Scandal! crew member Gary Megit dies in tragic accident after moving set on e.tv's Ochre Moving Pictures show

by Thinus Ferreira

Gary Megit (50), a crew member working on e.tv's Scandal! has died following a tragic accident after the team moved a section of the set.

Gary Megit, also known as "Gaz" and "Gazza", and who worked as a vision controller, was injured this past Friday while crew members helped to move a section of the Scandal! set and was taken to hospital.

The Arena Holdings-owned production company Ochre Moving Pictures confirmed to TVwithThinus that Gary Megit died in hospital on Sunday.

Gary Megit joined Ochre Moving Pictures in 2011, and previously worked as a vision controller at e.tv, eNCA, Stark Films, as well as Urban Brew Studios.

Stan Joseph, Ochre Moving Pictures CEO, says the team is devastated by the incident and Megit's passing. This is a time of immense sadness. Our deepest condolences go out to Gary's family."

"We are a very close-knit team on the show and are heartbroken by what's happened. Gary was a cherished member of the team and will remain in our hearts forever. We ask that Gary’s loved ones and the Scandal! team be given privacy and allowed to mourn with dignity during this painful time."

Joseph says the production team of Scandal! "places immense value and importance on the safety and security of its cast and crew".

"We take the safety of our cast and crew very seriously. This was an unforeseen and tragic accident."

kykNET's Die Brug and SABC2's Takalani Sesame get 2024 International Emmy Awards nods

by Thinus Ferreira

The reality show Die Brug on kykNET as well as the educational children's show Takalani Sesame both got 2024 International Emmy nominations.

It means that South Africa got two International Emmy Awards nods this year, compared to three last year and is also kykNET's first International Emmy Awards nomination ever.

The two South African shows are part of 56 International Emmy nominees across 14 categories that are competing in the 2024 International Emmy Awards taking place on 25 November in New York.

South Africa's two nominees are part of this year's nominees coming from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

"Every year the international television community competes to be recognized on the International Emmys' much-coveted global stage," says Bruce L. Paisner, International Academy president and CEO, in a statement.

"We congratulate the nominees for their outstanding programs and performances, they are once again a testament to the universal appeal of great storytelling across all genres, countries and cultures."

Die Brug, produced by Red Pepper Pictures for M-Net's kykNET (DStv 144) channel on MultiChoice's DStv has been renewed for a second season and is a nominee in the category for Best non-scripted entertainment.

Die Brug, produced by Frederick Louw and Lindi Lucouw, is also a contender in the Best International format category for this year's 18th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) organised by the National Film and Television Foundation (NFVF) taking place in October in Johannesburg.

In its International Emmy Awards category Die Brug is up against Me Caigo De Risa [Anything Goes] from TelevisaUnivision in Mexico, Restaurant Misverstand [The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes] from Roses Are Blue in Belgium, as well as The Summit from Endemol Shine Australia in Australia.

"Die Brug is a very special format and somewhat of an enigma to produce,” says Cecil Barry, CEO of Red Pepper.

"Working with kykNET on this wonderful format was indeed a great adventure and privilege. We are proud and excited about this Emmy nomination, especially because it brings international recognition to kykNET and Red Pepper."

Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of premium channels, says "When Marguerite Albrecht, one of the commissioning producers at kykNET, suggested in May 2022 that kykNET adapt the international format Die Brug for our viewers, we knew something exciting was coming".

"The end product, produced by Red Pepper, provided our viewers with immense enjoyment. To receive international recognition for an Afrikaans production filmed near the picturesque Swellendam in the Southern Cape is immensely gratifying. And the second season will be airing on kykNET next year."

Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment, says "Die Brug is one of those rare reality shows that come along from time to time that turn the genre on its head".

"We’re proud to have been able to adapt a top-notch international format for our local market – and produce such an amazing local version. Congratulations to our talented crew on bringing a uniquely South African flavour to Die Brug, which stands comfortably alongside versions produced anywhere else in the world."

The first season of Die Brug is currently available on MultiChoice's Showmax streamer.

Takalani Sesame which was also a nominee in the 2023 International Emmy Awards is again a nominee in the Kids: factual category.

Takalani Sesame on the South African public broadcaster's SABC2 and produced by the Sesame Workshop and Ochre Moving Pictures, is nominated for its Takalani Sesame Big Feelings special.

In the category, Takalani Sesame competes against De Mensenbieb [Living Library] from Skyhigh TV in the Netherlands, La Vida Secreta de tu Mente [The Secret Life of Your Mind] from Warner Bros. Discovery in Mexico, as well as My Life: Eva's Having a Ball from Fresh Start Media in the United Kingdom.

Mzansi Magic's crime drama Housekeepers back for a third season from 4 April.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) drama series Housekeepers with Thando Thabethe will return for a third season from Monday 4 April at 20:00.

Starring Thando Thabethe as Linda and Paballo Koza as her brother Mtho, the series produced by Ochre Moving Pictures follows an agent solving criminal cases while undercover as the house help.

While Linda has a new big crime to uncover in the third season's 13 episodes, her biggest fight is her desperate attempt to save Mtho's life.

Attending university and adjusting to his and his sister's new financially secure reality, Mtho is accused of a shocking crime with Linda who has to try and prove his innocence while keeping her true identity hidden from her dangerous new employers.

Having made a promise to their mother to keep Mtho safe, Linda is wracked with guilt and, since she couldn't save June, she wants to save her brother by any means necessary - something that leads her down increasingly morally ambiguous paths

The Housekeepers season 3 cast includes Gabriel Simphiwe Mini, Ernest Ndlovu, Andile Mxakaza, Noxolo Dlamini, Fezile Makhanya and Zandi Nhlapho.

The supporting cast includes Kenneth Nkosi, Connie Chiume and Chichi Letswalo.

"We're happy to keep giving viewers shows they love and Housekeepers is one of the series that has kept our audience enthralled since its premiere," says Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels.

"It's a very South African twist on the classic detective show, and it's so much more than a crime series. It's relevant and features social commentary and a lot of heart, while still being entertaining. The show is as multifaceted and as intelligent as our audience."

e.tv's Scandal! marks 4000th episode milestone.

by Thinus Ferreira

On Tuesday night e.tv's Scandal! marked the 4 000th episode of the local primetime weekday soap produced by Ochre Moving Pictures. 

After almost two decades on the air, Scandal! that had 4.7 million viewers in December on e.tv and that is filmed at Sasani Studios in Highlands North in Johannesburg, has grown to become the eMedia TV channel's highest-rated show since it broadcast its first episode on 10 January 2005.

After the failure of Backstage, e.tv kept trying with the debut of Rhythm City in 2007 that lasted for 15 seasons, and the debut of Scandal! - with the success of both that eventually proved the red letter broadcaster was capable of crafting and showing mass-market daily soaps that could compete and break the stranglehold that the SABC had on wide-appeal, big audience local primetime soaps.

e.tv says that Scandal!'s 4 000 episode-milestone is "a combination of dedicated writers, producers, directors, cast and crew who have committed their efforts to creating and delivering thought-provoking stories that have made Scandal! a household show".

Grace Mahlaba, Scandal! head writer, says "Ochre is super proud of the team of brilliant professionals who have sweated blood and tears to bring 4 000 top quality episodes to South African audiences, discovering extraordinary new talents along the way".

Sanele Zulu, e.tv's Scandal! producer, says "Families have risen and fallen: the mighty Nyathis, the brilliant Langas, the ruthless Mambas and the beloved Ngemas".

"We recently refreshed our set and introduced the Kubekas to keep the storyline relevant and provide our audiences with intriguing content. We are delighted about the reaction from our viewers."

Coronavirus: Lockdown in South Africa brings Lockdown and Trackers to Mzansi Magic as the M-Net-packaged channel on DStv scrambles to plug scheduling holes left by unfinished seasons of Housekeepers and eHostela.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's national lockdown period has forced M-Net to use Lockdown and other shows to plug sudden holes on its Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) schedule.

The spreading global Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic also affecting South Africa's struggling TV industry, caused a vast number of locally-produced TV series on public television and pay-TV to abruptly shutter in late-March.

M-Net is now replacing schedule gaps left by incomplete shows on its Mzansi Magic channel, packaged for MultiChoice's DStv channel, with various library series.

After broadcasting new promos throughout March for the second season of Housekeepers, produced by Oche Moving Pictures with Portia Gumede as showrunner and starring Thando Thabethe, Mzansi Magic has pulled the season that was scheduled to debut on Monday 6 April at 20:00.

In its place because of the national lockdown, Mzansi Magic is now showing a borrowed "lockdown": the 5th season the local prison series Lockdown, produced by Black Brain Productions, that was moved to MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax last year and that made its debut in January 2020 on the streamer.

Since filming hasn't yet finished on all of the episodes of Housekeepers with the production that only started filming at the beginning of March, M-Net decided to remove the series for the time being and to postpone its launch.

It has now been replaced with the prison-wall set series starring Dawn Thandeka King, Connie Chuime, Zola Nombona, Linda Sokhulu and Lorcia Cooper.

The second season of Housekeepers will now start at a date that is still to be determined later in 2020 with insiders who told TVwithThinus that the production was affected and shuttered due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

In another stopgap measure Mzansi Magic also replaced the second season of the KwaMashu-set series eHostela.

The Stained Glass TV produced series was also forced to shutter causing unplanned production delays, with Mzansi Magic that replaced it this past Sunday in the 20:00 timeslot with the locally-produced drama series Trackers that made its debut in October 2019 on the M-Net (DStv 101) channel.

Since 17 March MultiChoice, and individually the various M-Net-packaged channel sets, have all been asked numerous times which TV series specifically have been impacted or shut down because of the virus issue and the national lockdown but so far there's been no response.

Coronavirus: e.tv and kykNET soaps temporarily shutting down production for 21-day national lockdown in South Africa because of Covid-19.

by Thinus Ferreira

e.tv's locally-produced drama series and soaps, as well as the soaps and drama series on M-Net's kykNET (DStv 144) are now shuttering production ahead of the 21-day national shutdown in South Africa to try and minimise the rapid spread of Covid-19 cases as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to spread globally.

Mzansi Magic shuttered its HomeGround sports magazine show produced by SuperSport last week, with the talent search reality show Maak My Famous with Emo Adams that postponed in-studio audience filming of the second season season until April.

This was followed by Danie Odendaal Productions that shut down its 7de Laan weekday Afrikaans soap filmed at Sasani Studios on Tuesday. The cinema chains Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro have now also shuttered in South Africa.

Until last week all locally-produced weekday soaps seen on the SABC's SABC1 and SABC2 channels, e.tv, M-Net's 1Magic, Mzansi Magic and kykNET channels continued with production, as well as locally-produced magazine and current affairs shows.

SuperSport also continued with its locally-produced magazine and talk analysis shows, while reality shows like M-Net's second season of The Bachelor SA produced by Rapid Blue and Survivor SA: Immunity Island produced by Afrokaans for M-Net (DStv 101) and the 16th season of Idols produced by [SIC] Entertainment for Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) also remained in production.

On Wednesday kykNET told TVwithThinus that it is shutting down its Afrikaans soaps and drama series in production.

These include Binnelanders produced by Stark Productions, Suidooster produced by Gambit Films, Arendsvlei produced by Penguin Films and Getroud met Rugby produced by Overberg Productions.

kykNET says that all of its locally-produced shows "will adhere to preventative measures that have been announced by president Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday 23 March 2020".

kykNET says that the announced 21-day lockdown that will last until 16 April 2020 will not impact the current broadcast schedules of the daily dramas due to the fact that they are filmed in advance.

Reggy Moalusi, MultiChoice South Africa's executive head for corporate affairs, told TVwithThinus on Wednesday that "producers are in constant communication with the kykNET content team who are working on strategies to limit the impact of Covid-19 on the video entertainment industry, including actors, technical teams and viewers, to the absolute minimum".

Marlon Davids, e.tv managing director, told TVwithThinus on Wednesday morning that e.tv is temporarily shuttering its soaps Rhythm City produced by Quizzical Pictures, Scandal! produced by Ochre Moving Pictures and Imbewu produced by Grapevine Productions, as well as other drama series as well.

e.tv said that viewers don't need to worry since the free-to-air commercial broadcaster has enough already produced episodes.

"All production companies who work on our daily dramas and soaps will not be filming during the national lockdown but will continue on-air during the national lockdown."

He said that e.tv will continue to deliver news and entertainment programming during the national lockdown period.

It's not yet clear what will happen to SuperSport's locally-produced magazine shows or M-Net's Carte Blanche. 

SuperSport was asked but referred the media enquiry to MultiChoice on Tuesday who didn't respond with any answer. M-Net said it would provide an answer later in the week. The SABC said it would answer on Wednesday.

Mzansi Magic didn't give an answer as to what's happening with the production of Idols when asked with the show that just completed the initial round of nationwide auditions to prepare for the Johannesburg first group round.

KB Motsilanye replaces Kelly Khumalo as title star in BET's Dream: The Lebo Mathosa Story bio-series.

Actress KB Motsilanyane has replaced Kelly Khumalo who exited for as-yet-unknown reasons as the title star of BET's (DStv 129) Dream: The Lebo Matosha Story that will start airing on the channel and Showmax from Wednesday 6 November at 21:30.

After a public casting call earlier this year the Ochre Moving Pictures production settled initially roped in Kelly Khumalo, as well as the reality star Bahumi Madisakwane, but after Khumalo dropped out, producers scrambled to replace her with KB Motsilanyane to portray the legendary singer.

The two will depict different stages of the kwaito star's meteoric life that ended in tragedy.

KB Motsilanyane will portray the adult Lebo as she experiences the highs and lows of the music industry, which placed her as a music icon on a global stage, while Bahumi Madisakwane will depict the youthful Mathosa as she traverses the journey of finding her feet and realising her dream.

"It’s not an easy journey to play this character because it’s beyond imagination, larger than life and every single thing is a new experience. Walking in Lebo’s shoes is definitely one of the greatest things I have ever done,” said KB Motsilanyane in a supplied statement from Viacom Africa on Tuesday.

Bahumi Madisakwane said "The fondest memory I have of Lebo Mathosa was from when I was five or six and we went to the Rand Easter Show, a show where she and my father were performing.  I remember she was this amazing powerhouse on stage… and was always so maternal and protective over me and I think that is why I really want to tell her sincere, humble and emotional side.”

Dream: The Lebo Matosha Story is a co-production between BET Africa and Ochre Moving Pictures. and the  project is co-funded by the department of trade and industry, the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC)  and Showmax, supported by The Lebo Mathosa Foundation.

After Dream: The Lebo Mathosa Story premieres on Wednesday, 6 November on BET Africa episodes will become available on MultiChoice's video streaming service, Showmax, the following day.

Hectic Nine-9 presenter Anomsa Vantyi leaves SABC2 after 7 years; Mpho Sibeko joins e.tv soap Scandal!.

The Hectic Nine-9 presenter Anomsa Vantyi (right) is leaving SABC2's youth afternoon show Hectic Nine-9 after being seen on it for the past 7 years, while actor Mpho Sibeko has joined e.tv's weekday prime time soap Scandal!, making his first appearance on 9 November.

Anomsa Vantyi is leaving the Okuhle Media produced show, 7 years after he made his first appearance in 2011 when he started as the Eastern Cape regional presenter. 

After four years of representing Port Elizabeth, Anomsa Vantyi joined Hectic Nine-9 as a permanent studio presenter in Cape Town in February 2015.

Okuhle Media says Anomsa Vantyi "has chosen to pursue other adventures, and the Hectic Nine-9 family is excited to see where his next adventure takes him".

"Hectic Nine-9 wishes Anomsa success in his future endeavours and will cherish his 'Hectic' presence from his time on the daily youth variety show".

Meanwhile actor Mpho Sibeko has joined the Ochre Moving Pictures produced Scandal! on e.tv and will make his first appearance on 9 November.

Mpho Sibeko plays the role of Samson Ngema, a nephew of Mlungisi Ngema, and is a seemingly charming young pastor and prophet who is going to cause havoc. 

He previously appeared on e.tv'ssister soap Rhythm City, as well as e.tv's Gold Diggers telenovela.

BREAKING. Actor Sandy Mokwena known as Bra Eddie Khumalo in e.tv's soap Scandal! has died.

South African actor Sandy Mokwena (68) known for his role as Bra Eddie Khumalo in e.tv's weekday soap Scandal! died on Wednesday night.

The specific cause of death is not known yet although the free-to-air broadcaster e.tv says that the actor died from "natural causes". Scandal! is produced by Ochre Moving Pictures.

Sandy Mokwena had roles in several other South African TV series over the years, including the SABC's Generations, Soul City, Okavango, Khululeka, Going Up, Yizo Yizo, Justice for All and Zero Tolerance, and kykNET's (DStv 144) Plek van die Vleisvreters.

The actor who had a higher diploma in dramatic arts from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in the United Kingdom had a film resume that included appearances in Taxi to Soweto, The Principal, Dead End and Scarback.

e.tv in a statement says Sandy Mokwena "passed away last night in hospital from natural causes".

"e.tv is deeply saddened by the news and our condolences go out to Sandy’s family and the cast and crew of Scandal! Sandy Mokwena has been part of Scandal! since the first episode which aired in January 2005".

e.tv's prime time soap, Scandal!, notches a new highwater mark viewership of over 5 million viewers, as its most watched show continues its ratings growth.

e.tv's prime time weekday soap Scandal!, the red letter free-to-air broadcaster's highest rated show, notched a new highwater mark, pulling over 5 million viewers for the first time on 23 November.

With an audience rating (AR) of 14.4 that equates to 5 007 428 viewers older than 15 who tuned in, the Ochre Moving Pictures produced local soap hit a new top viewership record for the show, as well as for e.tv as the storylines continue to resonate with viewers.

Scandal!'s monthly ratings have been climbing every month throughout 2017 making it the most-watched show in the 19:30 timeslot across all channels since it moved timeslots on the schedule from its 20:00 berth.

e.tv says the channel is impressed and proud of Scandal!'s ratings performance with the show that will kick off its 13th year of production in January 2018 with three of the cast members having been ever-present: Joyce Skefu (who plays Maletsatsi Khumalo), Sandy Mokwena (as Eddie Khumalo) and Kagiso Modupe (as Mangi Nyathi).

"Scandal! has been one of the most watched shows on e.tv and we are thrilled with what they have accomplished," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, e.tv's general manager of local content.

"This milestone of over 5 million viewers adds to the many highlights the eFamily of channels has had this year and we are looking forward to many more in 2018."

"Rhythm City which leads into Scandal! at 19:00 also drew higher than usual viewers in November compared to previous Novembers with 3.1 million viewers; the highest number reached this year," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu.

Sex den actor from e.tv's Scandal! will appear in court today after arrest following police's brothel raid on Thursday.

The prominent young e.tv actor from TV soap Scandal! arrested in a sex den raid on Thursday by police in the East Rand will appear in court today.

The 21-year old actor who appears in e.tv’s most watched TV show produced by Ochre Moving Pictures luring 4.5 milion viewers on weeknights, was arrested on Thursday during the brothel raid in Springs after a 25-year old woman managed to escape the sex den in Springs, east of Johannesburg, and fled to the police.

The woman who told police that she is fearing for her life, has since been taken to a place of safety.

Seventeen people – 11 women and 6 men ranging in age between 19 and 43 – were arrested and charged with sexual exploitation and human trafficking, with TVwithThinus that understands that police found a large number of condoms on the premises.

The group including the actor who can't yet be named, will appear in the Springs Magistrate’s Court later today, charged under the Sexual Offences Act.

Police recently did another brothel bust in the same area where five girls were freed after they were held as teenage sex slaves in what was disguised as a barber shop.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele told me on Friday morning that the escaped woman ran from the brothel to the police. “She pointed out the brothel and that’s why the police went and raided the brothel”.

According to Kay Makhubele the preliminary police investigation identified the one person arrested as a TV actor in e.tv’s Scandal!.

e.tv in response to a media enquiry told me on Thursday evening that “e.tv is aware of the stories and speculation surrounding the arrest of an actor, but has received no further details at this stage".

"The channel will respectfully allow due process to take place,” said Vasili Vass, e.tv’s head of corporate affairs.

BREAKING. e.tv's Rhythm City and Scandal! safe after shocking Sasani Studios fire; both TV soaps will resume production on Wednesday.

 

You're reading it here first.

e.tv's two popular soaps Rhythm City and Scandal! are both safe following the devastating fire which ripped through Sasani Studios today and caused the shut-down of M-Net and DStv's Big Brother Africa Hotshots TV with Thinus can report, with both South African TV soaps which will resume production and filming on Wednesday.

Big Brother Africa Hotshots produced by Endemol South Africa was supposed to launch with a live broadcast event this coming Sunday evening at 19:00 on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform with broadcasts on M-Net's AfricaMagic Showcase (DStv 150) channel, as well as two DStv channels - 197 and 198 - broadcasting for 24-hours each across the African continent.

Both Rhythm City, produced by Quizzical Pictures in stage 6, and Scandal! produced by Ochre Moving Pictures in stages 3 and 7, are filmed at Sasani Studios's Highland North complex in Johannesburg called "soap city" where SABC1's Gospel Gold and the SABC3 soap Isidingo are also produced.

The fire shut down production on the lot today at Sasani Studios but TV with Thinus can report that Rhythm City and Scandal! will resume production on Wednesday, 3 September, and have not been affected by physical damage by the fire that broke out on Tuesday.

"The unfortunate fire that took place at the Big Brother Africa house studio this afternoon will not affect Rhythm City and Scandal!" I'm told.

"Filming will continue as per normal on Wednesday and viewers can be assured that it will be business as usual for both productions".