BREAKING. Mate Mosito-Okaba out as SABC3 channel head; replaced by Ed Worster as acting SABC3 channel head.

You're reading it here first.

I can be first to break the news that Mate Mosito-Okaba is gone as SABC3 channel head, replaced by Ed Worster as the new acting channel head for SABC3 in a massive shake-up that has now seen all three SABC TV channel heads being replaced by new acting general managers.

Sources are telling me that Mate Mosito-Okaba visited SABC3 yesterday for the last time. She was on sick leave for about a month anyway, but unrelated to her absence the last while was SABC's top management's plan to get rid of general managers anyway as part of the SABC's Trunaround Strategy. Mate Mosito-Okaba's contract wasn't renewed as SABC3 channel head and now she's gone. SABC insiders are also telling me that Mate Mosito-Okaba apparently would have possibly gotten a job as head of marketing over all three the TV channels. Since that plan didn't pan out, and since her contract as SABC3 channel head wasn't renewed, she has now left the SABC. Ed Worster, previously SABC2 program manager and since the middle of last year suddenly moved to acting head of the SABC's content hub, is now the new SABC3 acting channel head.

Leo Manne is now the new SABC1 acting channel head after Ray Nkwe's contract wasn't renewed (my story RIGHT HERE).
Pulane Tshabalala is the new acting SABC2 channel head in the place of Bessie Tugwana (my story RIGHT HERE).
And Ed Worster is the new SABC3 channel head in the place of Mate Mosito-Okaba.

Earlier in the week I also heard from sources that Kabelo Collis doing SABC3 publicity and who worked closely with Mate Mosito-Okaba has also resigned from the SABC. Bessie Tugwana is now also the new ''head of television'' over SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3.

BREAKING. Bessie Tugwana no longer SABC2 channel head but now the SABC's new ''Head of Television'' over SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3.

You're reading it here first.

I can reveal that Bessie Tugwana is no longer the channel head of SABC2 but is now the South African public broadcaster's head of television presiding in an acting capacity in this newly-titled top executive position over all three of the SABC's TV channels: SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3.

Indicative of a major shake-up being planned by the SABC for its 3 TV stations Bessie Tugwana - who was appointed as the general manager, or channel head, of SABC2 in April 2006 - is now the ''acting head of television'' at the SABC over all three SABC television stations. 

SABC1 channel head Ray Nkwe will be gone soon, while Pulane Tshabalala has been appointed as the new SABC2 channel head in the light of Bessie Tugwana's promotion at the broadcaster. Pulane Tshabalala is now the new ''acting general manager'' of SABC2. SABC3's channel head Mate Mosito-Okaba is also a gonner, to be replaced with a new acting channel head.

It signals a dramatic change for SABC television. Previously the SABC differentiated between its big public services and smaller commercial services. SABC1 and SABC2 as public television channels had a separate top executive line within the SABC, with SABC3 as a public commercial TV channel kept separate. The SABC had an overall head of public broadcasting services (Head of PBS for radio and television) and a head of commercial broadcasting services.

Clearly as part of the SABC's coming Turnaround Strategy this distinction will be falling away. It's becoming clear that the SABC's major restructuring will not be differentiating between ''public television and radio'' and ''commercial television and radio'', but rather all of television on one side (irrespective of whether its public or commercial) and all of radio on the other.

''It's indeed being swapped around,'' an insider tells TV with Thinus. ''All TV together and all radio together.''

Kaizer Kganyago, SABC spokesperson tells me that Bessie Tugwana's appointment in an acting capacity as the SABC's ''head of television'' happened ''not long ago''. As clarification, the new title of ''head of television'' didn't exist before, although basically Bessie Tugwana is performing executive duties that used to be filled by SABC executives who are no longer with the broadcaster.

''Incumbents left,'' says Kaizer Kganyago, ''and those positions were not filled. Once the SABC's Turnaround Strategy is implemented and the final structure is done and approved, posts will be advertised and then be filled.''

BREAKING. Tatum Keshwar joining Top Billing as newest TV presenter.

You're reading it here first.

I can exclusively reveal first that Miss South African 2008, Tatum Keshwar is joing Top Billing as the new presenter.

Tatum Keshwar has already started filming inserts for the high gloss weekly entertainment magazine show on SABC3. ''We're so happy to announce, the arrival of our latest presenter - someone who is no stranger to the local celebrity scene - and who we are absolutely sure will make an excellent asset to the Top Billing presenter squad: Miss South Africa 2008, Tatum Keshwar,'' says Tswelopele Productions.

''After numerous encounters with Tatum Keshwar during her reign as the country's most beautiful ambassador, we knew a great thing when we saw it. We're delighted to include Tatum Keshwar in our presenter line-up.'' Tatum Keshwar is ecstatic to be joining the Top Billing family, saying ''being chosen as a presenter is a dream come true''. SABC3's general manager, Mathe Mosito-Okaba is confident that Tatum Keshwar is perfect for the job. ''I'd like to welcome Tatum Keshwar to the SABC3 and Top Billing family. This is a ride you're definitely going to enjoy.''

BREAKING. SABC admits it was a ''challenging'' year, searching ''to find new ways'' to reach viewers.

You're reading it here first. The SABC hopes that some schedule changes on SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 in 2010, as well as the World Cup Soccer tournament, and some cosmetic refreshment on several local TV shows will help the broadcaster's three TV channels to lure back some of the viewers and advertisers that it's lost in this difficult year.

''The easy days of 'appointment viewing' are over,'' says the SABC, and points to the global economic recession, but also ''increasing fragmentation of audiences, new platforms, new technologies, aternative ways to view television and digital terrestrial television (DTT)'' as things that's making it much harder for TV channels to retain and gain viewers.

''Africa's leading broadcaster needs to find new ways t reach its traditional audiences,'' says the SABC. ''More than ever audiences are informed about the broadcasting environment and it remains up to the SABC to stay one step ahead in terms of content that is relevant as well as cutting edge.''

SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3's channel head's gave their view, click through below on Read More to see what each one of them has to say about the past year and what lies ahead in 2010!