Actor Wiseman Sithole dead at 51

by Thinus Ferreira

The South Africa actor Wiseman Sithole died on Sunday night two days after his 51st birthday.

The cause of his death is not yet known.

"It is with the greatest sadness that we share the shattering news of Wiseman Sithole's sudden passing," says ERM Stars, his agent, in a statement.

"We are honoured to have worked alongside this legend of an actor. He touched many lives as a friend, relative, and to his audience on screen. We will miss you so much Wiseman! We will release more details and arrangements upon instruction by his dear family."

Wiseman Sithole was born on 27 June 1974 and was a well-known stage actor, performing at arts festivals.

On television he was most famous for his Shooting Stars role in e.tv's drama series as a nefarious soccer agent.

 

Wiseman Sithole also had roles in SABC2's 90 Plein Street and Die Sentrum, and in Showmax's Catch me a Killer he was Mlungisi Gwala.

He also appeared in Jiva!, Mooiweer en Warm, kykNET's Projek Dina, Suidooster and Straat, as well as in the TV series S.I.E.S, Strike Back, M-Net's Summertide telenovela, Traffic! and SABC3's Charlie Jade.

Wiseman Sithole also had roles in films, ranging from Konfetti and Zulu to Cape of Good Hope, 2003's Eine Liebe in Afrika, to the bus driver in 2010's Master Harold and the boys.

Actor Mpho Sebeng dead at 31 after Potchefstroom car accident.

by Thinus Ferreira

Actor Mpho Sebeng died on Sunday morning after a car accident in Potchefstroom in South Africa's North West province. He was 31.

"The family of the South African entertainer, Mpho Sebeng, are saddened to confirm,to the public and media, that their son has indeed passed away," the family confirmed in a media statement on Sunday.

"Mpho met his untimely death in the early hours of Sunday 5 May 2024 due to a tragic car accident in Potchefstroom. Whilst the family appreciates the immense outpouring of love and condolences, the family requests some space to process the news," Oupa Morake, family spokesperson said.

"The details of his home-going celebrations will be communicated in due course and we request that you continue to hold the Sebeng family in prayer."

Born in Soweto on 1 December 1992, growing up in Witpoortjie, Randburg and studying politics and philosophy at the University of Witwatersrand, Mpho Sebeng became known for TV roles in series like Zero Tolerance, gang leader Slay in SABC1's Soul Buddyz, Justice for All, and M-Net's The Queen on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161). 

On e.tv he appeared in the drama series Z'bondiwe in 2015 and a year later in the e.tv telenovela Ring of Lies for which he got a Best actor nomination at the South African Film and Television Awards in 2018.

 Appearances in other e.tv's series included both its soaps Rhythm City and Scandal!. 

Appearances in other TV series included Bay of Plenty, Hush Money, Kokota, Saints and Sinners, The Throne, and M-Net's The Estate.   

In Netflix series he had roles in Savage Beauty, The Brave Ones and Miseducation.

In film Mpho Sebeng appeared in Mngani Wam', Thando, Man in Crisis, The Jakes are Missing, and 2011's Winnie Mandela.

In 2019 he tried to venture into rap music and released a debut hip-hop song, "Phuso Phala Anything".

The SABC in a statement said the public broadcaster "is saddened by the untimely passing of the actor Mpho Sebeng. His immense contribution to the entertainment industry will never be forgotten. The SABC extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans".

The streaming service Netflix South Africa said "A life well lived. Rest in peace Mpho Sebeng".

Mark Pilgrim dead at 53 after losing battle with stage 4 lung cancer, fiancée Adrienne 'together for his last breath'.

by Thinus Ferreira

The well-known, veteran South African TV and radio presenter Mark Pilgrim died on Sunday morning after losing his battle with stage 4 lung cancer. He was 53.

Mark Pilgrim was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March 2022. In June 2022 he revealed that it had spread to his femur, his spine and his lymphatic system. 

His latest cancer battle for which he was extremely open and public, detailing his multiple round of chemotherapy, treatments and the effects of it on his body, followed after he survived stage 3 testicular cancer in 1988 that had spread to his lungs and kidneys and which he survived.

In 2021 Mark Pilgrim detailed his fight against Covid-19. 

In September 2022 Mark Pilgrim was open about the setback when he suffered a collapsed lung.

Mark Pilgrim was also very open about the heart attack he had suffered in 2008 whilst in his doctor's office which saved his life but led to 10% permanent heart damage. The heart attack came during the filming and production of M-Net's Power of 10 game show of which he was the host.

"It is with great sadness that I share this news," Lloyd Madurai, HOT 102.7 FM managing director, said in a statement where Mark Pilgrim was a radio DJ.

"Our hero and brother and much-loved radio personality Mark Pilgrim lost his battle with cancer this morning at 10:45."

"He fought valiantly to the very end. Mark passed peacefully with his fiancée Adrienne at home. They were together for his last breath."

"The family thank you for being part of his journey. For loving him and for celebrating him and supporting him always. Mark will be greatly missed by all. May his soul rest in peace."

Mark Pilgrim leaves behind his two daughters Tayla-Jean (12) and Alyssa (10) from his previous marriage with ex-wife Nicole Torres which lasted 13 years, and fiancée Adrienne Watkins.

Mark Pilgrim hosted numerous South African TV shows and radio programmes during his decades-long career and was a DJ at 5FM, 94.7, KFM, and HOT919, was a sought-after voice artists for radio and TV commercials, besides being a motivational speaker talking about cancer.

Mark Pilgrim was a well-known M-Net (DStv 101) presenter and hosted seasons of Big Brother South Africa from 2001, the first season of Big Brother Africa in 2003, the M-Net game show Power of 10, Retail Therapy, 2005's Sex Etc., as well as SABC2's Face 2 Face in 2004 and the magazine lifestyle show New Moves on e.tv.

Mark Pilgrim's autobiography, Beyond the Baldness was published in 2015.

The award-winning radio presenter was inducted into the South African Radio Awards Hall of Fame in 2021 for his contribution to the radio industry.

ALSO READ: Mark Pilgrim diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer: 'I'm not Chuck Norris. Yes, I'm scared. I am also strong'. 

The voice of ‘Tonight on eee’ Bongani Njoli falls silent at 53.

by Thinus Ferreira

The voice-over artist and DJ Bongani Njoli, the often-ridiculed but unique and beloved voice of e.tv's programming promos died on Sunday night. Born Lala Ngoxolo Bongani Njoli on 7 September 1969, he was 53.

The former Good Hope FM and Magic 828 presenter became iconic for his gravelly-voiced e.tv promos, often starting with a raspy "Tooonight on eeeee", as well as " Thuuursday night is action night" wrestling and Friday Action Night movies - all with an imitation American accent he added to everything from Bruce Wills movies to upcoming Walker Texas Ranger episodes.

His peculiar voice-over inflection led to comedian Trevor Noah starting to imitate Bongani Njoli's announcements in some of his comedy shows, with audiences roaring with laughter about someone they'd never seen but all instantly knew the voice of. 

"South Africa is a peculiar country," Bongani Njoli told BBC Radio's Outlook show in a 2017 interview. "A whole lot of us are English speaking but you also get those differentiations, you know, where I as a black person have to do a black English voice as just opposed to some other person doing a voice. We normally come with black English that sounds exactly like me".

The qualified teacher with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Diploma in Higher Education joined UCT Radio in 1990 during his student years and was the first black DJ on Good Hope FM in Cape Town where he joined in 1994 where he did an audition after he worked at Nampak.

After initially being rejected after auditioning for e.tv, he got a callback and then proceeded to do e.tv's TV promo voice-overs for 17 years for 2000.

Bongani was part of the team that launched Discom Vibes as a retail radio station for Clicks in 2004, where he was a presenter and music compiler until 2007 when he joined Cape Town's Heart 104.9FM doing two shows until 2009.

He joined Cape Town's Magic 828 in 2016. As a music producer, having worked on two SAMA-nominated albums in 2000 he started a music production company, Ebomvu Entertainment in 1999 with producer, Gabi le Roux.

The cause of his death is not immediately known.

"How many times can you watch Anaconda on a Friday night? Well, it depends on how Bongani Njoli can say 'This coming Friiiiday night on eeeee, Anaconda' and that's what got you to watch," Lester Kiewit of CapeTalk said on Monday morning.

About his voice, Bongani told the BBC that his voice helped to get him out of trouble and certain situations. "Once I got into trouble with the cops and one of the cops recognised my voice. 'Aren't you that guy who does 'Only on eee'? and said "I know you man, listen, go home and stop doing stupid stuff".

eMedia in response to a media query from TVwithThinus, on Monday afternoon said that the company will be making a contribution to Bongani Njoli’s funeral and that his death came as a shock to the e.tv family.

"Everyone at the e.tv family is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Bongani Njoli."

"As the most recognisable voice of our Friday Action Night movie promos and weekend blockbusters, “Bongs” was a true legend and part of the e family for 17 years."

"His untimely passing comes as a shock, he was in studio with us in December 2022 for a new movie campaign. But unfortunately, as he was too weak to record, we put the campaign on hold."

"A part of our history is gone with his passing, but we will forever remember him as 'the voice' – our voice. Those of us who worked closely with him will sorely miss Bongani's easy-going, gentle manner and utter professionalism. We have reached out to the family, and will be making a contribution for the funeral."

Former Big Brother Mzansi housemate Rethabile 'Dinkybliss' Potsane dead at 29, rushed to hospital by neighbours 2 days after she fell ill and could no longer walk, eat or talk properly.

by Thinus Ferreira

Rethabile Potsane, known as "Dinkybliss" died on Sunday morning in a Hillbrow clinic after she was rushed to hospital by neighbours, two days after she fell ill and her health dramatically deteriorated to the point where she could no longer walk, eat, or talk properly. 

Rethabile Potsane was 29.

Bukhosi Heshu-Ngcingolo, manager of the former Big Brother Mzansi contestant, in a statement, announced her death and said the 29-year-old died at Hillbrow Clinic on Sunday morning. 

The cause of Rethabile Potsane's death is not yet known, although she fell ill on Friday with a fever.

Rethabile Potsane's condition became worse later on Friday, and her health deteriorated even further on Saturday. On Saturday Dinkybliss could no longer walk or eat, and struggled to talk properly.

"It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Rethabile Potsane, also known as Dinkybliss, has passed away in the early hours of Sunday at Hillbrow Clinic," says Bukhosi Heshu-Ngcingolo in the statement.

"At the moment the family is still shocked and grieving."

Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, in a statement, confirmed Rethabile Potsane's death.

"Mzansi Magic is saddened to hear of the passing of one of the Big Brother Mzansi season 3 contestants, Rethabile 'Dinkybliss' Potsane. Dinkybliss captured the hearts of many South Africans with her outgoing and vibrant personality on the show that solidified her standing as a mover and shaker."

Rethabile Potsane was evicted from the camera house reality show earlier this year.

TV and radio presenter Jeremy Mansfield dead at 59 after losing battle with liver cancer.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African radio and TV presenter Jeremy Mansfield died early on Monday morning after he had lost his battle with liver cancer. He was 59.

In a statement his former colleague Samantha Cowen confirmed his death, saying that he had died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends.

Jeremy Mansfield is survived by his wife Jacqui and daughter, Gabriella. His mother died on 15 August which was his 59th birthday.

In January Jeremy Mansfield announced that he was diagnosed with liver cancer and in August revealed that his diagnosis of stage four liver cancer was terminal. 

"This morning a light went out in the world. Jeremy Mansfield passed away just before dawn. He died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends and boundless love," Samantha Cowen said.

"Jeremy lived large, he didn't know how to do small. He loved hard, laughed loud and managed to combine mischief and mayhem with heart and soul. The city was brighter and lighter with him on the airwaves, he changed lives every day."

"When he wasn't raising millions for charity, he was raising fresh hell! Under a naughty exterior Jeremy had a huge soft heart. A lot of people got to see and hear that over the radio but he saved his vulnerability for a select few."

"He was determined that the world be a better and shinier and funnier place and he drove the road to that destination at 1000 miles an hour with no rearview mirror, all of the rest of us clinging on for dear life!

"We will miss him horribly. The family is devastated and is asking for privacy during this time. Right to the end we were reading him your messages and he was happy to hear them all, every single one. He knew he was loved and it mattered. He mattered. There will be a new star in the sky tonight. As he would have said, Good night Bunnies."

Mansfield is known for his years of work as a radio and TV presenter on SuperSport, Front Row, the host of A Word or 2 on SABC2, CNBC (DStv 410), voice-over and MC work, and is the author of humour and cookbooks. He was a presenter on 94.7's The Rude Awakening for 13 years between 1997 and 2010 and a few years ago started his own Mansfield2day YouTube channel.

Jeremy Mansfield battled and survived leukaemia 13 years ago.

Veteran actor Eric Nobbs dead at 68.

by Thinus Ferreira

The veteran Afrikaans actor Eric Nobbs died on Sunday afternoon in Cape Town. He was 68 and the cause of his death isn't known.

Eric Nobbs was busy filming on the third season of the Afrikaans comedy series Lui maar op, Belinda! on kykNET (DStv 144) produced by Homebrew Films in Cape Town.

He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Desré, with the couple who didn't have any children. On her Facebook page she wrote: "My soulmate is no more. The bottom fell out of my universe at 14:18. I picked these little roses and wanted to Whatsapp him, now it's too late."

Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of kykNET channels, told TVwithThinus that "Eric was in Cape Town when he passed away and working on the third season of Lui Maar op, Belinda! at the time of his passing".

"His death is an enormous shock to everybody that knew and worked with him. Throughout his career he delivered remarkable performances and gave life to many characters on stage, in film and on television. Our thoughts are with his wife, family and colleagues."

Paul Venter, Homebrew Films producer, told TVwithThinus that "Eric, whose very recognisable deep voice is now silent, was an exceptional person and an incredible actor".

"He always greeted everyone with an endearing smile, which radiated a calmness. Last week, the Homebrew Films team again had the privilege of experiencing Eric's gentle nature and remarkable acting skills first-hand when filming began on Lui maar op, Belinda's third season."

"His sudden passing leaves a big void in our industry and we say a heavy farewell to him. Our deepest condolences to Eric's wife Desré and his loved ones at this difficult time."

Eric Nobbs is known for roles in multiple TV series, ranging from three seasons in the crime series Die Byl on kykNET and Showmax to two seasons of Lui maar op Belinda! and Geraldina die Tweede on kykNET, M-Net's Known Gods, and SABC2's Een Skoenlapper, Konings, and Gauteng-aleng. 

Other roles in TV and film include Kniediep in Warm Water and Vloeksteen, Boetie Gaan Border Toe, 1945, Sien Jy Nou, Ma-Plotters, Die Meester, Vlug an Egipte, Terug an Egipte, Hansie: A True Story, Thomas@, Black Velvet Band, the mini-series Rhodes, Kalahari Harry, Bopha!, the TV1-soap Glaskasteel, Die Prins van Pretoria, The Fourth Reich, Mooirivier, Windprints, Moordspeletjies, Die Losprys, Hoekie vir Eensames, Dirk Hoffman, Donderhoek, Kooperasiestories, Die Dood van Elmien Adler, As Ons Twee Eers Getroud Is, City Lovers, Die Kaktustuintjie and Moordenaarskaroo.

Eric Nobbs made his professional stage debut in the 1978 production of PACT's (Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal) Die Keiser of Bartho Smith, followed by Faan se Stasie, Pa Maak vir my 'n Vlieër Pa, The Road to Slagtersnek, A Streetcar named Desire and Huis op Horings.

Over the years Eric Nobbs also appeared on stage in Doppers and Filistyne which was his first one-man show, Donkerland, Die Skandaal, One Man's Life, Broekbrein, Tell Me the Truth, Sophia Mentz Beredder haar Boedel, as well as Leopards, Love Potions and Other Marico Tales.

TV presenter and actress Franci Swanepoel dead at 50.

by Thinus Ferreira

The prolific Afrikaans TV presenter, news reader, producer, director and actress Franci Swanepoel died in her sleep on Sunday morning. She was 50.

The cause of her death is not yet known.

Franci Swanepoel who was born in Johannesburg and matriculated at Linden high school in 1989, graduated with a drama degree from the University of Stellenbosch. 

Franci Swanepoel was busy portraying a latest role in an upcoming new drama series on M-Net's Afrikaans kykNET channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service and is known for her years as a continuity presenter on SABC2, roles in the Afrikaans soaps Binnelanders and Getroud met Rugby on kykNET, and as the presenter-producer of the festival magazine show Fiësta also on kykNET.

In a statement kykNET boss Waldimar Pelser told TVwithThinus that "Franci was busy filming a drama series for kykNET. She was a valued colleague and a dear friend to many and we are incredibly shocked and saddened over the news of her death".

Franci Swanepoel was the entertainment industry daughter of news anchor Nic Swanepoel who had passed away in 1998 and mother Marida Swanepoel who is one of the creators and producers of kykNET, and is survived by her husband Max Baer, mother, older brother Jan Adriaan and older sister Elsje.

Franci Swanepoel who lived in Auckland Park was one of the new crop of SABC2 continuity presenters in the mid-1990s when the South African public broadcaster relaunched its three SABC TV channels and the then-TV1 changed to SABC2. 

In 2003 she created the Makiti production company with Marius de Wall and produced the festival magazine show Fiësta for kykNET that is still on-air and for which she was a full-time presenter for many years and still did occasional inserts on an ongoing basis including into 2022.

On TV, Franci Swanepoel who had also directed and starred in several television commercials, had roles in numerous Afrikaans TV series on SABC2 and kykNET over decades ranging from Woestynblom and Vierspel to Pottie Potgieter, Hartland, Arsenaal, Iemand om lief te He, Die Vierde Kabinet, Bloedbroers, Sterlopers, Donkerland and Elke Skewe Pot. 

She was also the presenter of the travel magazine show Swerftyd on kykNET.

She made her South African TV debut in 1980 in Ntinzini Spa, followed by a role in 1983's Kooperasiestories as Gesie, while her two longest-running drama appearances were for characters like Toeks Joubert in kykNET's Afrikaans soaps Binnelanders as well as Getroud met Rugby. 

After existing her on-screen character she was also a dialogue coach for many years at Getroud met Rugby where she also directed over 50 episodes.

Her last dramatic TV show appearances were in an episode of the kykNET mockumentary series Hotel and in the anthology series Spoorloos 3, both in 2021, and she appeared in the made-for-TV movie Boetie Ontmoet 'n Alien on kykNET in July. 

Franci Swanepoel produced shows like 10 uit 10 and Jan se Karretjie for kykNET and the documentaries Ko lat ons Fees, Hanna se Krismis and Krismis in die Klein Karoo, and did extensive dubbing work for television while also doing voice work for numerous radio TV dramas since the age of five in 1976. 

She also appeared as one of the narrators in kykNET's documentary series about the history of South African television, Oppi Kassie.

In theatre Franci Swanepoel appeared on stage in Car Cemetary, P.M. Slet se Kabaret, Sneeuwitjie en die Sewe Dwergies, Women Behind Bars, Liewe Heksie, Ipekonders, Die Renoster, Die Vampier, Lappies die Lappiesmous, Pinnochio, Junkiedrome, 2002's Siener in die Suburbs, Staal Burger, Aantrekkingskrag, Janneman and 2012's Boksballade, and was on stage opposite Sandra Prinsloo in Soebatsfontein at Innibosfees in 2018.

In film, Franci Swanepoel had supporting and leading roles in 2012's Lien se Lankstaanskoene, Pad na Jou Hart, Lya se Karoo, the kykNET shortfilm Stom, Abraham, and Stroomop. 

In made-for-TV films she had roles in Hartstog, Boesman my Seun, Aantrekkingskrag, 2019's Die Dag is Bros, Fladder and 2021's Apokalips.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II dead at 96.

by Thinus Ferreira

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has died this afternoon at Balmoral Castle, 8 September 2022, bringing to a close her iconic and historic 70-year reign. She was 96.

Queen Elizabeth II was surrounded by her children and grand-children as she passed away.

Her son, Prince Charles, who will be known as King Charles III, succeeds her.

"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," a statement said.

Queen Elizabeth II was the world's second-longest reigning monarch and in 2015 also became the longest-reigning British sovereign of all time.

British TV news channels like BBC News World and Sky News carried on DStv will have a lot of special programming, documentaries and rolling live coverage over the next few days and weeks, including her British Royal funeral which is expected to be watched live worldwide by millions of people.

BBC World News anchors and reporters already switched to wearing black on Thursday afternoon even before the official announcement was made, and will continue to wear black attire.

"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," Prince Charles III said in a statement from Buckingham Palace.

"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."

"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."

Queen Elizabeth II is survived by King Charles III and her other three children - Andrew, Anne and Edward, as well as her grandchildren including Prince William, who is now second in line to the throne, and Prince Harry, who lives in the United States but also flew back to the United Kingdom.

Her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip died in 2021 at 99.

A Titanic 10 dies: Film critic Barry Ronge dead at 74.

by Thinus Ferreira

The iconic and prolific South African film and arts critic and writer Barry Ronge, born Barry Johann Ronge, has died at 74 in Johannesburg.

Barry Ronge who retired in 2014 passed away on Sunday 3 July at home in the arms of his life partner Albertus Van Dyk but requested that his death only be officially announced a week after his passing. They have been a couple for the past 45 years.

The Buz Factor publicist Bridget Van Oerle told eNCA that Barry Ronge died from old age and natural causes and was with his life partner Albertus van Dyk and only wanted the news about his death to be announced a week after his death. 

"Albertus is obviously very, very sad. It's a huge loss. They were together for 45 years. They had an incredible relationship."

Barry Ronge was born in Hillbrow, Johannesburg and grew up on the West Rand where he attended the Florida Park High School. He completed his studies at the University of the Witwatersrand after which he began a teaching career at St. John's College, followed by a 10-year stint as a lecturer in literature at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Barry Ronge became the first male journalist reporting for the Women's Page of The Star newspaper in Johannesburg between 1980 to 1982 and was also the first editor of The Star's entertainment supplement, Star Tonight! 

As a food critic in the late 1980s, Barry Ronge, under the pseudonym of Ms Rebecca Parker, did restaurant and food reviews for the Sandton Living magazine and often got a lot of hate mail about it. 

Barry Ronge became iconic for his long-running Spit 'n Polish column published in the since-discontinued Sunday Times magazine (and which was published as a book in 2006) and his Sunday-night radio show on 702 from 1989 to 2004, on which Albertus was a producer.

Barry Ronge was a reporter for M-Net's (DStv 101) entertainment magazine shows like Front Row and did reviews for M-Net's Revue Plus, and later did stints fronting TV shows built specifically around him as a South African film critic.

It was on M-Net's (DStv 101) Cinemagic with Barry Ronge, and later SABC3's Screenplay, in which Ronge would grade films with alliterating numbers like a "Titanic 10" or a "Failing Four" which solidified Barry Ronge's place as South Africa's most well-known and feared film critic. He later also voiced the SABC2 arts and entertainment series Artcha since 2008.

In 2015 the Sunday Times renamed its prize for South African literature to the Barry Ronge Fiction Prize.

ALSO READ: SA film biz pays tribute to legendary film critic Barry Ronge: Made an immeasurable contribution to cinema appreciation culture.

Famed Afrikaans writer and playwright PG du Plessis has died; made massive contribution to South African television and film over several decades.

The famed Afrikaans writer and playwright PG du Plessis, responsible for several hit South African TV shows in the earlier decades of the SABC and who had made an immense contribution to South African television and to Afrikaans drama and literature over several decades died on Wednesday afternoon. He was 82.

PG (Pieter Georg) du Plessis suffered from prostate cancer since 2010, but the exact cause of death is not known. He died in Wednesday afternoon in the MooiMed hospital in Potchefstroom.

As usual, there was no statement or acknowledgement on Wednesday from the SABC about PG du Plessis or his decades long, and massive contribution to South Africa's public broadcaster and to South African television.

PG du Plessis, besides a litany of dramas and books, in SA television terms will always be remembered for TV series like his talk show on the SABC's erstwhile TV1 channel, P.G. gesels met… and he appeared on screen as the other half in the popular Afrikaans talker Spies & Plessis.

Even in P.G. Gesels met... PG du Plessis would push the boundaries of what was deemed "acceptable" during the Apartheid-SABC era, for instance interviewing Justus Chungu and telling South Africans with TV sets that he's talking to "a black man as my guest in an Afrikaans talk show".

His short stories Koöperasiestories was likewise transformed into a hit as a similarly titled Afrikaans TV series, with both Spies & Plessis and Koöperasiestories that saw multiple repeats across the SABC over many years, and was again shown on the SABC's library-channel SABC Encore (DStv 156) running on MultiChoice's DStv.

It was the success of Koöperasiestories that led him to establish his own production company, Sommatel.

Several of PG du Plessis' Afrikaans plays were filmed like Siener in die Suburbs and 'n Seder Val in Waterkloof and broadcast on SABC television and even SABC radio, and he wrote several radio dramas - all of which received numerous accolades and prizes of several years.

PG du Plessis made a massive contribution to not just the SABC as South Africa's public broadcaster, but to South African television and the local TV industry.

His first TV drams series, Anderkant Sesriem, told the story of a young man's experiences in the Namib desert and his single drama 'n Rand ’n droom won the SABC prize for Afrikaans TV-drama in 1978.

PG du Plessis wrote the TV series TJ7, Maplotters, Andries Plak, Dryfsand and Feast of the uninvited (a reworking from his book Fees van die ongenooides).

He reworked the Mikro stories into the script for the hugely successful, often repeated TV series Mattewis en Meraai on TV1, as well as Pandjieswinkelstories on kykNET (DStv 144).

In film he wrote the scripts for Nag van die 19de, Liewe hemel, Genis, Weerskant die nag and the Bles Bridges biopic The devil and the song.

Besides the novelist's TV and film writing work, the profilic PG du Plessis who was also an academic, journalist, editor and teacher and enriched South African and Afrikaans literature with numerous books, short stories, plays and opinion-editorial pieces.

SABC's human resources boss Mohlolo Lephaka dead after short illness; called parliament 'a kangaroo court' and had to apologise publicly.

The SABC's human resources boss Mohlolo Lephaka is dead following a short illness; he died on Saturday morning.

Mohlolo Lephaka called South Africa's parliament "a kangaroo court" in December 2016 during the special ad hoc committee investigating corruption, maladministration and mismanagement at the SABC and the former SABC board, and was forced to publicly apologise weeks later.

Mohlolo Lephaka called parliament "a kangaroo court" at a controversial press briefing of the SABC's former chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng in Cape Town, where he also decided to talk.

Mohlolo Lephaka died Saturday morning after a short, unspecified illness.

The SABC in a statement noted Mohlolo Lephaka's passing and said it extended condolences to his family and friends.

HE WAS S'GUDI, 'SNAYSI. Veteran actor Joe Mafela (75) dead after car accident in Johannesburg; 'I've never known a nicer man than Joe,' says actress Lilian Dube.

The veteran South African actor Joe Mafela has died. Joe Mafela was 75 and passed away on Saturday night dying at the scene of a car accident on a Johannesburg highway.

The actor, born in 1942 in Sibasa, Limpopo, and most famous for his comedy role in the SABC sitcom 'Sgudi 'Snaysi ("Is Good, is Nice") in life received three Lifetime Achiever Awards - in TV, for stage, and for comedy.

The legendary Joe Mafela died after being involved in a car accident in Johannesburg on Saturday night.

Joe Mafela was currently playing the role of Tebogo Moroka on Generations The Legacy on SABC1 produced by MMSV Productions.

According to police Joe Mafela was involved in a car accident just before 22:00 on Saturday night on the M1 between the Oxford and Houghton Road off-ramps when an Isuzu double cab bakkie and the white Ford Figo that Joe Mafela was driving, was involved in a car crash alongside a construction zone.

Joe Mafela was declared died on the scene of the accident and he was the sole occupant of the Ford Figo. The driver of the Isuzu double cab bakkie was not injured.

Police is investigating and no arrest has been made at the moment. The police said a charge of culpable homicide is being investigated.

Police said Joe Mafela's death could also be the result of an existing medical condition.

Besides his comedic work, Joe Mafela was a producer and director as well as an ad agency creative director in later years, as well as a Zulu singer, producing and releasing several Zulu-language albums.

Joe Mafela who could speak all of South African's 11 languages, became the first black assistant director in South Africa and in 1974 Joe Mafela appeared in South Africa's first all-black movie made in South Africa, Udeliwe.

It was however his role as the constantly scheming S'dumo in the 78-episode Zulu SABC sitcom 'Sgudi 'Snaysi - at a time that the Apartheid-era SABC would only show him on TV2, its channel for black viewers - that catapulted Joe Mafela to stardom and made him a household name and endeared him to millions of viewers with repeated rebroadcasts over decades.

It's here where Joe Mafela developed a strong professional relationship with Roberta Durrant from Penguin Films that saw him become Penguin Films co-owner and going on - and up - to not just produce but also appear in further Penguin Films produced TV projects.

Joe Mafela's other long-running and stand-out TV role - also in a Penguin Films produced production for the SABC - was for instance as Jabu in the lawyer office set sitcom Going Up.

He did a type of "retake" decades later when he starred in an almost similar kind of role as in 'Sgudi 'Snaysi and Going Up as Sol in e.tv's Madam & Eve sitcom in 2000, also produced by Penguin Films.

In 2004, in a show that was before it's time and a send-up of his famous persona, Joe Mafela returned to post-Apartheid SABC for a short-lived TV comedy, Fela's TV, in which a cleaner at a fictional TV broadcaster - although clearly depicting the SABC's Auckland Park headquarters - at night time "stole" the airwaves and swopped his bucket and mop to broadcast a TV show.

Joe Mafela was the creator and singer of the "It's good, good, good, it's good, it's nice" TV advert jingle of the fast food outlet Chicken Licken in 1986.

Joe Mafela received the Lifetime Achiever Award in 2015 a the 5th Annual Comics Choice Awards, saying that it meant he had "done a good job during the years. Whatever was demanded of me, it means I really produced".

Besides his lifetime achievement award at the Comics Choice Awards, Joe Mafela also received a special Duku Duku award in 2004 for his contribution to South Africa's TV industry, and a lifetime achievement award at the Naledi Theatre Awards for his contribution to theatre management in South Africa.

Joe Mafela also received a lifetime achievement award from the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) in 2010.

Joe Mafela's father worked as a shop assistant in a Chinese shop in Sophiatown and when Joe Mafela was three years old he left Johannesburg along with his mother, who was expecting her second child.

They returned to Limpopo where his brother was also born and in 1947 Joe Mafela's family moved to Kliptown, south of Johannesburg where they lived for 5 years.

In 1952 they moved to White City Jabavu, a township that was started as temporary shelters and lived there for 5 years before moving to the Tshiawelo township.

When Joe told his dad that he wanted to be an actor his dad said: "No, that's not work. Work is when you go to work at 8am and come back at 5pm". Luckily Joe Mafela followed his own path.

Considered a true groundbreaking legend of South Africa's TV and entertainment industry, Joe Mafela straddled both the "old" and the "new" South Africa, with over 40 decades of hard-won pioneering work spanning the country's film, TV, stage, radio and advertising industries.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the news of the passing of legendary actor, director and musician ubaba Joe Mafela," said Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa's minister of arts and culture.

"We extend our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of ubaba Joe Mafela, the nation has lost a crown jewel of our arts and culture."

Sello Hatang, The Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO told eNCA (DStv 403) that "In his memory, may the entertainment industry become what he wanted it to be - one that cares about those who act in it, one that wants people to thrive in it; that people shouldn't die poor while they're practising the craft that they believe in".

"The most important thing with Joe Mafela's death is, what do we need to do to ensure that our artists never die poor?" said Sello Hatang.

"We have learned with sadness of the passing of one of the pioneers of the television comedy loved by all South Africans young and old," said South Africa president Jacob Zuma in a statement.

"Joe Mafela also affectionately known as Sdumo was also a television producer and songwriter.  The arts and culture industry has been robbed of a bigger than life figure.  We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mafela family and may his soul rest in peace".

The SABC in a statement with mistakes like referring to Madam & Eve as SABC programming [it was done by Penguin Films for e.tv] said the public broadcaster is "saddened to learn of the sudden passing of arts veteran Joe Mafela. Joe Mafela was a giant in his field and had become a voice and face of the industry."

"The multi-talented Joe Mafela, who was also known as a  singer/songwriter and producer and who recently appeared on SABC1 soap Generations: The Legacy, will be remembered for his memorable acting roles in TV shows such as the hugely popular 'Sgudi 'Snaysi , where he portrayed the character 'Sdumo' a nickname which stuck with him through the years."

"The SABC sends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, viewers and fans who have followed his esteemed career, in TV, stage and film over the past 40 years."

"I've never known a nicer man than Joe," said actress and longtime friend Lilian Dube on Sunday. "He gave and gave".

Lilian Dube revealed that the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) organising the Saftas that took place on Saturday evening didn't want to invite Joe Mafela or herself to the award show, how they are being "marginalised" as actors, and that she spoke with him on Saturday.

"We were even speaking about the Saftas to which he wasn't invited, I wasn't invited and we said you know, Joe? We do what we do because we love it. Whether we get invited to the Saftas or not."