PANDORA PAPERS. Carte Blanche on M-Net to open Pandora's Box on Sunday night with a shocking exposé bigger than the Panama Papers.

by Thinus Ferreira

On Sunday night Carte Blanche on M-Net's (DStv 101) at 19:00 will run a shocking exposé and reveal details as part of a global journalism investigation that the weekly magazine show has been part of: The so-called "Pandora Papers" into the highly-secretive offshore financial practices of high-profile people and companies from "across the globe" and the dodgy international tax haven practices they use.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIG) along with more than 600 journalists from 117 countries collaborated on this global investigation of jaw-dropping scope that took place over many months and that Carte Blanche in South Africa, produced by Combined Artistic Productions, have been a part of.

So unusual and secretive is the nature of the journalistic enterprise that M-Net in its weekly programming note about the show's upcoming line-up tonight, couldn't say what Sunday's episode will fully be about, only telling the media that Carte Blanche is joining a "global investigation", of which the nature and subject is embargoed and can only be revealed on Sunday night.

With Latashia Naidoo as the producer and Macfarlane Moleli as the presenter, Carte Blanche said about Sunday night's upcoming exposé that "more than 600 journalists from 117 countries collaborated on a global investigation of jaw-dropping scope" and that Carte Blanche "is part of what is "set to be the largest journalistic collaboration in the world to date".

It remains to be seen whether - or which - high-profile South African people like businessmen, celebrities and politicians, as well as companies and organisations, feature on the Pandora Papers lists or documents that number almost 12 million pages of financial and legal records.

The ICIG in 2016 released the so-called "Panama Papers" about how governments and high-profile people and companies used secretive offshore tax havens to stash cash and on Saturday the ICIJ announced that it plans to release "the most expansive exposé of financial secrecy yet" on Sunday night.

"Are you ready for the Pandora Papers?" the ICIJ asked on Saturday in a tweet on social media, noting that "This new investigation is our most expansive exposé of financial secrecy yet" that features "reporting from more than 600 journalists from 150 media outlets in 117 countries across the globe".

It ICIJ said that the investigation is "based on a leaked dataset of more than 11.9 million files covering every corner of the globe".

The Pandora Papers reveal a shocking paper trail of corruption detailing how people and places are hiding their wealth and side-stepping taxes by making use of offshore companies. 

Notably bigger than the Panama Papers that shocked the world, the Pandora Papers are named after the notorious character from Greek mythology who opened a mysterious box followed by serious complications and repercussions.

ALSO READ: Carte Blanche on M-Net is part of a global investigation 'of jaw-dropping scope' that it will reveal on Sunday night at 7pm.

M-Net's Carte Blanche starts a YouTube channel - for the right to see it online.

M-Net's long-running and award-winning weekly investigative and current affair programme, Carte Blanche has started a YouTube channel, giving viewers without DStv the right to see some of it online.

Carte Blanche on YouTube loaded its first video on 21 January this year and has since followed it up with ongoing selected inserts from the broadcast show done by Derek Watts, Devi Sankaree Govender, Claire Mawisa, Macfarlani Moleli, as well as John Webb who is now adding incredible international reporting from across the United Kingdom and Europe.

Content range from 12-minute inserts including expose investigations and profile pieces, to specially produced clips for Carte Blanche's YouTube audience like Macfarlane Moleli explaining and giving tips on how people who want to send footage to the show should film it on their smartphones.

Whole episodes of the Combined Artistic Production produced show are however not shared.

It's not clear what the strategy and reason are behind Carte Blanche's latest platform and brand extension - M-Net was asked multiple times over many weeks - but adding some content to YouTube will clearly have a two-fold impact.

Firstly, the venerable 30-year old show is getting a large new sampling factor and more additional exposure beyond pay-TV viewers. With literally thousands of views, many people have already watched the combined and growing collection of Carte Blanche videos in just a month and a half.

Secondly, it might help drive uptake of DStv Premium under consumers who see the programme with its quality content that is only for top-tier subscribers and who want to get M-Net.

It's the same phenomena as the 290 000 views that the first episode of The Bachelor South Africa got - also on M-Net - after the entire first episode was placed on YouTube, dramatically helping to drive interest, buzz and sampling of that brand-new Rapid Blue produced format show.

TVwithThinus asked Nomntu Mnengi, M-Net publicist in mid-February about Carte Blanche's YouTube move and was promised M-Net is working on the questions, and was asked multiples times again in several follow-ups, although no answers have been forthcoming a month later by 7 March.

Some of the questions M-Net was asked was why the Carte Blanche YouTube channel was started, how Carte Blanche decides what to place on YouTube and how long, what the vision is of and for this brand and platform content extension, what Carte Blanche wants its YouTube channel to be, and if whole episodes would ever be placed on YouTube.

M-Net's Carte Blanche to celebrate 30th anniversary with a special 90-minute 'look back' live studio broadcast on 26 August with memorable moments, showing how truth does bring change.

The planned, special live studio broadcast on Sunday 26 August of M-Net's (DStv 101) long-running weekly investigative magazine show, Carte Blanche to celebrate its 30th anniversary on South African television will include a look back at its memorable moments, highlights and groundbreaking investigations over the past three decades - showing how truth does bring change.

The Combined Artistic Productions show with its signature theme song and currently with presenters Derek Watts, Devi Sankaree Govender, Claire Mawisa, John Webb and Macfarlane Moleli, remains a Sunday night 19:00 TV staple with a mix of investigative and consumer journalism stories, profile interviews and agenda-setting exposes based on a similar format as America's 60 Minutes.

As a South African TV institution, the special 30th birthday episode of Carte Blanche on 26 August will be an extended 90-minute broadcast from 19:00 until 20:30, and will include a look at some of the show's historical moments and the groundbreaking TV journalism investigations that the show brought to viewers over three decades under its slogan of "the right to see it all".

Devi Sankaree Govender who has been with Carte Blanche for the past 16 years, told Jacaranda FM in an interview that the special 30th anniversary episode will look back at some of the best stories over the years, "stories that have affected the country, stories that brought about change".

"We're looking at the investigative stories, the catching crooks stories, the happy stories, the adventure stories - marking 30 years, and 30 years of the fact that truth does bring change."

In an interview with 702 Devi Sankaree Govender said "Carte Blanche has been the greatest privilege of my life because I've had access to people and situations that ordinarily I wouldn't have access to".

"A big part of transformation for me, is transparency. And the only way you're going to get that, is if you're not afraid to ask the really tough questions. People don't like to be put on the spot," said Devi Sankaree Govender.

"When you're sitting across from somebody during an interview, it's just about you and that person. It's not about clever, fancy questions with big words. It's about keeping it real, asking questions that matter, but more importantly, finding some kind of direction."

"I'm a sucker for 'I'm sorry'. Very few of the people I interview actually say 'I'm sorry'. If you're sorry, then let's see how we are going to fix this together," she said.

Carte Blanche sexism? M-Net's weekly investigative magazine suddenly makes Macfarlane Moleli an anchor after just 5 months with the show, although Claire Mawisa has been there much longer.

Carte Blanche on M-Net (DStv 101) comes across as extremely sexist after suddenly promoting Macfarlane Moleli who has been with the show for just a few months to the anchor chair, instead of Claire Mawisa who has more experience on the show and who has been with the show several years longer than Macfarlane Moleli.

Macfarlane Moleli is replacing another man, Bongani Bingwa in the Carte Blanche anchor chair despite being part of the weekly investigative magazine show for the shortest amount of time - just 5 months - out of all the presenters.

Carte Blanche shocked on Sunday evening when anchor Derek Watts in the closer of Sunday's episode announced that "next Sunday our new anchor Macfarlane Moleli, our new anchor, will be joining us in the hot seat, as we say goodbye to Bongani Bingwa, who's made such a valuable contribution to our show for more than a decade".

Bongani Bingwa dropped Carte Blanche to join the SABC as the new SABC News weekday prime time co-anchor next to Francis Herd on SABC News (DStv 404) and SABC3, with Macfarlane Moleli who will be behind the Carte Blanche anchor desk from 18 March.

For years only Derek Watts and Bongani Bingwa as two men alternated as anchors of Carte Blanche, before Devi Sankaree Govender was finally allowed since the middle of last year to anchor episodes of the Combined Artistic Productions show broadcast on Sunday nights from the Randburg studio.

Despite years of experience as an investigative TV journalist and having also anchored hours and hours of studio coverage during the Oscar Pistorius trial on MultiChoice's Oscar Pistorius Trial channel on DStv - ironically produced by the same production company responsible for Carte Blanche - Devi Sankaree Govender was for some reason not used or seen as a Carte Blanche anchor until mid-2017.

Since Devi Sankaree Govender joined Carte Blanche in 2002, it means it took her - as the first female anchor since Ruda Landman left - 15 years to make it to the show's anchor desk.

Claire Mawisa, with TV presenting and in-studio presenting experience joined Carte Blanche in April 2015 as a field presenter and since then has done dozens of stories. She is a year older than Macfarlane Moleli.

Macfarlane Moleli quietly joined Carte Blanche in September 2017 as a field presenter just 5 months ago.

Interestingly, neither M-Net nor Combined Artistic Productions issued any official statement or press release when Macfarlane Moleli joined Carte Blanche in late-2017, as was the case with Claire Mawisa in 2015 and others previously, with Macfarlane Moleli's addition as a new presenter that came across as decidedly low-key.

Now Macfarlane Moleli has suddenly been appointed as a studio anchor on the show, above Claire Mawisa who has been with the show longer, who has done more stories, and who has more on-the-ground and behind-the-scenes experience with the actual news magazine show.

Carte Blanche was asked why Macfarlane Moleli has suddenly been made an anchor on the show and why he was chosen as a man to replace Bongani Bingwa who also happens to be a man.

With Devi Sankaree Govender who had to wait years before being made an anchor, and with Claire Mawisa who joined Carte Blanche before Macfarlane Moleli, Carte Blanche was also asked why she has not been allowed to anchor or to become an anchor before Macfarlane Moleli who has been with the show for a far shorter time than Claire Mawisa.

M-Net in response to a media enquiry says "why Macfarlane got the anchoring job, it’s quite simple: He comes with a huge amount of live studio anchoring experience under his belt from his time at eNCA and the SABC. Hosting live TV is a very unique skills set that Macfarlane already joins the team with."

"Macfarlane has spent the past two decades honing his presenting and investigative journalism skills on issues around current affairs, politics, economics, business, sports and environmental affairs," says George Mazarakis, Carte Blanche executive producer. "He is a seasoned studio presenter and we're thrilled to welcome someone of his calibre to our team of highly experienced anchors".

Carte Blanche says "Macfarlane Moleli has more than 14 years' work experience as a journalist in the media and entertainment industry under his belt. Most recently he worked at Kaya FM, following a 5-year stink at news channel eNCA."

"Macfarlane was also a former prime time newsreader on SABC3 for the 19:00 news. During this time he hosted 180 Degrees on SABC News International, as well as the drive time news and current affairs anchor on "The Touch Down show on Touch Central."

When Claire Mawisa's name is searched for in online search engines, lurid stories doesn't come up like one last year about Macfarlane Moleli where headlines blare 'Lover' says Macfarlane shattered her heart with things like an alleged girlfriend, Lerato Phakathi, who told The Daily Sun that he allegedly "has a tough time keeping 'it' in his pants".

Carte Blanche will celebrate its 30th anniversary in August. The show's current roster of presenters are Derek Watts, Devi Sankaree Govender, Claire Mawisa, Macfarlane Moleli and John Webb who is apparently relocating overseas and leaving South Africa but who will still be doing inserts for the show.

Investigative news mags - because they value and protect their credibility and integrity in a genre of television where the faces directly represent the credibility and trust of viewers built up over years of doing stories and interviews - usually promote from within.

America's 60 Minutes, the BBC's Panorama and the BBC's interview show HARDTalk only elevate insiders from within the fold to the prestigious rank of anchor presenter, and only after many years of having built up a cache of credibility and having proven their mettle through a vault of stories and interviews.

Another 90 minute extended Carte Blanche episode on M-Net on Sunday at 7pm looking at the Guptas, highway rock throwing and dictator Robert Mugabe's playboy sons.

There will be another 90 minute extended Carte Blanche episode on M-Net (DStv 101) on Sunday at 19:00 of the broadcaster's weekly investigative magazine show due to the higher than usual age restriction of the film following afterwards.

This week's Carte Blanche episode on M-Net has a fascinating look at the playboy sons of the Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe, and further explores the Eskom state capture saga involving the controversial Gupta family.

Carte Blanche also profiles the young train rescue heroes from Kroonstad, looks at the apparent disarray within South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) political party, investigates the shocking highway rock throwing crime, and why telemarketing in South Africa has become out of control.   

First Strike From The AFU

This week the Asset Forfeiture Unit launched their first strike against international consulting company McKinsey and the Gupta-linked company, Trillian. Their preservation order freezes R1.6 billion, but that is just the beginning, says the NPA. They hope to recover another R50- billion. In an exclusive interview, Carte Blanche sits down with Suzanne Daniels, the Eskom executive, who was the first to recommend these companies pay back the money, but was suspended shortly afterwards.

Producer: Joy Summers

Presenter: Devi Sankaree Govender

Researcher: Tony Beamish

                         

Young Heroes

At just 12 years old, their selfless efforts to assist victims of the Kroonstad train crash have earned them the admiration of the entire nation. After witnessing the incident, the two boys fearlessly rushed to the scene to help the injured, pulling babies and the elderly from the train. Carte Blanche meets young South African heroes Evert du Preez and Mokoni Chaka.

Producer: Mart-Marie Faure

Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli

DA Future

As the governing party, the ANC is experiencing resurgence under the new leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa, trouble is brewing in the opposition camps of the Democratic Alliance. From Cape Town, to Port Elizabeth, to Johannesburg, major internal power struggles plague the DA.  Can the official opposition survive the political fallout in the Western Cape and its key metropoles throughout the country?  Carte Blanche analyses a party, seemingly in disarray.

Producer: Liz Fish

Presenter: John Webb

Highway Rock Throwing

It’s a deadly practice, often with fatal consequences. Gauteng and KZN have seen a renewed spate of rock throwing from highway bridges, causing serious damage to vehicles, claiming lives and injuring several motorists. But are these just reckless pranks or part of a devious plan to rob injured motorists of their valuables?

Producer: Nicky Troll

Presenter: Claire Mawisa

Telemarketing: Your Rights

We all loath those persistent telemarketing calls offering anything form insurance policies to cellphone contracts. Locally, it’s big business and when it comes to marketing phone calls, South Africa now ranks among the top 5 most spammed countries in the world. But is it legal to offer unsolicited credit or to keep your private contact details on a database after you’ve asked for it to be removed? Carte Blanche finds out what your rights are as a consumer.

Producer: Sophia Phirippides

Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli

Mugabe Boys

Pouring expensive champagne over a luxury watch to prove it's real is the kind of excessive behaviour that enraged Zimbabweans, but it’s also how Robert Mugabe’s sons, earned themselves an international reputation for party excess and big spending.  After years of splurging on lavish hotel rooms and designer clothes in South Africa, will Mugabe's fall from power put an end to his sons' jet-setting lifestyles?

Producer: Journeyman Pictures

Macfarlane Moleli gone again from e.tv and eNews after a month; was only an unannounced temporary freelance replacement.

Macfarlane Moleli that e.tv e.tv announced in March has returned to eNews and this time to anchor eNews Prime Time on e.tv is gone again after a month - it turns out the former eNCA morning anchor was only a temporary replacement.

e.tv didn't announce this when it made the announcement in March that Macfarlance Moleli is returning to the e.tv fold, leaving viewers wondering again his sudden disappearance.

In response to a media enquiry e.tv says "Macfarlane Moleli was a stand-in, freelance arrangement when Nikiwe Bikitsha left.

"Cathy Mohlahlana is now Nikiwe Bikitsha's replacement"," e.tv tells TV with Thinus.

Macfarlane Moleli returns to the e.tv fold after leaving eNCA in May; will now anchor eNews Prime Time on Mondays and Wednesdays at 19:00.

Macfarlane Moleli, the longtime morning news anchor on eNCA (DStv 403) who left the 24-hour TV news channel in 2013 is returning to e.tv and this time to the e.tv TV channel's primetime nightly news bulletin eNews Prime Time.

eNews Prime Time continues its reign as the most watched English news bulletin on television in South Africa.

Macfarlane Moleli who left eNCA at the end of May 2013 will now be seen on eNews Prime Time at 19:00, alternating on some evenings with that news bulletin's longtime anchor, Pat Pillai.

Macfarlane Moleli who also does radio news on Kaya FM will anchor eNews Prime Time on e.tv on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

"We are delighted to have someone of Macfarlane Moleli's caliber back on our team," says Phathiswa Magopeni, the head of terrestrial news services at e.tv.

Several TV journalism winners in the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2013.

There were several TV reporters across Africa who won in the series of tightly contested categories in the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2013 which took place in Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday evening - with television stories ranging from public toilets in Ghana, to that of an orphaned Sierra Leone girl who is now a ballerina dancer in South Africa.

The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2013 was presented by Isha Sesay of CNN International (DStv 401) for her 5th consecutive time, as well as Macfarlane Moleli who left eNCA (DStv 403) earlier this year for Khaya FM.

Unlike eNCA and e.tv in the past, the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2013 will this year be broadcast on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on 24 October at 21:30 (58 mins.) and on M-Net (DStv 101) on 29 October at 09:30 (24 mins.).

"The media is a central part of any nation," said Collins Khumalo, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, who encouraged journalist across Africa to keep telling their stories.

Nico Meyer, the CEO of MultiChoice Africa told journalists that "without your hard work and perseverance, the development of the media across Africa would not be possible."

"One of my biggest concerns over the years has been the safety and security of our people," said Parisa Khosravi, who was appointed last month as senior vice president of global relations at CNN International and the 24-hour TV news channel's new global brand ambassador."

"I'm deeply in awe of those who risk their own safety to bring important news to their audiences by giving voice to the voiceless and shedding light on oppression and injustice."

"In my new expanded role as the first ever global ambassador for CNN I have further opportunity to uphold our founder Ted Turner's vision to ensure that our global village has a better understanding of itself," she said.

"We look forward to bringing our award-winning programming to your homes with the help of MultiChoice for many years to come. These awards are one of the ways we help promote the highest form of journalistic standards and press freedom around the world," said Parisa Khosravi.

South Africa's Nicola de Chaud won for her TV story for Carte Blanche on M-Net in the Culture Awards category about Michaela de Prince, a Sierra Leone war orphan who is now a ballerina dancer in South Africa.

Mauritius' Axcel Micael Chenney won for a French Teleplus story in the French general news category about a fallen hero involving drugs, politics, sports and money.

Mozambique's Selma Onocencia won in the Portuguese general news category for a TV story for Rede de Comunicacao Miramar about animal cruelty.

Kenya's Roseline Wangui Wanyiri won in the category for Best Television Feature. Her story which was broadcast on NTV was about "beads women", young women sexually exploited when they're taken by men as "temporary wives".

Ghana's Gifty Andoh Appiah won for her TV story in the Best Television News Bulletin category which was broadcast on Joy News Channel in Ghana over the shocking condition of public toilets in that country.

TV journalists commended for their work include Susan Comrie and Joy Summers for Carte Blanche in South Africa; Robyn Kriel and Orto Sori of eSat and eNCA in Kenya; Judy Jeptum Kosgei and Mauritius Odour of Citizen TV in Kenya; and Amon Ngabo of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation in Uganda.


ALSO READ: Multi-faceted journalism needed from Africa's journalists who need to keep the bigger picture in mind, says the continent's media experts.

eNCA exodus of on-air staff continues with Macfarlane Moleli and Lance Witten also gone; eNCA says overall staff numbers are growing.

The eNCA (DStv 403) is bleeding on-air staff but the 24 hour South African TV news channel says that overall the staff is actually growing.

Following news woman Debora Patta out the door and Shahan Ramkissoon who left the eNCA, is Macfarlane Moleli who resigned at the end of May without the eNCA saying a word about it. Lance Witten is now also gone; he upped and left the eNCA to go back to radio.

Then there's also Charlotte Kilbane the online editor of the eNews online division who left and who insiders consider a big loss for the news channel.

The eNCA's Patrick Controy, the group head of news at the eNCA, tells TV with Thinus that there "are more people coming through the front doot than leaving out the back".

'"eNCA staff numbers have been increasing since April 2012 from 500 to 546 staff, which is an increas of 9%. For context - in May 2010 the staff total came to 338, which means our growth over this period is 62%," he says.

"This figure of 546 will increase as we fill vacancies and recruit staff for new positions which have opened up in our business."

"It is true tht a number of staff have resigned to join PowerFM. In April we had 12 resignations on file, of which nearly half have gone to the radio station. While we hate to lose staff we are in the position however of having highly trained and skilled personnel who are easily poached."

"Primedia has also lost a significant number of staff to PowerFM which makes total sense. We're probably the only two broadcasting companies training and producing talent at this level . The SABC has largely failed to do so in recent years in my view," says Patrick Conroy.

"I view it as a compliment that eNCA staff are considered to be well trained, professional and skilled. If they were not in demand by local and international broadcasters, I'd actually be a bit miffed."

"Of course when a high-profile person like Debora Patta leaves, it is understandable that to outsiders it comes as a shock. We've been in discussions with Debora Patta for months about the future and format of 3rd Degree, and ultimately she felt it was time to move on and do something different. It is perfectly normal in this business. Things change and people move on."

Over the past five years Charlotte Kilbane mentored her successor in Cape Town and then stepped back to hand over the Cape Town editor post to Nisa Allie doing an incredible job taking our product forward. Charlotte then agreed to hold off on leaving us and assist with the launch of www.eNCA.com."

"Her television experience and online insights really helped make the launch of this site a huge success. Currently it is ahead of all targets set in our business plan," says Patrick Conroy.

SHOCKER! eNCA: Barack Obama deserves another term after the mess he was left with, says eNCA anchor Macfarlane Moleli.

You're reading it here first. 

South Africa's 24-hour news channel, the eNCA (DStv 403) has just come out in full support of American president Barack Obama and a possible second term with the eNCA anchor Macfarlane Moleli saying Barack Obama "deserves another term".

Until now the eNCA news channel has been impartial and has not taken a decidedly conservatively right or liberally left news slant like the Fox News Channel or MSNBC in America. Not only is the eNCA now editorialising the news, it now also appears that the eNCA is leaning left and supporting America's Democratic Party.

Macfarlane Moleli just told co-anchor Eleni Giokos, "now you understand why I'm wearing my red tie today right?" [The colour of the Democratic Party in America which is having its election conference today in America.]

Macfarlane Moleli told viewers that "Barack Obama deserves another term - I mean, from the mess that was left before that! He deserves another chance."

It's unheard of for a news anchor on television in South Africa to make such an outspoken, editorialised statement in a news bulletin - it's even more shocking that it would happen on the eNCA which claims impartiality and objectivity.

Macfarlane Moleli openly endorsing Barack Obama on the eNCA air in a news bulletin has far-reaching implications for the news channel.

What are viewers to make of subsequent eNCA coverage of the upcoming American election? Is the eNCA biased towards the Democrats and Barack Obama? Through what lens if the eNCA giving and bringing that news to viewers if an eNCA news anchor is openly declaring who he supports - and using eNCA airwaves to do that?

The eNCA didn't immediately respond with comment to questions about the startling comments made by Macfarlane Moleli.

eNCA news channel on DStv unveils its excellent new anchor line-up; adding Eleni Giokos as permanent new anchor.

eNCA (DStv 403) unveiled its new anchor line-up to co-incide with the name change of the eNews Channel to simply eNCA and its expansion to the United Kingdom from tomorrow.

The new eNCA anchor line-up is excellent. It not only shows what's possible when you invest in people as a news media outfit, but the experienced telegenic news anchors are all qualified and the eNCA has a cache of talented TV news stars making several options possible.

The eNCA's new line-up will fully and officially come into effect from Monday 20 August although Iman Rappetti and Jeremy Maggs already co-anchored News Night together on Thursday night last week as their very first - and very successful - try-out. 

Here is the new eNCA line-up:

06:00 - 09:00 Morning News Today

Gareth Edwards, Ayanda Allie-Payne

Gareth Edwards and Ayanda Allie Paine will co-anchor the morning broadcast from now on. 

Ayanda Allie Paine will have to go to bed early so as to not fall asleep on the job. 

Ayanda Allie Paine is the least experienced of all the permanent new anchors; but is very able supported by the excellent Gareth Edwards who've transitioned extremely successfully from sport to anchoring the general news. 

Bonus points for the times when Gareth Edwards has already shown to be able to suddenly integrate the latest sport scores into news bulletins and immediately provide context and insight without the help of a teleprompter.

09:00 - 13:00

Macfarlane Moleli, Eleni Giokos

Macfarlane Moleli has more than paid his dues and continues to do so (and how wonderful that someone who studied on a rugby bursary can become a news anchor!). Eleni Giokos who joined the eNews Channel in July - news I scooped RIGHT HERE and who have done anchor duty during the day during August now gets this fixed anchor position. 

Macfarlane Moleli is well experienced as a TV anchor and holding down mid-morning coverage - as is Eleni Giokos.

Eleni Giokos must be so glad to be away from the doldrum pre-recorded CNBC Africa sponsored seminars which is so embarrassing to that business news channel while real news is happening. Eleni Giokos took the floor running and is a formidable asset for the eNCA in the anchor stable. 

With business news coverage starting mid-morning she's also perfectly placed to bring immediate insight and analysis on business matters if that's required. Her sterling acquisition by eNCA has immediately been put to good news.

13:00 - 16:00 News Day

Andrew Barnes, Bhavna Singh

There is simply no better agenda-setting, real-time TV news show in South Africa during midday than News Day anchored from Cape Town by the already-good-wine-getting-better Andrew Barnes, recently paired with Bhavna Singh.

News Day on the eNCA does for South African TV viewers what American local city broadcasts have been doing for years and which Americans take for granted - it's real news, told visually, as it happens. 

News Day not only report the news, but responds to it before the story is done - very difficult to do when you don't yet have all the answers or the complete picture and can't get guests to studio because they're still making the news.

Bhavna Singh is the next new co-anchor for Andrew Barnes. Will she last in this new timeslot? Since they all seem to leave, leaving Andrew Barnes almost constantly having to settle in with a new changing co-anchor dynamic. 

He does pull the musical chairs of changing co-anchors off very well however - as well as being the de facto voiceover go-to guy for the eNCA news promos.

Bhavna Singh is a tad more serious in her on-screen presence than Andrew Barnes' previous co-anchors - it's not necessarily a bad thing. Being less breezy means overall more grativas for News Day as her demeanour more closely echoes that of the formidable Andrew Barnes.

16:00 - 18:00

Joanne Joseph

Currently on leave with Debora Patta sitting in temporarily on late afternoons on the eNCA, Joanne Joseph keeps her berth during the later afternoon when the tier in which the day's biggest news stories of the day are going to rank start to crystalise with more in-studio guests already talking about the day's news events and newsmakers doing phone interviews.

18:00 - 21:00 News Night

Jeremy Maggs, Iman Rappeti

Oh my. the eNCA immediately captured lightning in a bottle with the new pairing of Jeremy Maggs and Iman Rappetti for the news channel's flagship 2 hour nightly news show. 

I'm so immensely impressed by the instant chemistry, utter flowing professionalism and spontaneous exuberance which has been unlocked by moving and pairing Iman Rappetti with Jeremy Maggs.

Is this powerful news duo now together on News Night the start of the greatest era for this nightly news broadcast yet? 

Together Jeremy Maggs and Iman Rappetti makes News Night simply ooze sexy news appeal. They're television news stars in primetime in their prime; they're pulling the wagon together like workhorses who don't need to be told what to do - and they're very clearly and visibly having a lot of fun doing it. 

You simply want to watch News Night now - with sly grins Jeremy Maggs and Iman Rappetti know they're doing the very best appointment television news bulletin in South Africa. 

Having the luxury of two hours, the scope to do in-studio interviews and the resources to cover breaking news instantly incorporated into the show as well as perspective and analysis, News Night is a veritable tour-de-force of TV news coverage - strikingly well-done. If News Night isn't on you're PVR you're not getting the day's best TV news in South Africa.