. Safta awards: John Kani lashes out at South African film industry with a scathing rebuke.

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Wow! If you haven't seen it, I can tell you first about the absolutely stunning rant and rave of John Kani at the 4th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas). The veteran writer and actor who received a Lifetime Achievement Award lashed out at the local film and TV industry.

Upon receiving his Safta award, John Kani had a scathing rebuke for the local film industry in a strongly worded speech. In a dramatic plea with his wife by his side, the industry veteran wanted to know why local actors are seemingly just not good enough. He wanted to know why South African actors are not good enough to play Nelson Mandela and why they're not good enough to play Winnie.

''How can an industry that says that it wants to acknowledges excellence in us . . . how then does the same industry - the same directors and producers - then look across the world? I want to say to the directors and the producers of this industry, it's time you see us!''

A second of shocked silence followed - and then there was a standing ovation for John Kani by the State Theatre audience in Pretoria - mostly made up of industry types and actors.