M-Net looking to produce a new range of new local South African films in all languages and genres; calling on filmmakers to submit their original ideas.

M-Net is looking to produce a range of new local South African films in all languages and is calling in South African filmmakers to submit their original ideas for contemporary stories in various genres.

In the past three years, M-Net that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, has backed more than 40 theatrical feature films under the M-Net Movies, Mzansi Magic and kykNET Films banners, including Happiness is a Four Letter Word and Vir Altyd.

"Movies have been the heartbeat of our business right from the start," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net CEO.

"Through the years we committed ourselves to develop and boost our own film industry - first with initiatives like the New Directions and EDiT short films project and more recently by supporting an increasing number of authentic local feature films - both financially and creatively."

"We are incredibly proud of the slate of films linked to our stable and it's encouraging to know that plenty of these beautifully made movies have been the work of first-time directors or screenwriters," says Yolisa Phahle.

"In our quest to continue to add value to the local film landscape, we identified some gaps. Hence the decision to give local movie makers another opportunity to pitch their ideas for great new films."

"This is a fantastic opportunity for new filmmakers to break into the industry or for veterans to get the green light for their next big film."

M-Net is now specifically looking for feature films in certain comedy and action sub-genres, as well as films based on successful vernacular novels that can be adapted for cinema.

kykNET Films is also planning to create and develop a Cape-based romantic comedy or family saga in Afri-kaaps.

In the action genre M-Net is inviting proposals for suspense thrillers and adventure stories.

No matter what the genre is, the stories should be authentically South African, reflecting the country's current reality and be void of sensationalism and cultural stereotypes.

M-Net also wants to see pitches that demonstrate a keen understanding of the specific film genre and the music should be reflective of the story and include as many relevant South African music tracks as possible.

The closing date for submissions is Monday 14 November 2016 and must be done through M-Net's corporate website here

SUMMER UPFRONT 2016: BBC Worldwide South Africa shows some of its new upcoming programming across its channels on DStv for October to February 2017.

BBC Worldwide in South Africa held a Summer Upfront on Tuesday in Johannesburg showcasing some upcoming programming on BBC Worldwide's set of channels that's available on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa and selectively through some other African countries.

From BBC Worldwide flew in Grant Welland, the BBC Worldwide's executive vice president for the CEMA (Central Europe, Middle East and Africa), actor Sanjeev Bhaskar who appears in the drama Unforgotten and Chadden Hunter who is an executive producer on the documentary series Planet Earth II.


Editor's note: The PR agency of BBC Worldwide in South Africa didn't inform some media beforehand that the Summer Upfront would be happening. In my case BBC Worldwide's PR agency tells me there wasn't enough coverage given of BBC Worldwide's previous upfront to justify an invitation/communication about it.



Kully Kaur-Bains, BBC Worldwide's head of programming for South Africa says "this summer our South African channel portfolio is one of our strongest yet. From the ambitious history series Planet Earth II to star-studded premium dramas The Collection and The Durrells, audiences will find a diverse range of premium content to indulge in."

Joel Churcher, BBC Worldwide Africa's vice president and general manager for Africa says that since the relaunch of BBC Worldwide's set of channels on DStv in South Africa and some across Africa, "BBC Brit's weekly reach has doubled since the channel's launch among DStv Compact males."

"BBC Earth leads its competitor set with the largest proportion of LSM 8-10 viewers, and BBC Lifestyle continues to be DStv's number one lifestyle channel among all individuals."

Joel Churcher says "BBC First ranks as the number one international drama channel on DStv for average time spent on a channel, a true testament to how well premium British drama resonates with South African audiences."

"BBC Worldwide continues to significantly invest in world-class, premium programming spanning every genre, the results of which South African viewers can experience through our channels."

Reggie Yates Collection
BBC Brit (DStv 120) (no date, coming soon)
BBC Brit will be showing a collection of the British actor's programming. Race Riots USA (1 60 minutes episode) looks at black people in America.

Reggie Yates' Extreme Russia (3 60 minute episodes) visits three different communities in Russia, exploring what it's like for young people there 24 years after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Chris Harris on Cars
BBC Brit (DStv 120) (no date, coming soon)
The new Top Gear presenter shows a compilation of his best YouTube hits. He gets behind the wheel and takes viewers into the technical complexities of these vehicles and featuring cars like Ashton Martin G12, Porche 911, GT3 RS, McLaren 650S and Ferrari 458.

Robot Wars
BBC Brit (DStv 120) Sunday 16 October 21:00
Filmed in a purpose-built arena in Glasgow, Scotland, presenters Dara O Briain and Angela Scanion look on 40 teams of amateur robot enthusiasts battle it out over 6 episodes to become Robot Wars Champion 2016. Each episode has 8 competing robots.

Motorheads
BBC Brit (DStv 120) (no date, coming soon)
Described as a "hilarious car show for the internet age". Presenters Tom Ford and Jonny Smith look for online motoring videos and pit their own driving skills against some of those seen on the internet.

Episodes 
BBC Brit (DStv 120) Tuesdays 20:00
Comedy series with Matt LeBlanc who plays an actor cast in a British sitcom.

You're Back in the Room
BBC Brit (DStv 120) Sunday 27 November 21:00
A brand-new game show with Phillip Schofield as the presenter. A team of five strangers take on simple tasks - but after they've been hypnotised, something that often triggers them to sabotage their own chances of winning.

Britain's Biggest Superyachts - Chasing Perfection
BBC Brit (DStv 120) Thursday 1 December 21:00
An inside look at Britain's biggest luxury yacht manufacturer, Sunseeker. This once off hourlong documentary tells the story of the company's latest model and the challenges faced by the company as they build their most bespoke boat every for a demanding New York client.

The Graham Norton Show XX
BBC Brit (DStv 120) Tuesday 11 October 21:00
The talk show returns for its 20th season

The World's Deadliest Drivers
BBC Brit (DStv 120) Mondays 20:00
Dashcams and CCTV footage reveal car crashes, filled with outrageous footage caught by cameras.

Planet Earth II
BBC Earth (DStv 184) February 2017
Sir David Attenborough (who else?) narrates this next new version based and continuing on from Planet Earth made a decade ago.
The new version will take viewers to jungles, deserts, mountains, islands, grasslands and cities and explore the characters of Earth's most iconic habitats.

Forces of Nature
BBC Earth (DStv 184) February 2017
Four 50 minute episodes explaining what lies beneath Earth's startling beauty and what makes the world work.
The series uses accessible science and cutting-edge filming techniques as it answers questions like "Why is water blue?"

Rome's Invisible City 
BBC Earth (DStv 184) Sunday 17 January 2017 16:00
Dr Michael Scott leads a team to reveal the ancient world's most awe-inspiring city - the underground quarries, aqueducts, vast water cisterns, temples, tombs, lifts, trap doors, and mechanics beneath the Coliseum and how the city was built two thousands years ago.

Weird Wonders of the World
BBC Earth (DStv 184) (no date, coming soon)
Eight 50 minute episodes in which scientists answer some of the strangest questions that range from animal oddities and weird weather to remarkable natural phenomena and medical marvels.

Where the Wild Men are with Ben Fogle III
BBC Earth (DStv 184) Tuesday 1 November 19:30
There's 9 episodes in the third season in which adventurer Ben Fogle meets more people setting up home in some of the most isolated locations on Earth.
This season he will join Gaynor Leeper in the Swedish Arctic Circle, in Utah twins living inside a canyon, an Alaskan forest home, and in Namibia someone living in the desert sand dunes.

Life Below Zero IV
BBC First (DStv 119) (no date, coming soon)
Twenty episodes following the hardy characters living and working in Alaska as they gather, hunt, fish and build before the land freezes and the dark winter arrives around them.
Note: BBC Worldwide South Africa says this is coming to BBC First but it falls in the BBC Earth category, likely making the "BBC First" a mistake.

The Great South African Bake Off II
BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) Tuesday 18 October 20:00
Twelve new baking contestants with one leaving midway through in the new second season of the local South African version of the baking reality show.
With Anne Hirsch as presenter and Lentshe Bhengu replacing Donovan Goliath as the new co-presenter, and Shirley Guy and Tjaart Walraven both back as the judges.

Strictly Come Dancing XIV
BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) January 2017
Fifteen new British  celebrity contestants dancing and trying to win the Glitterball trophy. Look out for the South African dancer Oti Mabuse.

Anjum's Spice Stories
BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) (no date, coming soon)
The British-Indian food writer and TV chef Anjum Anand takes viewers on a spice trail throughout Australia in this new 12-episode series.

Celebrity MasterChef UK IX
BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) February 2017
Twelve celebrities put on aprons and prepare dishes to try and impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallance. They have to make dishes for former MasterChef champions and notorious restaurant critics.

Grand Designs: House of the Year
BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) February 2017
Follows the House of the Year competition to find the winner of this architecture prize. Kevin McCloud and others explore some of Britain's most contemporary and cutting-edge homes.

The Collection
BBC First (DStv 119) (no date, coming soon)
This new 8-episode drama series revolves around a fashion empire, The House of Sabine, in Paris 1947, that's run by two very different brothers.
Paul controls the business and younger brother Claude is the reckless, hedonistic one. Behind the glamour are of course devastating secrets in this drama series set during a pivotal moment in France's history when fashion became a vehicle for transformation and reinvention.

SS-GB
BBC First (DStv 119) (no date, coming soon)
Drama series adapted from Len Deighton's bestselling thriller.

The 6 hour-long episodes that's a bit like The Man in the High Castle, revolve around London detective in a London in the 1940's where the Second World War was won by Hitler.
Detective Douglas Archer is caught between his brutal new SS bosses and the British resistance movement.

Maigret
BBC First (DStv 119) January 2017
Rowan Atkinson is Maigret in two 90-minute episodes as a detective in Paris in the 1950s solving cases. The first episode deals with a serial killer targeting women in the seedy district of Montmartre.
The second episode deals with the murder of a gambler.

Sherlock IV
BBC First (DStv 119) (no date, coming soon)
There's a further three 90-minute episodes of this detective series with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

Unforgotten II
BBC First (DStv 119) (no date, coming soon)
Sanjeev Bhaskar and Nicola Walker in a brand-new story, revolving around the fallout from the investigation into a historic murder case.

The Durrells
BBC First (DStv 119) (no date, coming soon)
A British family living in the Greek islands and based on Gerald Durrell's trilogy of novels exploring the drama when a family adjusts to a new way of life with new challenges in a new country.

Ripper Street IV
BBC First (DStv 119) Friday 18 November 21:00
A fourth season of the cancelled, then brought back Victorian era set drama series taking place in London's East End criminal world.

Father Brown IV
BBC First (DStv 119) Friday 23 December 20:00
The meddling detective and man of the cloth is back investigating further crimes in the sleepy Cotsworld village of Kembleford with his pushy secretary Mrs McCarthy. Ten new episodes.

BBC World News
DStv 400,  StarSat 256

Little new.
Still basically Focus on Africa from Mondays to Fridays at 19:30 and Africa Business Report on Fridays at 20:40.
Didi Akinyelure from CBNC Africa (DStv 410) won this year's BBC World News Komla Dumor Award.

Go Jetters
CBeebies (DStv 306) Monday 10 October 17:50
The animation series is back daily from Monday 10 October about four international heroes looking like cut-off fingers with a My Little Pony that's a unicorn.
They like to explore new places and learn more about (and protect) landmark natural and man-made places.

Lesley Musina replaces Dingaan Mokebe as the new presenter of the 9th season of Speak Out on SABC2's consumer rights show.

Lesley Musina is taking over as the presenter of the new season of Speak Out on SABC2, replacing Muvhango's Dingaan Mokebe who no longer wants to be involved with the consumer rights current affairs show, following a public and awkward falling out with the production company Aviwe Business Development Services.

The new 9th season of Speak Out is scheduled to start on SABC2 on Thursday, 6 October at 21:30.

Lesley Musina replaces Dingaan Mokebe who was the presenter for 4 seasons, but SABC2 isn't commenting about any of it.

According to Speak Out the new season will "investigate and expose issues that most South African consumers struggle with". "This season aims to educate and empower our complainants, consumers, businesses and viewers in terms of consumer rights".

"The realization of how important it has been meeting people who have been taken for a ride by big business has been humbling," says Lesley Musina who can speak English, Tshivenda, Sepedi, Setswana, Sesotho, Isizulu, Xitsonga and Afrikaans.

"Being their voice and ensuring that we fight for what belongs to them only brings comfort in one’s space. There is nowhere to hide when Speak Out is around".

"Shooting Speak Out has has been a great experience. The realization of how important it has been meeting people who have been taken for a ride by big business has been humbling. Being their voice and ensuring that we fight for what belongs to them only brings comfort in one's space."

"This shows that programmes like Speak Out is exactly what the doctor ordered for the consumer. There is nowhere to hide when Speak Out is around," says Lesley Musina.

Speak Out can be contacted at Speak Out, PO Box 8922, Johannesburg, 2000 or fax 086 563 3754 or email speakout@aviwebds.co.za

The Great South African Bake Off contestant Asfeyah Mia gone midway from BBC Lifestyle's second season on DStv after questions about her amateur baking status.

The contestants have been revealed for the second season of The Great South African Bake Off on BBC Lifestyle that will start on 18 October with one of the contestants that left the show partway during filming after questions were raised over whether she's really an amateur baker.

Viewers will see Asfeyah Mia (52) a Johannesburg, housewife as one of the 12 new Great South African Bake Off contestants, but she leaves the show partway through the upcoming second season.

BBC Worldwide and production company Rapid Blue says that "although the production team were aware of the [2013 online] article before filming began and were satisfied that Asfeyah did meet the criteria, it was agreed the article had the potential to be a distraction and Asfeyah volunteered to step down in fairness to her fellow bakers and viewers".

BBC Worldwide making a second season of the Love Productions format, says "Asfeyah left The Great South African Bake Off before the final, therefore her departure did not impact either the make-up of the final or the overall series winner".

Lentshe Bhengu also replaces Donovan Goliath as the new co-presenter with Anne Hirsch in the upcoming season, with Shirley Guy and Tjaart Walraven as the judges.

The second season of the show includes 12 contestants, ranging from Johannesburg housewives and a domestic worker, to an economist and a scientists doing crop modelling, to a psychologist, electrician and correctional officer.

Nasreen Chamda (28), industrial psychologist, Johannesburg
She calls baking with her mom "one of my most precious memories" and says that she tends to "push the boundaries of the cakes that we are required to bake".
Says she would describe herself as a "croquembouche" because it has "components that are traditional and pretty". If she could have baked a cake for anyone, it would be for Nelson Mandela.

Cait McWilliams (18), restaurant manager, Cape Town
Calls herself a "focused cook that enjoys classic flavours" and her signature bake is "anything to do with chocolate and salted caramel".
Says her apron slogan would be "never lose your temper".

Earl Mark Morrison (48), electrician, Durban
He was always interested in baking and uses it to escape. He calls himself a "precise perfectionist who always expects good results".
He says he "bakes with passion and perseverance. Failure is not an option" and that his mom taught him to appreciate the little things in life.

Hillary Aries (32), accounts clerk, Johannesburg
He says he started experimenting with baking as a teenager. "Every Sunday as a family we had to have something fresh out of the oven, so I would always bake anything from scones to breads, and my favourite, chocolate cake".
He says baking for him is all about taste and would bake a cake for his parents if he could. "I know my mum and dad are watching over me."

Jason Miller (24), design student, Johannesburg
He says that he can do the moonwalking while baking and would like to bake a cake for Lady Gaga. "I love her style, her music and everything she stands for.
The slogan on his apron would be: "When life gives you lemons, make a cheesecake".

Leon Jansen van Vuuren (50), correctional officer, Johannesburg
This home cook says him mom taught him how to bake three decades ago, and says he's scared of working with the mixer and the oven.
If he was a cake he says he would be a "bee sting cake - soft on the inside and hard and sticky on the top".

Penny Rider (57), housewife, Johannesburg
Her biggest baking disaster ever was making rusks for a friend and forgetting to add the sugar.
"I learnt the basics of baking from my mum and the more advanced baking from my dad".

Asfeyah Mia (52), housewife, Johannesburg
Says she likes to "experiment with new ideas, equipment, inspiration". The slogan on her apron would be "bake from your heart".

Avontalent Tanhera (29), domestic worker, Durban
Originally from Zimbabwe, Avontalent says her passion "started four years ago, as I was far away from home".
"What sets me apart from the other bakers is I am still new to baking. I don't back of easily and I'm good with flavours. I am fast, determined and optimistic".

Carol Ndovela (35), promo producer, Johannesburg
Says she got into baking from watching cooking and baking shows on television and says people would describe her as "rebellious, I don't like to be put in a box".
She says she would love to bake a cake for her late mum. "She was a hopeless baker and she would be very proud of me".

Matthew Jones (35), scientist (crop modeller), Durban
Says he was inspired by the bread baked by his grandfather and calls himself "pragmatic and authentic".
"I favour recipes with simple, easily-obtained ingredients. I also prefer to bake things where the appearance is determined by the preparation method and ingredients, rather than artificial decoration".

Motshidisi Mokoena (28), economist, Johannesburg
"I only really got into baking about five years ago whilst completing my Master's degree. My passion and love for cakes grew even deeper as I started working and needed a creative outlet from my stressful day at the office," she says.
She describes herself as a "analytical but messy cook".



Editor's note: BBC Worldwide in South Africa held a Summer Upfront on Tuesday in Johannesburg for its BBC channels and shows across its DStv channels on MultiChoice but didn't inform beforehand that it would be happening.
BBC Worldwide's PR agency says there wasn't enough coverage of BBC Worldwide's previous upfront given to justify an invitation/communication.

MultiChoice says it can't comment following reports that SABC News channel on DStv is contributing to SABC's ongoing staggering losses.

After allegations in weekend newspaper reports that the SABC's SABC News (DStv 404) channel supplied to MultiChoice is actually a debilitating cash drain on the public broadcaster - despite MultiChoice paying the SABC hundreds of millions of rands - MultiChoice says it can't comment on it.

According to weekend reports a large part of the SABC's latest, and growing loss of R411 million for 2015/2016 can be attributed to the massive cost of news.

The cost of producing news was a whopping R876 million according to the SABC's 2015/2016 annual report.

The SABC and MultiChoice signed a contract for the SABC to supply the library channel SABC Encore and the 24-hour TV news channel SABC News to MultiChoice for the DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

The controversial SABC executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng signed the contract in July 2013 - although he had no SABC board mandate to negotiate the channels deal with MultiChoice and his deal were never approved by either the SABC board or the SABC's legal division.

MultiChoice was asked for comment and if MultiChoice is of the view that the transaction for the 2 TV channels are beneficial or detrimental to the SABC as insiders are alleging.

MultiChoice was asked what the duration of the contract is for the SABC to supply the SABC News channel to MultiChoice, and if MultiChoice feels it is the cause of ongoing SABC losses.

MultiChoice in response said "we can't comment on other organisations' financial matters".

The SABC's water is cholera free and its hair salon is popular with e.tv staffers: The fascinating - and sometimes funny - details from the SABC's latest annual report.

The only light coming from the SABC's latest 2015/16 financial report and its R411 million loss is that it's safely disposing of its flourescent lights that contain hazardous chemicals and mercury vapor.

That's little comfort to SABC staff and the public who are recoiling at its latest set of dismal results that saw the SABC's financial position worsen further, posting it's 6th consecutive qualified audit with another growing loss as its cash balance plunged precipitously below the R1 billion mark to R881 million.

While the SABC's financial report describes its controversial executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng as someone who has been "proven to be a leader of note", the reality is that Hlaudi Motsoeneng – whose salary ballooned further from R3.7 to R4.19 million – oversaw a period in which the SABC slid further back as the beleaguered SABC continues to lurch from crisis tot crisis.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng is now the best-paid single individual at the SABC.

The now-fired head of TV Verona Duwarkah pocketed R2.69 million, and the now-axed CEO Frans Matlala got R3.6 million for 9 months. 

The SABC report only states that he was placed on suspension and doesn't say why. James Aguma, chief financial officer, and now acting CEO, earned R3.62 million.

SABC chairperson Obert Maguvhe pocketed R637 000 – more than the R537 000 the disgraced former chairperson Ellen Tshabalala got in the previous financial year.

SABC audience share falls again, down to 48.8%

While the SABC's TV channels SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 attract audiences of 28.8 million, 26.9 million and 21 million viewers per week, the reality is that the SABC's average audience share fell yet again to 48.8%.

That's down from 57% in 2011/2012 and 53% in 2012/2013.

The SABC admits that it missed its target of 52% and blames "increased competition and changing audience content consumption patterns" for its falling share.

In radio the SABC radio stations managed an adult (listeners older than 15) audience share of only 69.9%, meaning that almost a third of people who can listen to one of the SABC’s radio stations don't want to.

The financial report interestingly doesn't cover the latest period during which Hlaudi Motsoeneng haphazardly introduced a 90% quota for local music needletime on its radio stations and a barrage of failed local TV content that saw viewers flee. 

This will still  negatively impact on both TV audience share and advertising income, the impact of which will only become evident in the 2016/2017 financials.

In the latest report, the SABC admits further that its "SABC online websites did not fare as expected and delivered an 11% year-on-year growth rate in page views" far below the 15% target and blames social media like Facebook and Twitter.

The auditor-general (AG) slammed the SABC for not having "adequate document management systems in place to identify irregular expenditure" and that the SABC "incurred expenditure in vain, which could have been avoided had reasonable care been exercised that were not included in fruitless and wasteful expenditure".

The SABC admits that "high levels of fee payment evasion by SABC licence holders" continues. As the SABC continues to spend millions to try and gather SABC TV licence income, the income from SABC TV licence collection fees continue to go down.

While the SABC struggles and blames expensive international sports rights, having to cover events of national importance it apparently can't budget for, and investments in technology to switch out analogue equipment for the loss, its already indicated that it plans to create and broadcast even more TV and radio channels in future while its having problems scheduling content on its existing channels that attract audiences.

A 1 001 direct complaints

The SABC's latest 143 page financial report is once again filled with interesting, and some unintentionally funny, nuggets.

The first factual lies occurs on page 11 where the SABC says its SABC News channel on MultiChoice's DStv channel 404 "broadcasts mainly in English,with African-language bulletins provided during the evening slots". 

The fact is the SABC canned all the bulletins in vernacular languages in this channel during the reporting period.

The SABC reports that when it conducted evacuation drills at its Auckland Park headquarters, "no injuries or fatalities were reported".

While the SABC says in its report that the tap water in buildings was tested monthly and found "algae and cholera free", it bisarrely pays Freshy Water to supply the SABC with "premium-quality drinking water".

Actress Michelle Botes left the SABC3 soap Isidingo in 2014 but the SABC still includes a publicity image of her character Cherel in its financial report with Barker Haines.

The SABC touts its SABC Beauty Salon, popular under "the production crew of Generations and Ashes to Ashes" (an e.tv drama).

The SABC got 1 001 direct complaints, mostly related to SABC TV licences and people angry over SABC scheduling.

The SABC did "noise, air and light surveys". It is addressing waste management and is addressing the removal of "hazardous chemicals, which for the SABC, is flourescent tubes which contain mercury vapor".

SABC's Hlaudi Motsoeneng's payday balloons to R4.19 million as struggling SABC posts yet another (and growing) loss of R411 million.

The SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng who now calls himself "an ordinary employee" has seen his astronomical salary balloon further to a massive R4.19 million, coming as the struggling broadcaster posted yet another loss of R411 million in the same week as top executives jetted off to the luxury Hilton Mauritius Resort and Spa.

The controversial SABC executive who the Public Protector found in her February 2014 report lied said he "should never have been appointed at the SABC" and who implicated him in several instances of maladministration and abuse of power, has now become the best-paid employee at the beleaguered SABC, increasing his salary from R3,78 million to a staggering R4.197 million during the 2015/2016 financial year.

The almost half a million increase comes after Hlaudi Motsoeneng's almost R1 million salary increase during the previous year, out-earning even president Jacob Zuma as the SABC continue to lurch from crisis to crisis, posing yet another and bigger loss and getting its 6th consecutive qualified audit for its annual financial results that paint a dire picture of the SABC’s finances and future.

Included in Hlaudi Motsoeneng's R4.19 million payday is a bonus of R213 000 – up from the previous year – as well as expenses and allowances of R945 000.

While Hlaudi Motsoeneng and acting CEO James Aguma keep saying "the SABC is sustainable", the SABC's cash balance plunged further and fell below the R1 billion threshold, now sitting at an alarming R881 million, as its losses increased from R395 million to R411 million by the end of March.

    2012/2013                    2013/2014                     2014/2015                     2015/2016

Net profit/loss:                  

R330 mil net profit        R358 mil net profit*       R395 million net loss     R411 mill net loss

Cash balance:                     

R1.07 billion                          R1.42 billion               R1.01 billion                          R881 million

Average TV share:             

       53%                                      48.6%                                53%                             48.8%

*Whether the SABC made this/a profit is doubtful since the Auditor-General (AG) issued a disclaimer, citing that the SABC during this period was particularly rife with financial mismanagement, inadequate financial controls and a lack of supporting documentation.

While the SABC spends million to gather SABC TV licence fees, the SABC's shocking financial report reveals that the South African public broadcaster keeps getting less money as collection fees "continue to decrease" with the majority of South Africans who simply don't bother or care to pay for a SABC TV licence.

The SABC more than doubled what it pays in consulting fees – now at a staggering R80 million – while material losses due to fruitless and wasteful expenditure increased from R58 million to R92 million. 

Lap of luxury in Mauritius

Meanwhile the SABC's failed to manage the optics with SABC executives Bessie Tugwana and Nomsa Philiso jetting off to Mauritius for a luxury conference in the same week as the SABC revealed its staggering R411 million loss.

On Tuesday last week, Hlaudi Motsoeneng who was just re-appointed as the SABC's head of corporate affairs was specifically asked at a press conference if he was still going to Mauritius.

Although he's no longer the SABC's chief operating officer (COO) – which is why he was invited to the NexTV CEO 2016 African TV Business leaders summit – Hlaudi Motsoeneng was adamant that he was definitely flying to Mauritius on Wednesday.

He was suddenly replaced by Bessie Tugwana and Nomsa Philiso on the Mauritius TV summit getaway with no explanation from the SABC.

It's not known how much the SABC is paying for the executives' island jaunt where South Africa's minister of communications Faith Muthambi is the keynote speaker on Africa's digitisation and future of TV in Africa.

The 5-star Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa with luxurious sea-facing rooms describes itself as "the perfect location to mix business and pleasure".

Mind your P's Q's as you enter M-Net's new game show, Spellbound, for kids and adults, starting 20 November and produced by Homebrew Films.

You don't need to be smarter than a 5th grader or want to be a millionaire - you just need to be able to spell in order to try and enter M-Net's new game show, Spellbound that will start on the pay-TV broadcaster from 20 November.

M-Net's latest game show comes in the form of a TV spelling test, similar to American schools' spelling bee's.

People who want to spell on television can now enter Spellbound here with entries that will close on 31 October.

Spellbound will be broadcast on M-Net (DStv 101) from Sunday 20 November at 17:00 and is produced by Homebrew Films.

"Spellbound is a wonderful local addition to our M-Net schedule," says Jan du Plessis, the director for M-Net channels.

"Spelling bees have become all the rage across the world and while contestants will be giving it a go on television, the entire family at home can test their own skills and brush up on their grammar. It's education wrapped in great fun."

Spellbound will test contestants' word skills in a fun and interactive way and will include spellers from different age groups.

There will be a round for primary school learners between the ages of 10 and 13, a round for high school learners between the ages of 14 and 18, and one for adults of all ages, as long as they're over 18 and are South African citizens or permanent residents. 

The learners must currently be attending school in South Africa and must have the permission of their parents or legal guardians to take part in the show.

SABC suddenly advertises for a new CEO in newspapers again - just 5 months after it said it will immediately stop advertising vacancies in newspapers.

The SABC is suddenly advertising for a new CEO, marking a U-turn just 5 months after the public broacaster declared that it won't advertise any SABC jobs externally anymore.

In May, Hlaudi Motsoeneng brazenly declared that the SABC "don't see a need to use print media".

The SABC is now looking to replace Frans Matlala who was recently fired with a golden handshake worth millions of rand after he was abruptly suspended in November 2015 after just four months in the job.

Frans Matlala was allegedly axed because he helped National Treasury with an investigation into the controversial SABC executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng's procurement of a multi-million rand studio that was constructed but was not put out to tender.

In the SABC's latest financial report for 2015/2016 released on Thursday the SABC only notes that Frans Matlala was suspended but refuses to provide a reason in its annual report for as to why.

On Sunday the SABC suddenly used newspapers again to advertise the "poisoned chalice" that's the SABC's top executive position.

The SABC has now had 11 CEOs – including those who were appointed in an acting capacity with James Aguma being the latest – since 2009.

In April James Aguma, Hlaudi Motsoeneng and SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago announced that the SABC is abruptly ending the practice of advertising SABC jobs externally in newspapers.

They said that the SABC had taken a decision to end external advertising for jobs and tenders in any print and other media and would only be using its own TV channels and radio stations, and also not make use of the services of any services of external media agencies anymore.

"The SABC decided that it will advertise its employment vacancies and tender advertisements on the SABC's television, radio and digital platforms only. This will be implemented with immediate effect," said Hlaudi Motsoeneng in April.

Kaizer Kganyago didn’t respond to media enquiry asking why the SABC is advertising employment vacancies in national newspapers again.

The CEO advert of the SABC has a closing date of 14 October for applications.

The famously matricless Kaizer Motsoeneng – who the Public Protector in her February 2014 found in a recorded interview admitted that he lied about about having a matric certificate and made up symbols for a certificate he didn’t have – wouldn't be able to apply.

The SABC is looking for candidates with post-graduate qualifications, preferably a MBA or Msc and who has "sound knowledge of the media industry".

At least 10 years of senior management experience is required as well as "best-in-practice corporate governance".