Tuesday, October 20, 2015
ANC: 'The SABC and MultiChoice deal is not in the best interest of the people of South Africa', keeps SABC 'a junior broadcaster to pay TV'.
The ANC is upset with its minister of communications Faith Muthambi and will meet with her today as the ruling political party in South Africa is now hugely concerned about about the highly controversial channels deal signed between MultiChoice and the SABC, saying "the SABC and MultiChoice deal is not in the best interest of the people of South Africa".
The ANC says the controversial deal forces the SABC to remain "a junior broadcaster".
The ANC also wants answers from Faith Muthambi and is hugely concerned about the minister's abrupt policy about-turn of non-encryption for the SABC in the looming switch to digital terrestrial television (DTT) in the country, saying the bad decision by Faith Muthambi will force the SABC to remain "a junior broadcaster to pay television" in South Africa.
On Monday night Jackson Mthembu, ANC National executive committee member and spokesperson, appeared on Justice Malala's The Justice Factor on eNCA (DStv 403), saying the ANC wants answers from Faith Muthambi on the controversial deal between MultiChoice and the SABC.
In the deal worth hundreds of millions of rand, MultiChoice pays the SABC to provide the SABC News (DStv 404) channel, now running just in English on DStv and no longer including other indigenous South African languages, as well as exclusive access to the SABC's archives for the library rerun channel SABC Encore (DStv 156) with old SABC shows.
The controversial MultiChoice and SABC deal is currently before the Competition Commission's tribunal, in a case brought by the public pressure group SOS Coalition, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and the media group Caxton arguing that the mega-millions deal between the public broadcaster and the pay-TV behemoth constitutes a merger.
"Why did the SABC agree on non-encryption in set-top boxes (STBs) for digital terrestrial television (DTT) with MultiChoice?" asked Jackson Mthembu on The Justice Factor.
"There's this agreement that is sitting between MultiChoice and the SABC. That agreement I can tell you is not in the best interest of the SABC itself."
"Because then the SABC will not have premium content, will not be able to compete at the same level with MultiChoice. Therefore the SABC will be a junior broadcaster to pay television. And I think that's not in the best interest of the people of South Africa. We don't," said Jackson Mthembu.
Although the embattled Faith Muthambi denied in a hastily released statement last week that it was discussed, Jackson Mthembu reiterated Monday night on eNCA that encryption of set-top boxes (STBs) was discussed and "extensively" at the recent ANC's NGC as well as the issue of digital TV migration.
"Definitely. It was discussed extensively," said Jackson Mthembu. He repeated that "equally the difficulties and challenges that the SABC is faced with" was also discussed.
Jackson Mthembu said earlier that the ANC had not been consulted by Faith Muthambi on the non-encryption aspect of the digital migration policy.
"If you don't have the instruments to assist you to protect those [content] rights, you won't get those broadcasting rights. You won't get wonderful films from Hollywood, you won't get wonderful rights to air sports. Therefore you will be a junior broadcaster to those that are able to protect their content," said Jackson Mthembu on Monday night.
"The government has been pursuing encryption [for free-to-air digital television signals] for some time, including the 2013 policy that government itself took," said Jackson Mthembu.
"After elaborate consultation with the industry where MultiChoice, e.tv and the SABC were consulted, those consultations concluded with a policy that said as government, on all those set-top boxes that we are going to subsidise, they will be encrypted. No question about it."
Also on Monday night Marian Shinn, the Democratic Alliance (DA) member of parliament tasked with telecommunications, appeared on Insig on kykNET (DStv 144) to discuss the same topic of the beleaguered Faith Muthambi and the ongoing quagmire of the South African government's acute and embarrassing failure with digital TV migration, calling it "a cesspit of intrigue and incompetence".
Sunday, October 18, 2015
South Africans furious with Jason Derulo after the American singer at ANN7's South African of the Year Awards asks if South Africans can speak English.
South Africans are furious with Jason Derulo after the American singer asked South Africans at ANN7's South African of the Year Awards if they can speak English.
Jason Derulo embarrassed Infinity Media's ANN7 and the South African of the Year organisers at the awards show which took place on Saturday night for a second year, and which the TV news channel billed as "the most prestigious awards show in the country".
Another American star, Christina Aguilera, was also set to perform at the South African awards show but also caused embarrassment and a dramatic change to awards show which changed from a concert to an "invitation only" closed event after pulling out a month ago citing sudden diary conflicts.
The backlash on Saturday began after Jason Derulo, who was supposed to be the main draw at the event, asked "Y'all speak English, right?"
Unimpressed South Africans quickly took to social media on Saturday night after Jason Derulo asked if they can speak English, calling him ignorant and blasting him for his music and daft remark.
Jason Derulo eventually responded on Twitter, saying that his "speaking English" remark "was directed to a specific table at the ANN7 South African of the Year Awards because he was frustrated that people at the award show wasn't reacting.
"Speaking English remark I made, was directed to a specific table. It wasn't literal, just a figure of speech when someone isn't responding," Jason Derulo tweeted.
At the South African of the year awards, the main performing act is not South African. Siphi na?
— Outside S'thethi (@ZikhonaTshona) October 17, 2015
In a country with as much talent as South Africa, it is a proper insult to subject the nation to this Jason Derulo person.
— Mme a Masakona (@FloMasebe) October 17, 2015
So Jason Derulo asked us if we speak English?Lmao! Thats what we get when we leave our own talent & chase internationals. Andinayo ne-worry!
— nwabisa (@NwabsWell) October 18, 2015
Jason Derulo isn't even a big star but comes here to disrespect us? Toni Braxton/Babyface were here & they didn't talk nonsense. Who is he?
— Flo (@florenceletoaba) October 17, 2015
When the organizers approached Jason Derulo what language did they speak? 😐
— Shameless (@Mizzpeehkay) October 18, 2015
Jason Derulo, at the South African of the Year Awards, asked the audience if they speak English. @BarackObama, please come fetch him.
— Tats Nkonzo (@TatsNkonzo) October 17, 2015
Wait, Jason Derulo asked WHAAAT??? LMAOOO pic.twitter.com/7tb9fNOxJj
— Perseus (@iampercy_n) October 18, 2015
— Lovemore Chinos (@Luvmo_Chinos) October 18, 2015
"Speaking English" remark I made, was directed to a specific table. It wasn't literal, just a figure of speech when someone isn't responding
— Jason Derulo (@jasonderulo) October 17, 2015
Sibusiso Leope, otherwise known as DJ Sbu, done with SABC1's Friends Like These, leaving the game show after 12 years for 'bigger challenges'.
Sibusiso Leope, better known to viewers as the energy drink hustler DJ Sbu, is the latest on-air casualty for the SABC, announcing that he's leaving the SABC1 game show Friends Like These after almost 12 years.
DJ Sbu who recently started his own energy drink MoFaya jumped to pay-TV earlier this year presenting the show Kicking Doors on CNBC Africa (DStv 410) with the entrepreneurial and aspirational programme content squarely aimed at the SABC1 market, and he will also soon be appearing on e.tv.
In March DJ Sbu was first suspended, then fired by Metro FM, the SABC radio station where he had a show after promoting his MoFaya at the 14th Metro FM Awards.
In a statement DJ Sbu says he's now also done with the SABC's Friends Like These, produced by Urban Brew Studios, which he presented for about 12 years on SABC1. DJ Sbu says he's "moving to bigger challenges".
"I have learnt a lot working with Urban Brew, the BBC and SABC1 to create such a successful game show. It has made my entertainment career a success and made me a household name in the South African television industry," says DJ Sbu in a statement.
"It's time I make way for others and move on to bigger challenges as a youth leader in business and community projects through my foundation SLEF. I am excited about my future endeavours in the business world. It's about time I pass on the baton to younger and fresh talent."
"It's going to be an exciting 2016," says DJ Sbu. "I'm looking forward to seeing the show grow from strength to strength. I still will be part of the show from the sidelines giving advice and guidance wherever I can, to make sure that the show continues to be the success it has been for the past decade."
DJ SBu says that it's "now time to put my faith on my entrepreneurship journey. Thixo!".
DJ SBu whose personal relationship troubles continues to be fodder for tabloid headlines will appear soon on the new season of e.tv's profile show The Close Up with Nicky Greenwall. The new season of The Close Up in which South African celebrities recount their life stories starts on 19 November on e.tv at 18:00 with an episode featuring DJ Sbu.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
CNN International snaps up Eleni Giokos as African business correspondent; will report on news and business, work across CNN's Africa programmes.
In a hiring coup, CNN International (DStv 401) has appointed the wanderlust reporter and anchor Eleni Giokos as an African business correspondent based in the news network's Johannesburg bureau.
Eleni Giokos who already did her first on-air interview for CNN Marketplace Africa on Friday joins CNN International after Bloomberg Television downsized this year and quietly shuttered its dedicated Africa business coverage.
Eleni Giokos joined Bloomberg TV Africa from eNCA (DStv 403) exactly two years ago as senior anchor and financial journalist anchoring two programmes for the channel just as she was about to anchor a new business show on eNCA. Before eNCA she anchored on and was a business reporter for CNBC Africa (DStv 410).
Eleni Giokos' addition to CNN International's Africa team bolsters the already formidable, and phenomenal, line-up of on-air talent of the TV news channel.
Eleni Giokos is now part of the CNN International Africa group that includes names like the extremely knowledgeable and experienced Robyn Kriel who also left eNCA earlier this year to join CNN International, David McKenzie who returned to Africa from covering China for CNN International a few month ago, and Soni Methu coming into her own as the presenter of the weekly Inside Africa magazine show.
No longer based in South Africa, but anchoring daily for CNN International is the excellent Robyn Curnow, hailing from South Africa.
According to CNN International, Eleni Giokos, who has an honours degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Witwatersrand, will take on a range of responsibilities for the network.
Besides reporting on news and business stories, Eleni Giokos will work across CNN International's African feature programmes, including Marketplace Africa and African Voices.
"Eleni is an enormously talented and versatile broadcaster," says Mike McCarthy, the senior vice president for programming at CNN International.
"She has interviewed world leaders, covered major breaking news stories, and presented network feature programmes. Her appointment underlines our commitment to African stories and African audiences. We're delighted to have her here at CNN."
BREAKING. SABC's controversial boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng suddenly goes on 'voluntary leave' before his disciplinary hearing set for 30 October.
The embattled COO of the South African public broadcaster went on a self-imposed "leave of absence" on Friday - apparently without the SABC's even knowing about it when asked.
SABc spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago told City Press on Friday night that he wasn't aware that Hlaudi Motsoeneng had left.
"I don't know if he has gone on voluntary leave. I am not aware. We don't have a category like that at the SABC, voluntary leave," said Kaizer Kganyago.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng's leave of absence follows after he was charged with alleged extreme dishonest in faking qualifications, extreme dishonesty in misleading the SABC, abuse of power as COO, abuse of position as acting COO, gross misconduct, as well as abuse of position as acting COO of allegedly firing senior staff members who had a different opinion than him.
These charges are contained in the charge sheet the SABC served on its second highest ranking executive who has to appear at a disciplinary hearing on 30 October.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng has not been suspended by the SABC pending the disciplinary hearing - the issue of contention and the crux of just one of the protracted court cases against him - but he has now decided to take a voluntary leave of absence.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng's lawyer, Zola Majavu indicated that Hlaudi Motsoeneng "as at 12:30 [on Friday] has voluntarily removed himself from the workplace."
"He will remain on a voluntary leave of absence until the completion of disciplinary proceedings which the SABC has instituted against him".
Friday, October 16, 2015
BREAKING. SABC charges its controversial and matricless boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng with faking qualifications, abuse of power, dishonesty, abuse of position.
These charges are contained in the charge sheet the SABC served on its second highest ranking executive who has to appear at a disciplinary hearing on 30 October.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng has not been suspended pending the disciplinary hearing - the issue of contention and the crux of just one of the protracted court cases against him - yet on Friday he has suddenly placed himself on "voluntary leave".
The minister of communications, Faith Muthambi, has appointed Sandile July from Werksmans Attorneys to initiate the disciplinary proceedings against Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
The disciplinary proceedings which is set for 30 October will be chaired by advocate William Mokhare SC.
According to Hlaudi Motsoeneng's disciplinary hearing charge sheet, signed by the SABC chairperson prof. Mbulaheni Obert Maguvhe, informs Hlaudi Motsoeneng that if he is found guilty "strong action [can] be taken against you, which may include your dismissal".
Hlaudi Motsoeneng is charged with:
1.Gross dishonesty alternatively misrepresentation in that:
The SABC records show that you commenced employment at the SABC on or about 1 March 1995 as a trainee journalist. When you applied for the position (trainee journalist), you completed an application form.
In the application form you completed you recorded that you had passed standard 10 at age 23 with the following subjects: English E, South Sotho E, Afrikaans E, Bibs E, and History F.
You were appointed to the above-mentioned position on the basis that you had passed standard 10 as indicated on your application form.
You continued to make the same claim and representation in your subsequent applications for employment at the SABC.
It is alleged that you misrepresented the facts relating to your qualifications in that you did not possess the standard 10 you alleged to have passed in your application form.
You knew that the representation made in your application form was not true, yet you proceeded and made it nonetheless.
2.Gross dishonesty in that:
In 2003 you applied for the position of executive producer: current affairs with the SABC. In your CV which was part of the application,you stated that you were at some stage "appointed as head of communications at the department of tourism and economical affairs in Northern Cape".
Upon investigation,it was established that the above representation you made in your CV was not true. It is alleged that you were never employed at the aforesaid department. You accordingly misled the SABC into believing that you were once employed at the Department of Tourism in the Northern Cape.
3.Abuse of power, alternatively gross negligence in that:
Sometime during 2011 the position of chief finance officer (CFO) became vacant at the SABC.
It is alleged that you together with other members of the selection panel violated the prescripts of the recruitment and selection policy in appointing Gugu Duda after the initial interview process. Msulwa Daca was never appointed to the position despite being the recommended candidate.
It is alleged that you together with other members of the selection panel violated the prescripts of the recruitment and selection policy in appointing Gugu Duda after the initial interview process. Gugu Duda never even applied for the position in question. It is alleged that you instructed the SABC Human Resources to accept the CV of Gugu Duda notwithstanding the fact that it was submitted after the interviews were concluded.
Notwithstanding that Gugu Duda never applied for the position in question and was never shortlisted,you nevertheless interviewed her. Upon being interviewed, it was established that Gugu Duda ranked the second lowest in the list of interviewed candidates. You proceeded to recommend her for appointment.
It is alleged that you have abused your position as acting chief operating officer in this regard; alternatively you were grossly negligent in executing your obligations in relation to this appointment.
4.Gross misconduct in that:
On 1 February 2012 you transferred Ms Motsweni from the position of general manager: compliance to the position: head: monitoring, compliance and operation services. This is a new position , which you created.You offered her a fixed term contract for the duration of 5 years at R1.5 million.
It is alleged that this position was never advertised either internally or externally, as required by the SABC recruitment and selection policy. It is further alleged that there was no interview process conducted.
5.Abuse of position in that:
It is alleged that during your tenure as acting COO, you unfairly dismissed senior staff members of the SABC for differing in opinion with you.
It is alleged that you directly initiated the dismissal or termination of employment of the following individuals: Bernard Koma, Hosia Jiyane, Sello Thulo, Montlenyane Diphoko, Mapule Mbalathi and Ntswoaki Ramaphosa.
6.Gross misconduct in that:
You unilaterally increased your salary and those of Ms Motsweni, Thobeka Khumalo contrary to the provisions of Part IV of the SABC personnel regulations.
Your actions in this regard constituted unauthorised expenditure in terms of section 1 of the Public Finance Management Act.
Second season of Siba's Table with Siba Mtongana starting today on Food Network at 20:00
The new second season of Siba's Table with Siba Mtongana starts today on Food Network (DStv 175) at 20:00 as the celebrity chef gets to work on a new series of recipes.
In the second season of 10 episodes, viewers can watch Siba Mtongana prepare chicken salad vir bacon wrapped greens for her musician friends in the first episode, as well as showing her culinary talent with everything from seared tuna to roast pork in subsequent episodes.
Siba Mtongana will give advice, share ideas and show how viewers how to do several themed meals, ranging from anniversary dinners to colourful African celebrations.
MultiChoice Nigeria's head office raided; computers, DStv information seized by Consumer Protection Council as conflict escalates between pay-TV provider, consumer agency.
So far there been no statement or official word yet from MultiChoice Africa on the raid of its headquarters in Nigeria with the CPC saying MultiChoice has been obstructing its investigation.
The CPC says the investigation which started at the end of July, follows a "barrage of consumer complaints alleging wide-range abuse of DStv subscribers' rights".
The CPC says complaints from subscribers to MultiChoice's services range from poor quality of service such as incessant disruption of service without compensation, wrongful disconnection, DStv decoder swap irregularities, poor redress mechanisms, and poor customer service from MultiChoice.
The conflict has been steadily building between the satellite pay-TV provider and the consumer protection agency since the beginning of this year when MultiChoice announced a hefty DStv price hike which led to subscriber confusion, court interdicts and a court case which MultiChoice won.
Nigeria's ThisDay newspaper reports that MultiChoice Nigeria's headquarters got raided on Thursday afternoon, with CPC officials armed with a court warrant, taking computers and other documents while Nigerian police and journalists looked on.
It follows after a meeting set for Tuesday between the CPC and MultiChoice Nigeria didn't take place with MultiChoice Nigeria's managing director John Ugbe who earlier told the CPC that MultiChoice can't hand over DStv subscribers' personal information, citing customer confidentiality.
Nigeria's CPC says the "enforcement exercise" led by the council's director of legal services, Emmanuel Ataguba, was carried out to ensure that ongoing investigations into complaints of alleged DStv subscribers' rights abuses reaches a desirable conclusion.
According to Nigeria's Daily Post newspaper, the CPC says MultiChoice Nigeria kept delaying meeting with the CPC.
According to the CPC, MultiChoice Nigeria on 25 August asked for yet another extension of 6 weeks. The CPC declined the 6 week request and told MultiChoice Nigeria it would get another two weeks until 10 September.
"The aforementioned action of Multichoice Nigeria has left the CPC with no other option than to do everything within the law to ensure that consumers are saved the agony of an endless wait for the conclusion of the ongoing investigation," says the CPC.
According to Nigeria's Daily Sun the meeting on 10 September was cancelled again when MultiChoice Nigeria requested to have legal representation present at the meeting.
Nigeria's Premium Times reports that the CPC investigating panel got tired of MultiChoice Nigeria's "abrupt adjournments and disruptions".
After pulled from the schedule, Magic with Mo on SABC3 is retitled as Mo Magic, then changed back to Magic with Mo; will now start this Saturday on SABC3 at 19:00.
Magic with Mo will now start tomorrow, Saturday 17 October on SABC3 at 19:00 after being delayed over a title change but eventually reverting back to the original title.
The show, produced by Blingola Media, was originally supposed to start this past Saturday 10 October on SABC3 with the title of Magic with Mo, but the SABC channel once again pulled the new local production at the last minute from its schedule.
Problems causing the broadcast delay included SABC3 having problems with the title of Magic with Mo.
Magic with Mo was retitled as Mo Magic in which the South African magician Mo Magic meets celebrities like SABC soap stars and then dazzle them with his tricks.
The problematic title change created ended up creating more problems since that trademark was already taken, according to sources, with SABC3 deciding to go back to the original working title of Magic with Mo.
Magic with Mo includes "an uplifting and inspirational element" where Mo Magic engages with celebrities, sports stars and other South Africans, asking them about their careers and dreams, while he astonishes them at various locations with some magic tricks.
Mo Magic, called the "James Bond of Magic" in South Africa, is actually an electronic engineer by qualification but discovered his passion for magic as a hobby at university and it became his part time career.
In 2010, after working as a project manager, he resigned to focus full-time on his passion for the art of magic and has performed in numerous countries, dazzling audiences with his repertoire in which he incorporates magical effects in contemporary presentations.
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