Actress Crystal-Donna Roberts (40) dead after losing battle against cancer

by Thinus Ferreira

Actress Crystal-Donna Roberts has died after losing her battle against stage four breast cancer. She was 40.

Crystal-Donna Roberts who has been in hospital for a period of time battling cancer, died early on Thursday morning in her sleep at home.

Her husband, Schalk Cornelessen who she married in October 2015, on Thursday morning said "Rest in peace my beautiful, beautiful, loving wife".

Crystal-Donna Roberts was known for her role of Janice Mortlock in the soap Arendsvlei on kykNET (DStv 144) and won a Safta award in 2018 for her portrayal of Krotoa in the Krotoa 2017-film. 

In 2019 she revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy after she felt a lump in her breast in March 2018. She also quit smoking.

After her mastectomy, cancer cells had spread to her certain glands, for which she got chemotherapy and lost her trademark hair.

Crystal-Donna Roberts who grew up in Cape Town, got her BA degree in drama and theatre at the University of the Free State after which she returned to Cape Town where she was a drama teacher at a school before her career as an actress took off.

Besides six seasons of Arendsvlei she was a field presenter on SABC2's Pasella and appeared in SABC2's 7de Laan soap as Janine.

Other TV roles included Die Boland Moorde, Die Byl, Die Spreeus, Fraksie, Fynskrif, Karavaan, Kompleks, Mense Mense, Montana, Projek Dina, Getroud met Rugby, Vloeksteen, Swartwater as well as Vallei van Sluiers.

In film she had roles in Die Ongelooflike Avonture van Hanna Hoekom, Skeem, Chronicle, The Endless River, and Tussen As en Hoop.

On stage she appeared in Little Shop of Horrors, Bidsprinkaan, Rome & Juliet: Unplugged, Rondomskrik, and Siener in die Suburbs.

Film producer Roberta Durrant of Penguin Films, says "We at Penguin Films are devastated by the passing of Crystal-Donna Roberts - an absolute professional, modest despite her unique and exceptional talent".

"Her portrayal of Krotoa, for which she garnered a Safta for Best actress in a feature film, was monumental and the reason the film gained so much international recognition."

"Her portrayal of Janice in Arendsvlei, for which she received two Safta nominations, was loved by all - feisty, sexy, yet deeply emotional."

"Having worked closely with her over several years, I witnessed her struggle with cancer. Throughout her treatment, she was determined to work - her innate strength and commitment were extraordinary and admirable."

"She will be missed by her colleagues and by all the South African viewers who loved her. Her legacy will live on through her body of work. Rest in peace, dear Crystal. Deep, heartfelt condolences to her family and those closest to her."

kykNET in a statement says "We share in the sorrow over the passing of Crystal-Donna Roberts, a remarkable actress known for her award-winning role in Krotoa and her gripping portrayals in Arendsvlei and Fynskrif".

"Our thoughts are with her husband, family and everyone who loved her during this time. Her talent and passion leave an indelible mark on our hearts".

More to come ...

'Characters all carrying dark secrets': Skemergrond to replace Arendsvlei as new Afrikaans telenovela on kykNET&kie from July.

by Thinus Ferreira

A new telenovela Skemergrond, set in a small Western Cape town will replace the popular Arendsvlei from July on kykNET&kie (DStv 145) with the new Afrikaans show also produced by Penguin Films and filled with characters "all carrying dark secrets".

Once the cancelled Arendsvlei ends, Skemergrond will also broadcast four episodes weekly from Mondays to Thursdays in the 19:30 timeslot on kykNET&kie. Casting that will include veteran actors as well as new faces is still to be announced.

The new telenovela is set in Gemoedsdrif, a small town in the Western Cape where the Louw family has a flower farm. 

The Louw lives are thrown into tumult when guests arrive unexpectedly, threatening to divulge shocking family secrets.

Roxanne Blaise who starred in Sara se Geheim and M-Net's upcoming White Lies is the principal director and also worked as director on Arendsvlei.

"We're ecstatic over this fantastic opportunity," says Roxanne Blaise. "The fresh and exciting cast will bring an epic family saga to television. Skemergrond is set in the rural Western Cape and the flower markets of Cape Town, filled with interesting characters who are all carrying dark secrets".

The other director on Skemergrond is Marissa Drummond who starred in kykNET series like Suidooster and Spoorloos: Die eiland. Bobby Stuurman who did director training on Arendsvlei is the dialogue coach and apprentice director on the new show. 

The Skemergrond writers' room consists of Jo-Ann Scholtz, Johann Davis, Alyzzander Fourie, Margaret Goldsmid, Meesha Aboo, Kanya Viljoen, Lauren Scholtz, Henry Cloete and Tristam Atkins.

Skemergrond's creative producers are veteran producer Roberta Durrant and Andrea Frankson-Titus.

"We've brought together an exceptional cast and a brilliant crew behind the scenes to tell a multi-faceted story filled with secrets, love and revenge," says Roberta Durrant. "Viewers will be captivated and surprised by all of the emotional twists and turns."

kykNET reveals cast of new Diepe Waters telenovela as several actors tread water in the same timeslot and newcomers take a dive into TV.

by Thinus Ferreira

kykNET has revealed the cast of its upcoming new Afrikaans telenovela Diepe Waters, with several faces from the cancelled Getroud met Rugby soap staying put and treading water in the same TV timeslot, while several new and veteran actors have been added to the Penguin Films produced series.

Set around a competitive South African swimming club, Diepe Waters will start on Monday 3 October in the 18:00-timeslot on kykNET (DStv 144).

Diepe Waters makes use of the existing Coronationville indoor swimming pool in Glencairn Street in Johannesburg for exterior scenes, as well as new studio-based sets constructed in Johannesburg.

On Tuesday evening kykNET revealed the cast at a poolside media event at the Hotel Sky in Sandton, Johannesburg, that included a Q&A with the cast and crew, as well as kykNET executives.

The Diepe Waters cast includes veteran actors like Justin Strydom, Sandi Schultz, Nadia Valvekens, Neels van Jaarsveld, Lea Vivier, Werner Coetser, Altus Theart, Lizz Meiring, Rika Sennet and Eloise Cupido, alongside a crop of new actors.

Justin Strydom plays Gys Swarts who lives beyond his means with his ambition and drive causing him to hurt people close to him.

Sandi Schultz is the scheming Zelda, bent on taking revenge on Gys.

Lea Vivier is Meghan, with Werner Coetser in the role of Jacques, one of Gys' sons. Altus Theart plays the role of Gys' eldest son, Rossouw. Rossouw is married to Sanet (Nadia Valvekens). These two seem happy on the surface, but their true colours show behind closed doors.

Rossouw and Sanet have two children, Johan (Liam Bosman) and Karla (Danielle Swanepoel).

Reandi Grey plays the role of Anja, who left the country 20 years ago. Now she is suddenly back in South Africa and has a lot on her mind. 

Lizz Meiring has been cast as Auntie Bybie Bekker, who carries a big secret with her.

Stephanie Baartman plays the role of Lettie who owns the coffee shop, Lettie's Keffie.

"We asked the actors together to see if they work well together. You have to get the cast right, because I believe it is 90% of the success of a series," says Roberta Durrant, creative producer.

Lucia Meyer-Marais, kykNET commissioning editor, says "because a large part of the story revolves around a swimming school, many of the characters had to prove they could swim".

"The group of actors fit each role like a glove. To be able to see and hear how they interpret the storylines we've been working on for months and months, is wonderful."

ALSO READ: kykNET hopes to make a splash with Diepe Waters as a new swim club set telenovela from Penguin Films starting in October 2022.

kykNET hopes to make a splash with Diepe Waters as a new swim club set telenovela from Penguin Films starting in October 2022.

by Thinus Ferreira

kykNET is hoping to make a splash with a new Afrikaans telenovela, Diepe Waters, from October, set in and around the pool of a competitive swimming club where secrets and revenge inside and away from the water, abound.

The new Afrikaans telenovela that M-Net's Afrikaans kykNET division said it will launch this year is Diepe Waters, produced by Penguin Films in Cape Town, telling the story of the various people involved with a competitive swimming club.

Diepe Waters, with 208 episodes, splashing onto kykNET (DStv 144) in October, will have four stacked weekly episodes from Mondays to Thursdays at 18:00.

Penguin Films, also responsible for kykNET series like Arendsvlei, Afgrond and Projek Dina will mine the fictional Die Swartmarlyne swimming club for stories "filled with intrigue, secrets, illegal loves and above all a story with heart and depth", according to kykNET.

"Diepe Waters has been created by a world-class team who knows and tries to understand the kykNET viewers and the South Africa of today even better," says Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of kykNET channels.

"Our aim is to tell engrossing, authentic stories with which viewers can start their evening's viewing enjoyment."

kykNET and Penguin Films haven't announced the cast but is providing character descriptions.

Die Swartmarlyne swimming club is a family-owned business of Gys Swarts in which his sons, Rossouw and Jacques are also involved, and with his grandkids, teenager Karla and Johan who are included as swimming team members.

Karla is under pressure to be a swimming champion with her mom Sanet pressuring her to get an overseas swimming scholarship. Jacques is the sexy swimming coach while Zelda Joubert is the owner of the beauty salon Skinvestment and Pam is her daughter.

Lettie runs the coffee shop and Henry is the new caretaker of the club whose son, Tshepo is a threat to Johan's reputation.

Roberta Durrant, creative producer, says Diepe Waters is "unusual and about something else, yet a telenovela about love, secrets and intrigue, as well as revenge. We have an amazing cast and interesting setting and we hope viewers will resonate with it".

SABC2 backtracks on cutbacks, 7de Laan back to 5 days a week from October.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Afrikaans weekday soap 7de Laan on SABC2 is returning to a full 5-days a week from October while SABC2's Venda weekday soap Muvhango remains a full-week show, bringing to an end the SABC's failed experiment to cut down on the episodes for both series to try out other programmes in their timeslots.

From the week of Monday 4 October, 7de Laan is back to broadcasting 5 episodes per week on SABC2, while Muvhango continues to run 5 episodes per week as well. SABC2 has not yet issued any statement about 7de Laan's return to full-week episodes. 

"7de Laan is delighted at the SABC's decision to bring back the show to 5 days a week," the production told TVwithThinus on Friday.

"We know that our fans are over extremely appreciative and excited for this. We owe much of their persistent request to the return. Viewers can now enjoy an entire week of their favourite show without the long anxious wait. Best of all, the months ahead are packed with nail-biting, love-hate and comedic storylines."

Earlier this year the South African public broadcaster angered viewers when it announced a shocking SABC2 schedule shake-up.

The SABC confirmed that from April it would cut back 7de Laan produced by Danie Odendaal Productions, from 5 to just 3 episodes per week. 

The SABC also confirmed that it would be cutting back on Muvhango, produced by Word of Mouth Pictures, from August, with the popular primetime soap also seeing its episodes reduced from 5 to just 3 episodes per week.

It led to a petition from viewers signed by over 7 000 concerned viewers and the SABC saying that it won't back down from its plan to "make more room for drama". 

The SABC in another statement shortly thereafter, said that "A public petition was circulated, in an attempt to prevent the SABC from diversifying its content on SABC2". 

This was however not what the petition from concerned viewers was actually about, who were not against diversifying programming but concerned about losing weekday episodes of their shows.

Merlin Naicker, the SABC's head of TV, said that reducing the episodes of 7de Laan and Muvhango was "part of our longterm plan to invest in quality local content" and that "it is imperative that we come with innovative and exciting content, which will not only draw the viewership, but bring in the revenue required to keep the public service broadcaster financially sustainable".

The SABC considers both long-running series as having somewhat run out of steam creatively and thought that gradual timeslot replacements would yield viewership bumps from new shows.

7de Laan was reduced to 3 episodes to make way for Die Sentrum but the show from Penguin Films on Thursdays and Fridays never got the viewership traction 7de Laan has, with lower ratings in SABC2's 18:00-timeslot.

Before the debut of Die Sentrum the SABC in a statement said that it was "confident that this new programme will be a drawcard and like 7de Laan, will keep the channel's loyal viewers entertained for the remainder of the week".

In July 7de Laan lured around 1.2 million viewers to SABC2, while Die Sentrum hovered around 720 000 per episode. This is far below 7de Laan and represents a net loss of thousands of viewers in the timeslot and also forced SABC2 to lower ad rates during the slot, meaning less revenue for the broadcaster.

Meanwhile, the promised second season of the Xitsonga telenovela Giyani, produced by Tshedza Pictures, never materialised in Muvhango's 21:00-timeslot from August with no explanation to viewers or an update to the TV industry.

Neither the SABC nor SABC2 channel head Gerhard Pretorius made any further public statements before August that Giyani isn't going to start, or since, about why Giyani didn't start last month on Thursday and Friday nights as was initially promised. 

According to insiders the Covid-19 pandemic severely delayed Giyani production and SABC2 couldn't get the show on air in time.

Development and production on Giyani were hugely impacted by Covid-19 and the production couldn't deliver episodes for playout from August as planned, although production is now in full swing. No new SABC2 broadcast date is available for the second season that is now supposed to start sometime in November.

ALSO READ: SABC2 reduces weekday soaps 7de Laan and Muvhango to 3 episodes per week in a shock scheduling shake-up.

ALSO READ: SABC2's 7de Laan says viewers are justifiably disturbed as upset fans try to save the soap's weekday timeslot, cliffhangers to be reworked to fit on Wednesdays.

ALSO READ: 'An attack on us as loyal fans and viewers': Furious fans sign a fast-growing 7de Laan petition to try and save the reduced SABC2 soap.

IN IMAGES. The Arendsvlei telenovela on kykNET & kie marks its 500th episode with cake and sparkling wine.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Arendsvlei telenovela on kykNET & Kie (DStv 145) will broadcast its 500th episode tonight at 19:30 and celebrated the milestone on Wednesday at Atlantic Studios in Milnerton with sparkling wine and cake.

The telenovela, produced by Penguins Films, made its debut on 1 October 2018 as a single season series but DStv ratings prompted kykNET to commission it for a further two seasons and to increase episode to four episodes per week from Mondays to Thursdays.

Arendsvlei, filmed at Atlantic Studios in Montague Gardens and Eersteriver, stars Jolene Martin, Jody Abrahams, Crystal Donna Roberts, Melanie du Bois, Kay Smith and many more with Vinette Ebrahim, Chris van Niekerk, Natalia da Rocha and Dann-Jacques Mouton who joined from the third season.

Roberta Durrant, creative producer of Arendsvlei, says she is incredibly grateful to kykNET that they gave Penguin Films the opportunity to tell this story.

"We were able to develop many talents in Cape Town through Arendsvlei. Young actors got their first roles on Arendsvlei and we were able to develop and train new directors, writers, editors and crew members."

Theltom Masimila, creative producer and creator of Arendsvlei, says he is extremely proud of the actors and production team for all the hard work they put in.

"We look forward to telling the stories of the people of Arendsvlei for a very long time to come. And most important of all, we are grateful to the viewers because without them such a production would not exist."

CORONAVIRUS. Ferguson Films owner, producer and actor Shona Ferguson (47) has died from Covid-19 complications.

by Thinus Ferreira

The filmmaker, producer, actor and owner of Ferguson Films in South Africa, Shona Ferguson, has reportedly died from Covid-19 coronavirus complications. He was 47.

See INDUSTRY REACTION lower down in the article.

Shona Ferguson, who was married to co-producer and actress Connie Ferguson, died on Friday afternoon at the Milpark private hospital in Johannesburg after he was admitted a week ago suffering from chest pains and struggling to breathe.

Sunday World reported that Shona Ferguson died on Friday afternoon, citing uncited sources, after he was in ICU.

This report couldn't independently be verified by other sources that TVwithThinus called, messaged and asked for several hours on Friday, hence the lack of any other reporting whilst seeking confirmation of the single-source story.

On Friday afternoon News24 cited Conrad Mwanza, a Ferguson Foundation spokesperson, confirmed the news of the death of Shona Ferguson.

"Shona Ferguson passed away at noon today and all the family is asking for at the moment is just to mourn in private," Conrad Mwanza said. 

He said that Shona Ferguson died from Covid-19 related complications.

In a statement issued later on Friday afternoon by the Ferguson Foundation, the Ferguson family said that Shona Ferguson died from Covid-19 related complications.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Shona Ferguson. He passed away at noon today (Friday, 30 July 2021). Shona Ferguson’s untimely passing was due to Covid-19 related complications, and not a heart operation as reported in the media. We ask that you give the family time to process this painful loss and respect their space during this time."

Born as Aaron Arthur Ferguson in Botswana on 30 April 1974, he started his entertainment career in Lesotho as a club DJ at The Palace Hotel Night Club in 1992. 

After moving back to Botswana his focus shifted to the corporate world and he ended up in the IT business after which he got a role and started his acting career in SABC1's Generations, produced by Mfundi Vundla.

In 2006 he joined SABC2's Muvhango in the role of Dr Leabua and went on to portray the role of Itumeleng on The Wild on M-Net (DStv 101) and also appeared in SABC3's Isidingo, as well as Scandal! on e.tv.

Along with Connie Ferguson they started Ferguson Films and appeared together on screen in their first locally-produced series Rockville on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161). 

The couple has two daughter, Alicia Angel Ferguson and Lesedi, as well as a grandson Rori.

Connie Ferguson on Saturday night on her Instagram account wrote: "This day, 20 years ago (31 July 2001), was the day God brought you into my life, and we haven't looked back since!"

"Ours is a once in a lifetime kind of love. We joked about how we were going to be in our old age. How we would take turns supporting each other and being strong for each other. The irony is we have already been doing that for the past 20 years!"

"Oh how God has loved me to give me you! We were already planning our 20th wedding anniversary in November, assuming that we had time. You and I were joined at the hip, now I feel completely off balance, incomplete, without my other half! My soulmate!"

His daughter Alicia Angel Ferguson wrote on Instagram: "Words can not express how I'm feeling right now. My worst fear became a reality. You fought your fight dad, and I'm so proud of you for making it this far".

"You've not only touched our lives as your family, but you've touched many others as well. You've left a legacy behind that I will carry on, as I did make this promise when I was little to you. Thank you for everything that you've done for me my doppelgänger."

"You made a promise to me that you'll always be there when I need you, so I believe you will always be there even in spirit. I'm going to miss being your personal photographer. I'm going to miss tickling your feet and you shouting at me for it. I'm going to miss smelling your perfume around the house."

"I'm going to miss a lot of things, but most importantly, your hugs. You gave the best hugs on this earth Fa, and I cherish each hug you've given me. I know you are protecting us from up there in heaven. I miss you and words can not express how much I love you Fa. Rest In Peace My Twin."

Shona Ferguson also made an appearance in 2014's The Gift, another series produced by Ferguson Films. 

Other series from Ferguson Films produced for MultiChoice and M-Net's DStv channels like Mzansi Magic and 1Magic (DStv 103) included The Queen, The Throne, Igazi, The Herd, The River and The Imposter, and Unmarried and Step Up to a Start-Up on which he was an executive producer.

Shona Ferguson received the Golden Horn award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in the Best Actor in a TV soap category, and won another one for Best Achievement by a Lead Actor in a made-for-TV movie.

The 6-episode drama series Kings of Joburg was produced for Netflix by Ferguson Films in 2020.

Ferguson Films recently announced plans to open The Ferguson Film School for aspiring filmmakers.

In June this year Shona Ferguson shared on social media how he also went to Hollywood looking for fame and a career, as well as many doors in South Africa's TV and film industry that were shut in his face - and that he was so poor once that he couldn't afford toothpaste.

"An agent told me it wasn’t going to be easy to get me jobs because I didn't have the right “look”. A veteran actor, loved and respected by millions told me I am not memorable and so did a lot of producers. Many actors criticized me and made bets I would never make it in this industry," Shona Ferguson said.

"I've given most of these folks, agents and naysayers work opportunities regardless. Some are on my payroll and some would rather starve than work for me and that's okay. I'm not for everyone and not everyone is for me."

"There was a time in my life I couldn't afford toothpaste and I brushed my teeth with sunlight bar soap. Had bogobe le cabbage for years because I couldn't afford meat. We were so broke we couldn't afford paraffin for the lamps. We didn't have much but God was with us."

INDUSTRY REACTION:

MultiChoice and M-Net in a statement in response to a media enquiry on Friday afternoon told TVwitThinus that "M-Net is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of actor, film producer and philanthropist, Shona Ferguson".

"Together with his wife Connie Ferguson, he founded Ferguson Films, and they both starred in the production company’s M-Net first series, Rockville, in 2013."

"This was followed by other successful productions, such as The Throne and The Queen, in which Shona played the role of Jerry Maake. His latest appearance was on Rockville Season 5, which aired on Mzansi Magic in June 2021, where he took on the role of JB."

"Shona previously starred in a number of popular local TV series, including Generations, Muvhango and M-Net's The Wild. Recently, Shona and his wife Connie launched the Ferguson Foundation, an independent programme dedicated to supporting and empowering disadvantaged individuals in navigating the film industry."

Nomsa Philiso, director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, says "Shona has left an indelible mark on the South African television and production industry. He will be greatly missed by the M-Net family and his fans."

"M-Net extends its heartfelt condolences to the Ferguson family and Shona’s friends and colleagues. May his loved ones find strength and peace during this difficult time."

Netflix South Africa, where Shona Ferguson produced Kings of Joburg, says "We are saddened to hear the news of the passing of Shona Fergurson. As a fixture in the entertainment industry and a hero of black stories he will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Once a King, always a King".

Roberta Durrant of Penguin Films in a statement says, "It is with great shock and sadness that we have learnt today of the passing of Shonda Ferguson. We wish Connie and other members of his family and close friends deep condolences and prayers over this time of loss".

The SABC in a statement said that it is "deeply saddened by the passing of Shona Ferguson "and sends heartfelt condolences to the Ferguson family, his colleagues and his friends". 

Merlin Naicker, SABC group executive of SABC video entertainment, says "The industry has lost a great filmmaker and actor. He has left an indelible mark and his work will remain part of the South African film and television's rich archives, and will serve as a great well of knowledge for aspiring filmmakers and actors".

Duma Ndlovu, executive producer at the Word of Mouth Pictures production company, in a statement says "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ferguson family and fans during this difficult time, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear brother",

"We have lost a dedicated contributor in the film and television industry, who has been doing remarkable work. We remember him for his unmistakable dedication and passion."

Shaleen Surtie-Richards as Arendsvlei’s Muriel: Return-story got fully filmed and wrapped last week with character that will be on screen again on kykNET & Kie from September.

by Thinus Ferreira

Shaleen Surtie-Richards (66) who unexpectedly died on Monday during her sleep finished filming her last scenes as retired nurse Muriel Foster in Arendsvlei last week on Thursday and when the character returns in September the character's latest arc will wrap with a complete story.

South Africa's film and TV industry were shocked on Monday when news broke that the iconic actress had passed away, especially the cast and crew of the Penguin Films-produced Arendsvlei in Cape Town where Shaleen just days before still filmed scenes after she returned for on-screen work in a recurring role.

Shaleen Surtie-Richards made her first appearance in Arendsvlei in 2019 as the mother of Lionel Foster (Jody Abrahams) and returned in late May this year for another 3-week stint of filming.

DStv subscribers will see Shaleen Surtie-Richards again appear on kykNET & Kie (DStv 145) from September but Arendsvlei producers don't have to alter the script or do blunt editing - Shaleen filmed and completed her character's entire upcoming return story last week.

"She finished her last scenes on Thursday," Tarryn Joseph, Arendsvlei publicist told TVwithThinus.

"Shaleen's final filmed scenes haven't gone to editing yet, so it can still change but the character of Muriel will be seen in Arendsvlei on kykNET & Kie for roughly half a month."

"It is with the saddest heart we heard of the passing of our beloved Sharleen who has graced our screens and theatre boards with her extraordinary presence and talent over the years," says Penguin Films.

"Sharleen has just completed filming her part as Muriel Foster with us on Thursday in good spirits. So it was indeed a shock to hear of her passing. Sharleen tackled her role as Muriel with the same enthusiasm, generosity, and talent that she has tackled all of her roles, most noticeably as Fiela in Fiela se Kind and Nenna in Egoli: Plek van Goud."

"We wish her family and friends strength and deep condolences as we were all touched by Sharleen’s generous spirit. May her beautiful soul rest in peace."

ALSO READ: Shaleen Surtie-Richards’ funeral: 'An icon beloved by the people but abandoned by the system,' says friend Rif'at Browers; implores arts minister Nathi Mthethwa to launch a fund to support South Africa's suffering artists.

ALSO READ: Shaleen Surtie-Richards on her money struggles in last TV interview: 'I just pray very hard that I won't get ill'.

ALSO READ: kykNET’s Saturday edition of Ontbytsake will be a special tribute to Shaleen Surtie-Richards: 'We tried not to cry,' says presenter Eloise Cupido.

ALSO READ: Producer Diana Lucas on Shaleen Surtie-Richards’ final time on film in new bio doc: 'An intimate talk with a woman who was an amazing person.'

ALSO READ: South Africa's TV and film industry's 'darkest secret': Why the beloved actress icon Shaleen Surtie-Richards died poor - when she didn't have to. 

ALSO READ: Fiela se Kind film director Katina Heyns on Shaleen Surtie-Richards: 'She had all of us laughing the one moment, and weeping the next.' 

ALSO READ: Shaleen Surtie Richards: I Am Who I Am documentary scheduled for Wednesday night on M-Net as MultiChoice's TV tribute collection of content expands after iconic actress' death - latest programming listing across channels.

ALSO READ: Shaleen Surtie-Richards' family on her death and legacy of love: She not only lived in our hearts but in the hearts of this great nation.

ALSO READ: Actress Shaleen-Surtie Richards found dead in a Cape Town guest house. She was 66.

SABC2's 7de Laan says viewers are justifiably disturbed as upset fans try to save the soap's weekday timeslot, cliffhangers to be reworked to fit on Wednesdays.

by Thinus Ferreira

In response to a fast-growing petition to try and save the SABC2's Afrikaans weekday soap 7de Laan in its weekday timeslot, the show tells TVwithThinus that it makes "absolute sense" that viewers are disturbed over the SABC's shocking decision.

The financially struggling SABC that is going through a retrenchment process confirmed that SABC2 plans to cut 7de Laan down from 5 to 3 episodes per week from April in the 18:00 timeslot, with the Venda weekday soap Muvhango that is also getting axed from 5 to 3 episodes per week from August in its 21:00 timeslot.

After a Cape Town viewer, Jermaine Christians started a "Keep 7de Laan on-air for 5 days! Save 7de Laan" online petition on change.org, public support has seen it surge to close to 3 500 signatures and comments just over a week later by Tuesday morning.

SABC2 and its channel head Gerhard Pretorius plans to replace the Muvhango timeslot on Thursdays and Fridays with the second season of Giyani.

SABC2 plans to replace 7de Laan on Thursdays and Fridays with a new Cape Town-set call centre drama series in Afrikaans and Xhosa entitled Die Sentrum produced by Penguin Films that is currently in production. 

Afrikaans drama on SABC2 was previously broadcast in other timeslots where it didn't replace or impacted on the longrunning 7de Laan, while the first season of Giyani was shown at 21:30, serving as the Muvhango lead-out and where there similarly wasn't an issue having episodes of both shows on-air on the same day but at different times.

The SABC in a statement says that the "change forms part of SABC2's channel strategy to increase and diversify its drama offering and provide audiences with entertaining, fresh, diverse and relevant local content".

The SABC also says that "it must be noted that the SABC's programming strategy is informed by viewership statistics as supplied by the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRCSA). This industry body measures the success and popularity of TV programming in South Africa that the SABC considers when making any programme decisions".

"Viewers can therefore be assured that they will not lose 7de Laan as it will still broadcast from Mondays to Wednesdays". 

The SABC and SABC2 are silent over why the diversified drama offering is taking over and replacing weekday soap timeslots. 

A big specific concern is that habitual and repeat viewing are crucial and extremely important to sustain ratings for serialised shows like 7de Laan and Muvhango, making SABC2's unexplained scheduling change and the reason why Giyani and Die Sentrum are not scheduled in other timeslots, even more perplexing.

Danie Odendaal Productions filming 7de Laan at Sasani Studios in Johannesburg tells TVwithThinus that upset viewers who are angry about the weekly frequency cut to episodes are justified in how they're feeling about SABC2's decision to downscale the number of episodes.

"7de Laan is a soap that has been part of South Africans' lives for almost 21 years. We are part of millions of TV viewers' homes and family time and most South Africans at some point in the lives have interacted with 7de Laan," the show says in response to a media enquiry asking what the producers are making of the petition.

"It makes absolute sense that viewers are disturbed over the news of the scheduling change."

Cast, crew and freelance workers on both 7de Laan and Muvhango who don't want their names mentioned since they fear possible repercussions from speaking out publicly while still working on these shows, say they are scared of losing work and that SABC2 is costing them income especially during the tough economic environment worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

About people attached to these shows who will be working less because of SABC2's decision, Danie Odendaal Productions says that "for now the scheduled times remain unchanged because we are still expected to deliver the number of episodes as agreed upon for the 22nd season in the contract with the SABC. As a result, the staff's working hours and budget have been adjusted to what it is currently".

When the soaps are reduced to three episodes per week, after a Wednesday's episode, viewers will have to wait 4 days before a new episode of 7de Laan or Muvhango on SABC2 with both that will be more days off-air than what the serialised soaps will actually be on-air. 

Schedule interruptions like this usually have a debilitating impact on the ratings of shows since viewers tend to drift and forget to return when their TV routine or viewing pattern gets disturbed. 

Where and when cliffhangers appear, usually on a Friday - with for instance a shot fired, an explosion or a shocking relevation to keep viewers buzzing, engaged, pondering and to help keep a show top of mind and to drive them back on a Monday - will also have to change. 

"We can only wait and see what the effect of the 3 days a week is going to be on viewership figures," says 7de Laan. "We're just thankful that for the biggest part of the week we'll still get the opportunity to entertain South Africa".

"Viewers will still want to tune in for our programme content. Our cliffhangers will be adjusted to end off a week well even if it is on a Wednesday - something that will probably frustrate viewers, but with new zeal we will keep our show alive on social media platforms".

"From our side, we ask viewers to continue to watch 7de Laan from 5 April from Mondays to Wednesdays at 18:00 on SABC2. For now, they can still enjoy 7de Laan from Mondays to Fridays at 18:00 on SABC2," says the show.

ALSO READ: 'An attack on us as loyal fans and viewers': Furious fans sign a fast-growing 7de Laan petition to try and save the reduced SABC2 soap.

kykNET’s Cape Town set Arendsvlei telenovela from Penguin Films adding a 4th weekly episode from it's third season.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net's Afrikaans channels division kykNET has decided to extend its Cape Town set telenovela Arendsvlei to 4 episodes per week from the upcoming third season on kykNET & kie (DStv 145) with a unspecified changes also coming to its talk show Tussen Ons.

From 1 October Arendsvlei, produced by Penguin Films, will increase the weekly episodes from 3 to 4, with a new group of high school pupils at High School Arendsvlei joining the cast, as well as other new characters.

kykNET made the announcement about the longer third season during MultiChoice's 2020 DStv Showcase media presentation that took place on Wednesday afternoon.

Ilse Klink arrives to play the mother of Bmpbie Galant (Jarrid Galant), while Captain Krige (Brendan Daniels) arrives from Clanwilliam. Natalie (Carmen Maarman) uses her charm to get what she wants at all cost and other people's happiness.

Arendsvlei, originally commissioned as a single-season telenovela was eventually turned into an ongoing telenovela series.

"Since the beginning of the second season viewers have been asking for a third season," says Roberta Durrant of Penguin Films and Arendsvlei executive producer.

"Penguin Films and Arendsvlei are excited to now broadcast 4 episodes per week and to keep surprising viewers. Thanks to our viewers for your support and thanks to the writers, talent and crew for your dedication and passion."

Theltom Masimila, Arendsvlei head writer, says he feels privileged to be able to tell the story of the characters of Arendsvlei for another year and to dig even deeper into their stories.

"Now that we have the chance to broadcast for 4 days on television viewers can get ready to be captivated for longer in the love and tragedy of the high school, its community and the families that we've got to know, as well as the new faces who will ensure drama like never before."

Arendsvlei's third season starts on 28 September 2020 on kykNET & kie with the first 4th weekly episode that will be broadcast on 1 October.

Due to the additional weekly Arendsvlei episode kykNET will be announcing news shortly about the weekly Afrikaans female-fronted talk show Tussen Ons, also done from Cape Town.

South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) weighs in on the latest actor-producer-broadcaster TV biz row highlighted by Vatiswa Ndara: 'The exploitation will continue'.

The South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) is weighing in on the latest actor-producer-broadcaster row in the country TV industry, highlighted by the actress Vatiswa Ndara speaking out about allegedly deplorable production and pay issues, with SAGA saying that the exploitation of actors will continue unless actors are given a voice.

It comes after actress Vatiswa Ndara's scathing 6-page open letter to South Africa's minister of sports, arts and culture in which she alleges exploitation by the Ferguson Films production company, of being underpaid and undervalued, and not getting residuals for rebroadcasts.

She quit the iGazi drama series on MultiChoice's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel, after two seasons over the paltry pay impossible conditions.

Connie and Shona Ferguson, the actor-producer couple who owns and runs Ferguson Films and have produced several series like iGazi and The Throne for M-Net's general entertainment channels, on Wednesday in a statement said that the company "is pretty much in the same boat as the artist".

Ferguson Films said that the production company that is commissioned to make a show for a channel like Mzansi Magic, doesn't own the rights to the show and "does not reap the financial benefits through repeat broadcasts, licensing deals and repackaging of the show".

It's not the first time that actors have come forward to publicly complain about on-set production issues, payment disparity and the lack of residual payments.

The latest public flare-up about an ongoing - and unresolved - South African TV industry issue about adequate actor representation and remuneration has seen previous, similar scandals engulf shows and broadcasters ranging from the SABC to M-Net and e.tv when actors have vented their frustrations about being unable to secure better deals after they've appeared in successful shows.

"Unfortunately Vatiswa Ndara speaks to a portion of something that is systemic - it is everywhere. It is in audio-visual, it is in threatre, is affects performers no matter where they are, in whatever productions they are in," said Carlynn De Waal-Smith from the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA).

In an interview on eNCA she said that "there is exploitation that happens, there are working conditions that are not satisfactory, there is this power-struggle between the producers, the broadcasters, the financiers and the actors are at the very end of the food chains."

"Everything trickles down to the actor. And the weird thing is the actors are on screen - they're the ones who make your programme. They're the ones who get the ratings. So ultimately it doesn't make sense to me that there isn't that kind of mutual respect that says 'You are valid to this production. And we understand that we are valid in producing it or broadcasting it."

"People are not sitting at the same table and to a large extent the exploitation will continue until people realise that we are all part of a very important value-chain but that ultimately actors need to have a voice. The South African Guild of Actors is the only organisation for actors that can speak on behalf of actors."

"Producers are at the whim of either financiers or the broadcasters. So they are also sitting within a box. The problem is you have to put content on screen and broadcasters and producers will do it at whatever cost."

"It was a number of years ago that I realised that the TV productions that were happening were X-amount per minute, and 10 years later, they were half of that. They're trying to produce the same quality programming, but for half the price. The problem is that actors are being paid less now than what they were paid then."

"Also, there is no kind of standard. There is no regulation in the industry," she said.

Carlynn De Waal-Smith said that "if you go to the SABC they don't have any archive of anybody's contracts. If you go and try to claim for repeat fees you have to basically give them the contract. Surely they should have it because they're responsible for paying repeat fees. They don't have any of that documentation."

"There is nobody in the value-chain that is taking responsibility."


A systemic issue
Unathi Malunga, an entertainment lawyer, said on eNCA that "it is a power-play because if you don't have leverage to negotiate a better deal then you are at the mercy of the other party"..

"I do think it's a systemic issue. I also think that the whole value-chain of this industry needs to be looked at because there are kinks at every point along the value-chain."

She said that "from the producer's point of view it is a budgetary issue because now they have to make the same content for less money. Any time that we ask that something be done, for example having safety officers on set, it becomes a budget issue, so nothing then gets addressed".

"If the other party has no power, the production company knows that you are not going to challenge. They know that you're not going to go to a lawyer, you're not going to take it to court, so it is the wild, wild west."

"Overseas what guilds like SAG do is they set minimum floors. They say this is what you can earn on a commercial, earn on a soap. Then producers cannot use non-union members - and that's the crux. 

"When you as an actor, something happens to you on set, who do you go to report to? That also needs to be sort out in terms of sexual harassment."


'You think it's going to get better and keep allowing it to happen'
Vatiswa Ndara said when she starred in the Home Affairs drama series, produced by Penguin Films for SABC1, "I walked away with R9 000 for the entire series".

"You think it's going to get better and you keep on allowing it to happen. I'm so upset with myself because I knew back then that there's something wrong with this but I just carried on because I did not want to rock the boat".

"Broadcasters all claim that we look out for the interest of everybody on set. What is it that they do, actually, to prove that?"

kykNET commissions a new 13-episode procedural drama series, Projek Dina from Penguin Films set for 2020.

kykNET (DStv 144) has commissioned Penguin Films to produce a new 13-episode procedural drama series, Projek Dina (Project Dina), tentatively scheduled to start sometime in 2020.

Projek Dina will revolve around a task team solving missing person cases.

Projek Dina was developed by Penguin Films that is also responsible for kykNET's Sara se Geheim and is continuing with the production of the telenovela Arendsvlei that was commissioned for a second season and is being turned into a multi-season drama series.

Projek Dina's cast includes Chumani Pan as Lux who is known for his role in Ashes to Ashes that was also produced by Penguin Films, as well as Kay Smith as Charlie.

Other actors who will appear in Projek Dina include Chanelle de Jager as Ronel, Tim Theron as Deon, Heike Brunner as Annette Gerber, Arthur Falko as Max, Zenobia Kloppers as Margie, Naledi Majola as Funiswa, Taryn Steyn as Sameera and Trix Vivier as Megan.

kykNET said that a broadcasting date for Projek Dina in 2020 isn't confirmed.


UPDATE Friday 16 August 2019 - 13:45: An earlier version of the report included a mention that Wikus du Toit is a writer on the series. Penguin Films advised that this is not the case, and his name has been removed from the first version. 

kykNET renews drama series Sara se Geheim for a 3rd season, comedy series Hotel for a 4th season.

kykNET (DStv 144) has renewed the Afrikaans drama series Sara se Geheim filmed in Cape Town for a third season, while the comedy series Hotel filmed in Centurion has been renewed for a fourth season.

The mockumentary Hotel, produced by Nouvanaand Films and following Ferdie Kruger (James Borthwick) and the hapless staffers at Die Fransen hotel, will be back for a 4th season that will start on kykNET in January 2020.

In the new season mayor Stephano Stutterheim plans to demolish the hotel to make way for the Mautrain, while Jony (Simoné Pretorius) falls in love with Gawie, played by Quentin Krog joining the cast that includes Schalk Bezuidenhout (Danny), Beer Adriaanse (Thomas), Martelize Kolver (Brenda), Mila Guy (Malanie) and De Klerk Oelofse (Jaap).

"The cast and crew are very excited about this season. Bennie Fourie, writer and producer of Hotel, makes sure that every season is even better than the last," says kykNET. 

Bennie Fourie says "The writing doesn’t get easier, but the fun multiplies. Viewers can look forward to more hilarious entertainment and pure comedy as well as silly shenanigans from the Fransenburgers. It’s still a privilege to film yet another season at the Fransen home, Kleinkaap Boutique Hotel in Centurion".

kykNET also renewed the drama series, Sara se Geheim (Sara's Secret) for a 3rd season that will also be broadcast in 2020.

Originally developed as a soap but turned into a drama series, the show is set in and around Athlone and Durbanville with filming on the third season that had started earlier this year already.

There are more secrets in the life of Sara Abrahams (June van Merch) as well as in the Cloete, Kiewiets and Vermeulen families.

The third season of Sara se Geheim will include more drama, intrigue, death and even a wedding.

After Kelvin's death, it forces Maggie to look at her own mistakes. His brother's death leaves Aiden with unresolved anger and aggression and he's desperate to find Maggie who's disappearance leads to chaos in her family.