M-Net schedules a Carte Blanche special for this Sunday at 6pm, revealing Madiba’s never-before-seen letters.

M-Net (DStv 101) has scheduled a Carte Blanche Special: Mandela's Letters as a once-off documentary special for this Sunday at 18:00 that will replace the second season of My Kitchen Rules SA for one week.

The Carte Blanche special at 18:00, that will be followed by the regular Sunday evening's Carte Blanche episode at 19:00, is one of the new programmes that form part of the MultiChoice, M-Net, Anant Singh and Carte Blanche TV and film content celebrating what would have been former president Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday on 18 July.

The Carte Blanche Special: Mandela’s Letters is a prelude to the DStv Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel that will be running on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the South African National Archives have been collecting and assembling letters Nelson Mandela wrote during his 27 years in prison.

Poignant, impassioned, gripping and inspirational, the letters – many of them never before revealed to the public – paint an intimate portrait of Madiba and provide insights into the ways in which he kept his spirits up during his incarceration.

"Carte Blanche, which is turning 30 this year, has reported on Madiba’s work and life in many exclusive inserts, and came closer to the man we got to know and love than most media outlets. Sunday’s programme continues this proud tradition," says Lani Lombard, M-Net's head of publicity.

My Kitchen Rules SA will return to the 18:00 timeslot on M-Net on Sunday 22 July.

Sunday's normal Carte Blanche episode at 19:00 on M-Net will look at the government's plan for national health insurance of which the details are sketchy and whether it's a silver bullet or a black hole.

Carte Blanche is also again looking at the beleaguered South African Airways (SAA) as the struggling national airline continues with yet another cost-cutting exercise trying to claw back to profitability. The show looks at how international low-cost models could provide the answer.

The show will also have an insert on home hijacking at a residential complex in Gauteng's East Rand, as well as the future of self-driving and electric cars that are bound to make their way to South Africa as well and how the country's laws and infrastructure will have to catch up.

M-Net and the History channel frontloading mid-July with a DStv pop-up channel and Nelson Mandela programming to celebrate what would have been Madiba's 100th birthday.

M-Net and History (DStv 186) are frontloading mid-July with Nelson Mandela programming for pay-viewers to celebrate what would have been the late South African statesman's 100th birthday.

M-Net is doing a Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform that will run on channel 199 from 18 July, while A+E Networks UK's History channel is launching a mobile app along with special Madiba curated programming from 16 July, for a week, running until 22 July.

MultiChoice is also opening the History channel to DStv Compact, DStv Family and DStv Access subscribers between 16 and 23 July.

The Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel will run for 5 days starting on what would have been Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday, 18 July, and will be available to all DStv subscribers in South Africa, as well as across the rest of Africa, until 21 July.

The Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel is packaged by M-Net, using archive footage from M-Net's long-running actuality magazine show, Carte Blanche, as well as celebrity interviews.

"Around the globe, Nelson Mandela is revered as a hero of the struggle and as the man who led South Africa to democracy," says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice's general entertainment CEO.

"While striving for justice and freedom and shaping a nation, he also changed the world with his humility and indomitable spirit. We are immensely proud to dedicate a unique pop-up channel to celebrate the life and legacy of this beacon of selflessness and reconciliation, who gave hope to millions," says Yolisa Phahle.

All of the content from the pop-up channel will be made available on DStv Catch Up Plus through connected Explora  decoders and on DStv Catch Up on DStv Now.

Meanwhile MultiChoice will match all advertisers' investment on Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel and donate all these funds to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

"It's important to us to make a real and lasting impact where we can. Donating all the money from advertising on the special pop-up channel, and also matching it, means we can make a meaningful contribution to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund," says Fahmeed Cassim-Surtee, DStv Media Sales CEO.

A+E Networks UK's History channel is launching a mobile app that can be downloaded on the Android Playstore or IOS Store through which viewers will be able to share their personal stories or moments with Nelson Mandela.

The app will give people the choice of two filter options for their story, as well as selection of background music they can add. Some of these stories will be shown on social media like History's Facebook page.

"We are excited to launch an app that enables viewers to generate their own content and to share their moments with the icon that was Nelson Mandela," says Yusuf Nabee, A+E Networks Africa general manager.

Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel line-up
The Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel will show a 4-part mini-series from Wednesday 18 July, with an episode per night at 20:00, of The Long Walk to Freedom with Idris Alba - a new director's cut of the 2013 film that's based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography that focuses on his early life and 27 years in prison.

On 21 July the channel will show the 2009 film Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood, with Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Springbok rugby captain Francois Pienaar. The film follows the real story of South Africa's victory at the 1995 Rugby World Cup where Madiba famously walked on to the Ellis Park turf in the number 6 jersey usually worn by Francois Pienaar.

The Face of Unity is a documentary with previously unscreened footage and tributes from former American president Barack Obama, golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, musician Ray Charles and Hollywood legends like Samuel L. Jackson and George Lucas.

In the Name of Mandela, War and Peace is a documentary about the political history of South Africa from the time of the discovery of gold in 1886 to the election of Nelson Mandela as president in 1994.

Mandela's Unsung Heroes is a documentary looking at the Rivonia trial in which some of Nelson Mandela's fellow-accused in the trial that led to his incarceration on Robben Island, share their memories.

Countdown to Freedom is a documentary with James Earl Jones and Alfre Woodard as the narrators and chronicles the behind-the-scenes lead-up to South Africa's first democratic elections.


History channel channel line-up
On Monday 16 July at 19:15 History will broadcast Idris Alba: Mandela, My Dad and Me following the actor's struggle in producing and releasing an album inspired by his time researching and portraying Nelson Mandela in The Long Walk to Freedom.

Mandela City on Tuesday, 17 July at 19:15 is a documentary looking at the racial prejudice that Nelson Mandela encountered when he moved to Johannesburg and how it lead to his rapid politicisation.

Mandela Country on Wednesday, 18 July at 19:15 is a documentary chronicling Nelson Mandela's early years. Born in one of the most rural parts of South Africa, Nelson Mandela is adopted by the Thembu royalty after the death of his father, but the lure of the city is more powerful, and he flees to Johannesburg.

Mandela Rivonia on Thursday, 19 July at 19:15 is a documentary looking at Nelson Mandela's incarceration in Robben Island.

Flat 13 on Friday 20 July at 19:15 is a documentary that looks at the flat in downtown Johannesburg that became a hub of resistance against apartheid between the late 1940's and early 1960's.

Mandela Tribute: Farewell Father on Sunday, 22 July at 20:15 is a documentary that celebrates Nelson Mandela's life and his achievements, from the inception of the ANC, imprisonment and become a South African president.

e.tv is looking for documentary proposals to honour Nelson Mandela; wants proposals only from producers from outside Gauteng and Western Cape.

Broadcaster e.tv is looking for TV documentary proposals from producers outside of Gauteng and the Western Cape and want producers, production companies and people interested in making 23-minute documentaries about Nelson Mandela to submit proposals.

As part of the 2018 centennial celebrations in honour of Nelson Mandela, e.tv wants documentaries from independent TV producers about individuals or groups that capture the spirit and values of Nelson Mandela.

Producers from the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North West can submit proposals for a 23-minute documentary to e.tv by 18 August.

According to e.tv the documentary has to relay a message that is proudly South African and no less than 15% of the dialogue must be in languages other than English and which are unique to the province.

What e.tv needs in the proposal is a detailed treatment of the proposed documentary; a description of the locations where the documentary is to be shot and the names of individuals to be interviewed; the proposed name/s of the presenter or commentator, if any; production budget incorporating a detailed description on personnel, equipment and resource requirements; and information which confirms that the key personnel working on the documentary are based in the province concerned.

e.tv says it will accept programme proposals only from South African production companies which have a registered business address in the province concerned and must provide proof of previous productions completed.

Proposal and all supporting documentation should be submitted to the email address of Proposals@etv.co.za and the submission deadline is 17:00 on 18 August 2017.

Today's interesting TV stories to read from TV with Thinus - 5 October 2015

■ SABC's matricless Hlaudi Motsoeneng tells Sunday Times the journalist is asking the wrong question.
SABC suddenly dumped planned cricket commentary for the first T20 international cricket match between South Africa and India on Friday, but it will now return after Diane Reimer, SABC head of sport told SABC staff that "we will not cover the India tour" because there is apparently "no return on investment".

■ The SABC "concerned" and regrets comments made by Leanne Manas
after SABC2's Morning Live anchor spoke about the alleged arrival of Microsoft founder Bill Gates in South Africa. SABC management "views this matter in a serious light and is in the process of engaging Leanne Manas and will communicate accordingly once all the internal processes have been finalized".

■ The Commission for Gender Equality clears the SABC's matricless boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng
after he was allegedly given a wife as a present by rural leaders in Limpopo in 2014. "We always said as the SABC that we believe that was a symbolic gesture," says SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.

■ Dr. Phil crisis behind the scenes.
The new 14th season of Dr. Phil seen in South Africa on SABC2 is mired in chaos behind the scenes, with brutal firings, staff unrest, PR head fired, and there's "about to be a mutiny".

■ Better executives could help improve the struggling SABC.
Suddenly removing SABC board members for political reasons has made the SABC board dysfunctional says the Centre for Corporate Governance.

■ The ANC political party is worried about negative things at the SABC.
And the hate from the South African media for president Jacob Zuma. ANC says the crisis at the SABC reflects badly on the ANC-led government.

■ Meanwhile the South African Communist Party (SACP) blasts the ANC over matricless Hlaudi Motsoeneng saying its"a stark example of what happens when we leave the media in the hands of those only interested in personal self-accumulation, including obscene increases in salaries for incompetent and unqualified individuals".
- Also says the SABC is an example of "growing shame and embarrassment":
It has indisputably been hijacked by a tiny cabal of self-promoting individuals, abusing political access to materially advance themselves, at the expense of the SABC itself, and of the millions of people it should serve".

■ Lifetime's (DStv 131) new "Unauthorized Story of" movies explained.
The biographical movies about the life behind popular 90s TV shows, from Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place and Full House are because those teen viewers are now the grown target market as nostalgia hits a resurgence together with the remake of TV shows.
And the biggest revelations from The Unauthorized Beverly Hills, 90210 Story.

■ Why American broadcasters are waiting longer to cancel low-rated shows.
Executives wait longer to see how shows add viewers in repeated viewing and later,time-shifted viewing on PVR.

■ H . A . M . S . T. E. R. S.
The opening title sequence of FRIENDS - done by hamsters.

■ Lame, boring Homeland remains
The new 5th season of Homeland on M-Net Edge (DStv 102) was supposed to mark a fresh start. But the tired drama is now a frustrating failure.

■ Laurence Fishburne will play Nelson Mandela in BET (DStv 129) miniseries.
Will play the hero in the 6-part miniseries with Nelson Mandela's grandson Kweku Mandela as the executive producer.

■ David Boreanaz: Bones should end after the 11th season.
Says forensic drama series has gone on long enough.

■ MultiChoice says its investing $3 million in East Africa.
Pay-TV platform is growing an East African content hub to churn out films and shows from Kenya.

■  New Quantico, Minority Report draw most diverse viewers.
Quantico on Vuzu AMP (DStv 114) and Minority Report on FOX (DStv 125 / StarSat 131) are the new TV dramas drawing the most diverse audiences in America - in part thanks to the diverse casting choices.

Nelson Mandela's TV controller reveals: Tata loved watching Toddlers & Tiaras and National Geographic Channel.

One of Nelson Mandela caregivers - the one who controlled his TV remote - is finally revealing his best television programmes ... and it turns out Tata loved watching Toddlers & Tiaras and the National Geographic Channel.

A year after his passing, major Motshidisi Sehotsane from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) told eNCA (DStv 403) what Madiba liked to watch most on TV.

Although there was nothing on the SABC that Nelson Mandela really enjoyed, he loved Toddlers & Tiaras on TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) and the National Geographic Channel (DStv 181).

"On National Geographic Channel he enjoyed those animals, I'm telling you. After that, if it became boring, I'd change to Toddlers & Tiaras. Yo. Tata used to love those kids," said Motshidisi Sehotsane.

"So Toddlers & Tiaras and National Geographic Channel used to be me and Tata's favourites."

Nelson Mandela Redrawn coming to History on Friday 18 July at 20:30 as another new Madiba documentary - but with a surprising twist.

You're reading it here first. 

Nelson Mandela Redrawn is another new documentary coming to History (DStv 186) - set to be broadcast on the channel on 18 July at 20:30 - but this one with a surprising and interesting, narrative twist.

Nelson Mandela Redrawn coming in July follows the celebrity laden Miracle Rising which Combined Artistic Productions produced for History and which was shown in February last year on the channel.

What makes Nelson Mandela Redrawn different from Miracle Rising's celebrity Rolodex fawning, is that the story of Nelson Mandela - a more intimate biographical portrait - will be told in eight chapters ... and in reverse.

Nelson Mandela Redrawn will unfold in reverse telling the story of the globally respected late statesman and "father of the nation" of South Africa, and then taking the story, his life and times back all the way to his rural childhood in the Eastern Cape.

Nelson Mandela Redrawn will contain, look at and provide perspective on all the seminal moments that transformed Nelson Mandela into the man he eventually became, to provide a portrait of Nelson Mandela the icon.

The History documentary, produced in South Africa, examines the unique way Nelson Mandela handled the challenges of his life, from his relationship with the British Royals, and the attempted suicide of a South African rugby hero, to epic political strategies that helped to clinch a soccer World Cup, and how he helped to avert possible civil war.

CNN's website changes to Nelson Mandela on Sunday morning to mark his passing on the day of his funeral in South Africa.

This morning, on the day of the funeral of Nelson Mandela in Qunu, CNN changed the global news channel's website to Nelson Mandela as part of a tribute to the global icon.

CNN International's (DStv 401) ongoing coverage since last week Thursday when news broke of Nelson Mandela's death, has been and continued to be exemplary - the best of all the 24-hour news channels available in South Africa.

"The CNN International home page is honouring Nelson Mandela on the day of his funeral," said Peter Bale, the vice president and general manager for digital at CNN International.

"We felt that using what would normally be advertising space in this way was an appropriate and tasteful way to mark the passing of a world figure of unrivaled stature. CNN has for decades committed to covering the continent of Africa, its struggles and its achievements. It seemed right to present the news of his death and his legacy in a way that was out of the ordinary."

SABC finally turns the on-screen channel logos of the SABC channels, SABC1, SABC2, SABC3 to black following Nelson Mandela's death.

The SABC finally followed the example of the numerous other TV channels which had their channel markers and idents turned onto a black-and-white version since a week ago.

The corner channel logos of SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 also started to appear in black-and-white

Marlee Matlin on the fake 'sign language' trash beamed to millions by the SABC from the Nelson Mandela memorial: 'It's offensive to me.'

ASIBONANGA. What we should have seen at Nelson Mandela's memorial service on Tuesday: Real, quality, beautiful tributes like this one.

No fake sign language interpreters. No rich elite sipping tea while the poor have to wait and stand in the rain.

No boo's.

Just a beautiful tribute to Nelson Mandela and some of what Nelson Mandela's memorial service on Tuesday at the FNB Stadium could, should have been.

The Soweto Gospel Choir did a flash mob and tribute to Nelson Mandela in Woolworths' Parkview store.

It was heartfelt, beautiful, quality, and real.

South African police blocking journalists from getting access to the houses they've been renting in Qunu for Nelson Mandela funeral.

Exactly like during South Africa's apartheid years -  ironically - the South African Police Service on Wednesday blocked journalists, TV reporters and photographers from going into or getting access to public places, or even to fetch their belongings, clothes and equipment out of the houses in Qunu in the Eastern Cape.

TV reporters locally and internationally, journalists and photographers have been renting rooms and houses in the poor village to cover Nelson Mandela's death and upcoming funeral in Qunu on Sunday.

The heavy-handed South African police and the government are not giving any reasons for restricting reporters and journalists free access to places and where they've been staying, except suddenly saying the press renting houses and rooms close to Nelson Mandela's home in Qunu are "violating protocol".

Journalists, TV reporters and photographers are barred from even fetching their own clothes from houses and rooms they've been renting in the poor region this week where locals also charged press R10 for amenities such as using outside non-flush toilets, so-called "long drops".

The South African police and the government are barring journalists, reporters and photographers from doing their job while they're covering an international and national South African event of importance.

South Africa's government is unable to explain, or is unwilling to be specific about why further roads, areas and houses in Qunu are suddenly blocked and which are not presenting a direct and immediate security concern to Nelson Mandela's house.

Collins Chabane, the minister in the presidency on Wednesday said the media in Qunu who have been there the entire week since the weekend and have been reporting stories unhindered, "have violated the protocols and arrangements that are in place in Qunu".

No such protocols have been given to the press previously who are now locked out of where they were staying.

The N2 national road - the main road to and from Qunu - has been closed off since the weekend for a few kilometres before and after Nelson Mandela's home.

The side road through Qunu, which the media and others used to get closer to Nelson Mandela's house has now also been closed off.

"Government appeals to members of the media to respect former president Nelson Mandela's final resting place in Qunu, Eastern Cape," said Collins Chabane.

Collins Chabane didn't specify how the media, given the massive national and international interest, are supposed to adequately and properly cover the news unhindered if they're denied access to basic, non-security risk areas where normal Qunu residents are staying who've opened their homes to the press, after being asked to do so by the same government last week.

The side road through Qunu, which media and other people used to get to the house, was closed late on Tuesday afternoon.

Obituary image graphic at Nelson Mandela's memorial service shown in the FNB Stadium stolen from ABC News.

Besides a totally fake sign language interpreter on the dignitaries' stage at Nelson Mandela's memorial service at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday - making South Africa the laughing stock of the world again and angering hearing impaired people around the world - the Nelson Mandela obituary image shown on the screens inside the stadium was stolen from ABC News.

The graphic was actually designed by ABC News digital designer Ma'ayan Rosenzweig and used by the event organisers of the memorial service.

Although used and projected inside the FNB Stadium, the obituary graphic was seen globally since the SABC News' pool feed send to other news channels and international broadcasters, and broadcasters who had their own cameras for media box reporting, all had the image in their background shots.

The tasteless and pathetic fake sign language interpreter used by the event organisers - who did nothing but basically flap his arms and make strange signs, if anything, during the proceedings - is already drawing criticism from international TV and TV news broadcasters.

The fraud did nothing but gesturing gibberish to a global audience of millions tuning in on Tuesday.

It would have been a joke if it wasn't so disrespectful to the legacy of Nelson Mandela, with his bizarre hand-gestures which had zero accuracy, were not accurate at all, and made no sense.

The fake was employed and used before to "sign" standing next to president Jacob Zuma at ANC events.

The embarrassing and major international scandal at Nelson Mandela's memorial service is one more terribly bad story originating from the South African event, coupled with the booing of president Jacob Zuma, and the SABC's ban on broadcasting the booing and censorship from any reporting in news bulletins on the public broadcaster.

It's not clear why this complete fraud was employed, or by whom, and who has now brought international shame to the country.

'Move, move!' A glimpse of the manic mess of pre Nelson Mandela memorial service live footage the SABC deemed fit to send into the world.

Is this Safta winning news coverage?

Just a few seconds of the erratic, crazy, terribly bad, SABC pool camera pre coverage the South African public broadcaster filmed and piped live to other TV news channels and international broadcasters of the memorial service of Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday.

You just don't show this on television - live or otherwise - even if you have access to it and are filming it. Why the SABC's editors and control room operators, let alone the cameraman, didn't do better or know better, is anyone's guess.

You simply don't see this kind of messy, raw footage on other channels, networks and live major events (although it also exists and are fed to the control room) during other broadcasting events.

Who's this? Squatters? No. They're the ordinary South Africans who came to show last respects and to honour Nelson Mandela at his memorial service on Tuesday.

But in the rain they were forgotten. The people who really should have received top billing at Nelson Mandela's memorial service and who were literally left out in the cold, and who had to "hide" and find shelter underground from the rain and in the numerous access tunnels to the stadium.

Because the focus was on celebrities and international dignitaries and foreign notables, for these people there were not shelter against the rain. For them there were no umbrellas; no aides carrying cover. No swift walk-through VIP access, or servers offering tea and coffee.

BREAKING. The banned booing of president Jacob Zuma the SABC censored at Madiba's memorial service; call for 'urgent investigation'.

On Tuesday the SABC ordered the shocking censoring of live TV coverage of an event of national importance, placed a ban on broadcasting the booing of president Jacob Zuma, as news bosses also ordered and maintained a effective news blackout on reporting that Jacob Zuma was boo-ed at Nelson Mandela's memorial service.

While print media, electronic media and other TV news channels lead with coverage of Jacob Zuma being boo-ed by the crowds at Nelson Mandela's memorial service on Tuesday, the SABC scrambled to keep the scenes off television, while the SABC's primetime news bulletins, as well as SABC News - the public broadcaster's 24-hour TV news channel - didn't give it any coverage in reportage.

The shocking censorship follows after the SABC's Morning Live anchor Leanne Manas, covering the memorial service from the FNB Stadium as one of several SABC reporters at the stadium, earlier on Tuesday proudly proclaimed that "we have cameras everywhere; all the angles, to bring you this event".

"What was striking about the SABC's coverage of the Nelson Mandela memorial service was the way in which it was censored with the omission of the booing of Jacob Zuma," says an observer.

The sudden ongoing censorship from the SABC could be the explanation for the bad sound, odd video, strange video angles and bad sound and video quality from the SABC pool cameras which other TV news channels and international broadcasters were forced to use and instantly led to complaints regarding quality such as CNN International (DSTV 401) apologising to viewers for the weird and bad video and sound as the SABC tried to omit certain things from being seen and heard.

While TV news channels like CNN International, Sky News and eNCA immediately picked up on the story of Jacob Zuma being boo-ed - as well as print publications which had stories online as well as analysis pieces from the afternoon - the SABC had no news reporting on it online until much later in the evening and only as a side-reference in another story regarding Desmond Tutu.

There was no coverage of the booing incidents on SABC News and the crowds making the rolling of hands as the soccer substitute sign for "time for a new player", and nothing in primetime bulletins on the SABC - although it was the lead story on Tuesday evening on eNews Prime Time and eNCA.

"By 14:58 is was the main story on the eNCA website with a clip of the booing. The first mention of it on the SABC News website was four hours later at 19:08 and then it is mentioned only peripherally and in condemnation in a story about Desmond Tutu's rebuke of the crowd," says an independent observer.

It is the second booing incident of Jacob Zuma's government censored and not shown by SABC News, following the incident in 2005 when the deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the time was boo-ed although an SABC camera was present and captured the event.

Insider sources at the SABC tell  TV with Thinus the booing was unexpected and "the first reaction was to somehow veer away from it and not give it attention to maintain the decorum of the memorial service".

"It wasn't deliberate until everyone realised the crowds are doing it deliberately and everytime he [Jacob Zuma] comes up [on the giant screens in the stadium]. The screens were turned off inside [the stadium] to minimise the jeering but that wasn't the SABC."

"The decree was not to show or do anything that would detract from the event. That was broadly the understanding but everyone knew it meant in effect to not show or say or do anything to embarrass the ruling party and especially not the leadership of the current ruling party, meaning him [Jacob Zuma]," said another source.

According to sources Nyana Molete, the SABC's national TV news editor ordered the control room to "cut away" from booing coverage. Later during the day, according to SABC news staff, Jimi Matthews, the SABC's head of news ordered the booing news be downplayed and not to be mentioned in the primetime news output.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says "the millions of South Africans and people all over the world including the media expected us to show the memorial service of Madiba as it is, and the SABC heeded to this call and showed the 'booing' or the said incident as we carried it as a live broadcast."

"It is the prerogative of the SABC to decide to use its discretion in line with its editorial codes and what it deems as the top story of the day. The memorial of Madiba and how his life was celebrated with various people around the world sharing their moments and experiences with Madiba remains important to the world and not the incident."

Kaizer Kganyago says "the international media organisations that had access to SABC material complimented the quality of the coverage with some describing it as exciting, colourful and excellent."

The SABC didn't specifically answer questions TV with Thinus made regarding SABC editorial policy, what parts of policy the SABC used to direct live and news coverage, and whether and who ordered the booing censorship and footage ban.

Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) viewed the primetime bulletins on Tuesday on SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 and confirms that no mention of the booing incident was made in any of the bulletins.

"If we consider the stature of the speaker, the president of South Africa, and the importance of his speech, there can be little doubt that the story was newsworthy," says MMA, saying the SABC's decisions to censor and ban the booing coverage "constitutes a clear violation of the SABC's editorial code".

"The code of conduct for broadcasters also requires the SABC to report news truthfully, accurately and objectively." The MMA says the SABC's cenorship "feeds allegations of political interference at our public broadcaster and undermine its credibility."

"The MMA calls on the SABC editor-in-chief, the group CEO Lulama Mokhobo, to carry out an urgent investigation and to brief the public on its terms, progress and outcomes, and we call on SABC News management to ensure it not only adheres to its editorial policies but practices the highest standards of ethical professional journalism."

CLEVER. On CNN International Nelson Mandela's isn't from 1918 until 2013. He's forever.

CNN International (DStv 401) debuted this In Memoriam title card at the the close of Christiane Amanpour's special hour long edition of Amanpour on Tuesday night.

First the "Nelson Mandela 1918 - " appeared.

Then, instead of the expected "2013" to close the bracket, the word "Forever" materialised.

CNN International continues to lead with the best, high-quality, informative and exemplary coverage of Nelson Mandela's life - and death - among of all the available TV news channels.

BREAKING. Nelson Mandela's televised memorial service at FNB Stadium marred by bad pool camera video and sound issues.

Millions of South Africans watching - as well as many millions more tuning in around the world, saw Nelson Mandela's televised memorial service at the FNB Stadium marred by not just a late start but also video and sound problems from the TV feed delivered to all broadcasters by the SABC.

Nelson Mandela's memorial service at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg was supposed to start at 11:00 but with a stadium more than half empty due to logistical problems and rain, the ceremony only got underway at 12:00.

The ceremony started with none of the American presidents yet in attendance, while foreign dignitaries, other notable guests and ordinary South Africans still arrived and filed into the stadium long after 11:00.

"Clearly this is not going to be starting on time," said Anderson Cooper on CNN International (DStv 401) as TV news broadcasters like the BBC World News and eNCA switched to coverage from their respective media boxes at the Stadium. SABC News and ANN7 also had roving reporters in the stadium.

There was no indication of why American president Barack Obama and other American notable guests were no-shows when the memorial service started and why they were late.

CNN International for instance apologised to viewers for the visual and audio quality which included erratic roving shots of dignitaries arriving and strange stadium shots of visitors.

Viewers saw bad angles, got open audio and heard things like handlers shouting at the media to "move, move" when heads of state arrived, coupled with bad video and sound on television throughout the memorial service and the various speeches and songs.

Cooper told viewers that it's a pool camera feed which CNN International had to use and over which CNN had no control. The same video feed was seen on the other TV news channels.

"This is a pool camera being controlled elsewhere. We're not controlling the shots. If you're wondering why we're showing you particular shots - we're not in control of this," Cooper told viewers.

"We're haven't been showing you all of the speeches because frankly there's a lot of audio issues and video issues as well. This is a pool camera. This is not our camera. So we've been dipping in and out whenever possible," said Cooper.

Co-anchor Christiane Amanpour on CNN International remarked that it was difficult to at times actually see the foreign dignitaries and to identify them to viewers. This was due to bad camerawork and bad angles and the camera not zooming in far enough.

"If you're sitting at home and thinking 'god it hard to hear what they're saying, it is 10 times harder to hear what they're saying for the people in this stadium. It's not as if everyone in this stadium are sitting here and being able to hear what some speakers are saying. People are just hanging out and not able to hear what the speakers are saying," said Anderson Cooper.

"It would be great if the sound was worked out a bit better," said CNN International's Robyn Curnow.

BREAKING. TV news channels switch to half empty FNB Stadium and anchors in media boxes for Nelson Mandela memorial service.

BBC World News with George Alagiah

Nelson Mandela's memorial service at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg was supposed to start at 11:00 but with a stadium more than half empty due to logistical problems, it won't and there's no indication of when it actually will.

"Clearly this is not going to be starting on time," said Anderson Cooper on CNN International (DStv 401).

TV news channels, from BBC World News, CNN International, eNCA and SABC News have switched to coverage from their respective media boxes at the FNB Stadium. ANN7 also had a roving reporter at the stadium.

CNN International with Anderson Cooper, Robyn Curnow, Christiane Amanpour and David McKenzie

Sky News with Jeremy Thompson

eNCA with Nikiwe Bikitsha and Jeremy Maggs

SABC News had Leanne Manas and Vuyo Mvuko in the media box and SABC reporters Chriselda Lewis and Yolisa Njamela on the field.

ANN7 with Harja Omarjee

BREAKING. Tracy Going returns to South African television, anchors Live on 3 with Masechaba Mtolo as a new week-long Madiba talk show.

Tracy Going, the former Morning Live co-anchor on SABC2, returned to television and the SABC on Monday afternoon, co-anchoring the new limited-run weekday talk show Live on 3 at 15:00 on SABC3 with Masechaba Mtolo.

The hour long Live on 3 will run from Monday until Saturday on SABC3 with new episodes daily, and late night repeats.

Neither the SABC, SABC News (which is the division under which the programme falls), nor SABC3 which broadcast Live on 3 from today, issued or released any formation regarding the show, anchors or content.

Live on 3 utilises the exact same set being used by SABC News for SABC1's new limited-run talk show, Mandela: The World That Made Him.

Like Mandela: The World That Made Him, Live on 3 will look and discuss Nelson Mandela's impact and legacy and talk about various aspects and facets regarding his life.

"We knew that this day would come, and now that moment is here. It is difficult. It is painful to accept what happened. And we are a country in mourning," said Tracy Going on Monday afternoon.

Masechaba Mtolo is co-incidentally also a former Morning Live-er where she was a presenter, and also appeared on SABC3's Isidingo soap as a newspaper editor character - her first TV acting job.

National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) on death of Nelson Mandela: 'We salute our filmmakers who captured his story in his lifetime'.

South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) says "the country and the world mourn this icon who taught the world the importance of reconciliation, unity, forgiveness and peace".

"Madiba contributed immensely to the transformation of this country, a contribution that led to our people gaining a voice to speak freely and to tell the story of South Africa," says Zama Mkosi, NFVF CEO.

"To all the filmmakers, let us continue to celebrate and honour our former president through the telling of his story, honouring his memory and in the process ensuring that the world and future generations remember his life and are inspired to themselves live out all that Madiba stood for."

"We salute our filmmakers who had the foresight to capture the Nelson Mandela story in his lifetime, now more than ever that work will be our means of positive reflection and inspiration."

"As we bid Tata farewell, we salute the film industry for continuing to capture the nation's sentiments in moving pictures," says Zama Mkosi.

South Africa's broadcasting regulator warns international broadcasters to apply for licences to cover Nelson Mandela's funeral.

International broadcasters will have to apply to broadcast and do coverage of the state funeral of Nelson Mandela, warns South Africa's broadcasting regulator.

As the country and the world mourns the passing of Nelson Mandela, international broadcasters descending on South Africa will have to apply for permission for full coverage of the funeral, says the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).

"All broadcasters must ensure that they have the requisite radio frequency spectrum and type-approval licences when covering the upcoming state funeral of Nelson Mandela," says Icasa.

"For the coverage of international special events, broadcasters usually bring communications equipment such as satellite news gathering (SNG) to relay their broadcasts to their respective international audiences."

"The SNG's require a radio frequency spectrum licence to be allocated for this purpose and some video cameras with microphones and a wireless capability needs type-approval to ensure that there are no reported cases of interference with licensed services."

Icasa warns that it will  be doing inspections.

"In covering the funeral of Nelson Mandela, all international broadcasters will have to go through this standard licensing process for compliance purpsoses and when a radio frequency spectrum licence is issued, the licensee is obliged to show it to Icasa inspectors as they continue to do routine monitoring and compliance duties," says the broadcasting regulator.