MultiChoice Namibia grows local content slate with further series, film and documentary commissions as Ombura-project enters second phase

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Namibia is growing its local content slate under the project's "Ombura-named umbrella with further new series, film and documentary commissions.

So far, 19 films, a lifestyle series and a documentary have been produced for DStv, GOtv and MultiChoice's streamer Showmax. 

In September 2024, MultiChoice Namibia also started and held its first MultiChoice Film Festival in Namibia to showcase new local content and to provide local filmmakers a place to meet, interact and have conversations.

The Ombura-project which is entering its second phase, is part of MultiChoice Namibia's effort to expand its slate of local content and Namibian stories.

The lifestyle coming series Op Pad Met My Potjie which was seen recently on kykNET (DStv 144) with presenter Joalette de Villiers travelling throughout Namibia, has been renewed for a second season.

Bora Box which will premiere on Channel O, is a new music request show showcasing Namibian music and artists.

Crossover Hearts is a new romantic film directed by MultiChoice Talent Factory alum Lucia Kim Hamunghete which follows a young couple from different cultures battling prejudices and family expectations.

Desert Film's The Long Road details the life of a struggling factory worker who has been abandoned by his pregnant wife and attempts to redeem himself, while Oppiplaas is a romantic drama about a city girl launching a social media business and who then reluctantly takes on a struggling farmer as a client.

The Afrikaans environmental magazine show Groen Namibië has been renewed for another season on kykNET.

Then there is also the feature film My F*k, Marelize, also produced by kykNET Films and inspired by a viral video from Namibia, which will be shown on kykNET.

Another documentary will also be produced.

"This year, we continue our commitment to hyperlocal storytelling with productions that reflect the culture, language, and realities of our audiences," says Rogert Gertze, MultiChoice Namibia managing director.

"Beyond storytelling, we are actively investing in the future of African film and television by training, funding, and supporting the next generation of local talent because when Africa tells its own stories, the world listens."

Esther Beukes, Namibian Film Commission chairperson, says "On behalf of the Namibia Film Commission, a huge thank you to MultiChoice Namibia, and this phenomenal team. Your investment in our industry isn't just about making TV, it's about making history."

ALSO READ: Inside MultiChoice's push to expand Namibia's kykNET content

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Namibia to host inaugural MultiChoice Film Festival 2024 with panel sessions and content screenings

Comic Con Africa 2025 in Johannesburg kicked to August due to other Nasrec event and renovations

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African organisers of this year's 2025 Comic Con in Johannesburg have been forced to move it from September to August due to the conference centre no longer being available and to "protect the interest of its fans and the event".

Comic Con Africa 2025 will no longer take place in September in Johannesburg but has now been pushed a month earlier with cosplayers who will don their finest from 28 to 31 August at the Johannesburg Expo Centre at Nasrec.

Comic Con Cape Town will still go ahead as planned from 1 to 4 May in the Mother City's Cape Town Convention Centre (CTICC).

The organisers now say the date and month change for the Johannesburg event is because of another event taking place at the venue in September. They are however unwilling to say what Red Hulk exactly kicked Com Comic Africa from September to August. 

South Africa is set to host the G20 summit in November and this specific convention centre happens to currently be busy with extensive renovations for whatever event is hiring the space during September and got Comic Con Africa 2025 kicked forward.

"This change is unavoidable due to a major international event taking place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre which will be announced in the media shortly," says Mogul Media who organises the South African Comic Cons. 

Carla Massmann, show director, says "Comic Con Africa's fans often plan months ahead of time to attend the con, and travel from all around South Africa to get there. Comic Con's incredible fans are the reason behind everything we do".

"We offer our sincerest apologies to them should this date change be an inconvenience.

"Our incredible fans have been the backbone of the festival since 2018. Whilst we are disappointed that we must change the dates of our 2025 festival, the Johannesburg Expo Centre is the perfect home for Comic Con Africa and so changing the venue was not an option."

"A festival of Comic Con Africa's complexity requires a large venue with multi-usage spaces that can accommodate all of the many aspects of the festival."

"And of course, when you have over 70 000 people in attendance, the size of the venue is of key importance. The Johannesburg Expo Centre has the capacity and the space we need to accommodate our high volume of fans."

"We are excited to see the results of the renovations, and we believe the upgrades will positively contribute to our fans’ experiences at Comic Con Africa in future editions.”

Comic Con Africa 2025 will still showcase and include gaming and eSports tournaments, cosplay, tabletop gaming, fandom merch, anime and manga, comics, trading card games, as well as film and series personalities, panel and Q&A sessions, screenings and interactive experiences.

Comic Con Africa 2026 is envisioned to again take place during September next year.

No April's Fool joke: Huawei SA launches the Mate XT that folds in three at astronomical R70 000

by Thinus Ferreira

At an eye-watering recommended retail price of R70 00, Huawei has launched its concertina-like Huawei Mate XT in South Africa that takes the "flip-phone" design rebirth another step further by folding in three.

The Huawei Mate XT priced at R69 999, or from cellular operators for roughly R3000 over 36 months and the Huawei Mate X6 priced at R45 000, or from cellular operators at roughly R1600 over 36 months, can now be bought in South Africa. 

The big question however is: Do you really need a phone that flips open like a Chinese paper fan?

Huawei SA touts the Huawei Mate XT as "the world's first tri-fold smartphone" that comes with a massive 10.2-inch tablet-sized display that can snap shut to still be "pocket-friendly". 

According to the maker, the dual-SIM Mate XT that comes in red or black, is "an inventive device that is set to redefine the way South Africans work, play and stay connected".

Huawei says the Mate XT has an "advanced precision hinge system". The device "achieves seamless synergy between the hinge and screen through meticulous mechanical calibration and extensive testing with micron-level digital twin models".

The phone that has a has a 5600mAh battery comes with "multidirectional folding" - which means the three parts can fold both inwards and outwards.

But why on earth three screens in what seems to be a new flip-phone arms race?

"The Huawei Mate XT offers three views in one experience," says Huawei. 

"In single screen mode, it excels at efficient information processing. In dual-screen mode, it's ideal for effortlessly browsing news and emails."

"The triple-screen mode is perfect for both entertainment and productivity, delivering an immersive user experience."

Chef Ruben Riffel to sauté and sail with visiting MSC Magnifica between Gqeberha and Cape Town

by Thinus Ferreira

Chef Ruben Riffel will whip up delectable cuisine aboard an MSC ship for a second time, when he boards the MSC Magnifica that is making her maiden call in Walvis Bay after anchoring in Gqeberha and Cape Town.

After Ruben Riffel boarded the MSC Poesia last February to create a curated menu for passengers between Gqeberha and Cape Town when that ship visited South African waters, MSC asked Ruben Riffel if he was interested in returning for the MSC Magnifica that is visiting South Africa and Namibia for the first time this month as part of the ship's 2025 world cruise.

In response to a media query, MSC South Africa tells me that its partnership with Ruben Riffel is similar to last year's project for the MSC Poesia's world cruise in 2024 when that ship visited locally.

"The iitinerary was very successful and his three-course authentic South African menu was very well received by the international guests onboard."

"When it came time to do a similar project for the same local leg of MSC Magnifica's world cruise 2025, naturally, for MSC Cruises he was a top consideration for this. That and the fact that his accolades speak for themselves as a notable local restauranteur and chef."

It is the first time ever that the MSC Magnifica will anchor in two South African ports and one in Namibia, with Ruben Riffel who will cook for passengers in the sailing between Gqeberha and Cape Town.

The ship will visit the ports of Gqeberha and Cape Town on 14 and 16 April before sailing to reach Walvis Bay in Namibia on 18 April.

The MSC Magnifica can carry 3 223 passengers in 1 259 cabins and has 11 bars and lounges, 5 gourmet restaurants, a spa, indoor and open-air pools, a "4D" cinema and a 1 200 seater theatre. The ship started her journey on 18 January and includes port calls in Florida, Chile, Australia, Senegal and Italy.

Ross Volk, MSC Cruises South Africa managing director, says "MSC Magnifica’s stops in Africa highlight MSC Cruises’ growing confidence in the region’s ability to accommodate and support its ships".

"Cruise passengers from around the world eagerly anticipate the opportunity to explore these sought-after destinations. With 3000 international visitors on board, MSC Magnifica will provide a significant boost to local tourism, bringing valuable economic benefits to communities through onshore spending."

He notes "It's also exciting to see increasing interest from local travellers in our international cruises".

Ruben Riffel says that he "enjoyed working with the MSC Cruises team tremendously last year" and that he "can't wait to work alongside the chefs on board and to treat the passengers to some local Cape flavours".

His menu this year will have a seafood starter with flavours of spice synonymous with Cape cuisine.

"Then we will have lamb and a beautiful gorgonzola polenta with a rich red wine just before ending with a South African favourite, malva pudding.”

MSC SA told me its still too early to comment on the current 2024/25 South African cruise season but will have more information about it soon. 

"The MSC Musica, which returned to the country for a second season with the first being in 2019, was very well received by the local market. For this season, the MSC Musica carried over 90 000 passengers out of Durban and Cape Town, with 65% of passengers being women."

According to MSC SA, MSC Musica completed a total of 32 sailings with a mix of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12-nights itinerarie with destinations that ranged from the Portuguese Island, Pomene, Port Louis, La Possession, Cape Town, Walvis and also included the "Flock to Sea" charter to Marion Islands.

SABC's weekend Afrikaans TV news bulletins on SABC2 abruptly disappears without warning over the first weekend of April 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

The Afrikaans TV news bulletins disappeared this past weekend from the SABC, without any prior warning or explanation, with no Afrikaans TV news bulletin on Saturday 5 April, nor Sunday 6 April, on SABC2 at 18:15, or any other SABC TV channel at any other time.

There was no warning before the weekend started from the SABC or to viewers that there won't be any Afrikaans TV news bulletins on Saturday or Sunday.

On the evening of Friday 4 April, SABC2 Afrikaans TV news reader Willem Pelser at the end of the SABC Nuus broadcast only said "enjoy the weekend". 

The previous Friday Willem Pelser at the end of that Friday's broadcast still said "we greet you until tomorrow evening", meaning Saturday.  

A year ago, the SABC removed the Afrikaans TV news bulletins from SABC2 and decided to place these on SABC3 during the week and in the late timeslot of 20:30, and on weekends on SABC2 at 18:15 - a move that was highly criticised by viewers.

The 5 and 6 April weekend marks the first weekend of the month, and April was also the start of the South African public broadcaster's new financial year.

On social media a SABC viewer like Beatrix on Saturday asked: "SABC2, Why is there no Afrikaans news tonight? I'm not paying my TV licence again!! #SABC2fail ".

It's as yet unclear whether the Afrikaans TV news bulletins SABC Nuus on SABC2 over a weekend have been cancelled permanently from April, whether it's absence is a once-off, or what the reason for its sudden and unexplained absence is. 

When the SABC provides an explanation, it will be added here.

UPDATE Tuesday 8 April 2025 12:15pm: The SABC has just issued a press statement:

"The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) wishes to address concerns arising from the non-broadcast of the Afrikaans television news bulletin this past weekend. We acknowledge that the bulletin did not air in its regular time slot on Saturday and Sunday, and we confirm that this was a scheduling error. This should not have happened."

"As management, we are treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves, and consequence management processes are currently underway to address the internal oversight that led to this unfortunate incident."

"We want to assure the public and our stakeholders that there is no plan or decision to discontinue or deprioritise Afrikaans news."

"The Afrikaans television news bulletin continues to air as scheduled from Monday to Friday, and the weekend bulletin will also continue in its regular time slot going forward."

"Afrikaans remains an important part of our public broadcasting mandate, just as all South African languages are. The SABC is committed to providing equitable access to news and information in all official languages."

"The SABC is actively working on a broader content and scheduling strategy aimed at strengthening our language offering, including Afrikaans. This process is part of our new financial year’s content strategy and will be communicated more fully in due course."

"We acknowledge the deep concern this weekend’s error has caused, particularly within Afrikaans-speaking communities. We extend our sincere and heartfelt apology to the South African public, and especially to those who felt aggrieved by this disruption."

"In closing, we reiterate: Afrikaans news has not been discontinued. Afrikaans News currently broadcasts at 20:30 Mondays - Fridays on S3. Weekend Afrikaans bulletins will continue in their current time slot, 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays on SABC 2. The SABC remains committed to all languages as part of its constitutional and public service mandate."

"We appreciate the continued engagement from the public, civil society organisations, and political parties, and we remain open to further dialogue in the spirit of transparency and inclusivity."

e.tv and eExtra shuffle primetime line-up as Kelders moves to Isiphetho's 18:30-timeslot from 7 April

by Thinus Ferreira

From Monday 7 April after the end of Isiphetho, e.tv is changing the channel's primetime line-up, as well as the programming line-up of eExtra, with the Afrikaans telenovela Kelders van Geheime moving to the plum timeslot of 18:30.

From this coming Monday the KFilms-produced Kelders van Geheime will move from 18:00 to 18:30, with its second season starting a month from now on Monday 5 May.

With the 18:30-gap left by Isiphetho, both the e.tv and eExtra line-ups are staggered half an hour later. Dubbed telenovela Annekan Die Swa Kry at 17:00 on e.tv and eExtra moves to 17:30, with Kelders van Geheime at 18:30.

On e.tv House of Zwide, produced by Bomb Productions and Videovision Entertainment, remains at 19:00, with Ochre Moving Pictures' Scandal! that remains at 19:00 and the e.tv News that remains at 20:00.

On eExtra (DStv 195 / Openview 105) the dubbed Gelukbringers moves from 18:30 to 19:00, Doodsondes moves from 19:30 to 20:00 and Op Dun Ys moves from 20:30 to 21:00.

The new e.tv primetime line-up will now look like this:

16:30 Gelukbringers (until now at 16:00)

17:35 Annekan Die Swa Kry (until now 17:00)

18:30 Kelders van Geheime

19:00 House of Zwide

19:30 Scandal!

20:00 e.tv News

20:30 The Kingdom - Ukhakayi

21:00 Smoke & Mirrors

21:30 Isitha: The Enemy

22:00 Gold Diggers

About the Kelders van Geheime timeslot change, Vuyelwa Booi, e.tv's head of local programming, says "We hope that this timeslot will be a better fit for lovers of Kelders as a lot of viewers have been asking for it a month after the show started airing in 2024".

"With Isiphetho coming to an end on Friday, 4 April it seems to be the best time for this change."

Helga Palmer, e.tv's head of content development and strategy, says "Kelders van Geheime is a hit with viewers and this timeslot change gives them a chance to settle in comfortably before the drama kicks off".

IN IMAGES. 25 Photos of National Geographic Africa's 2025 Autumn Upfront anchored to David Blaine Do Not Attempt

by Thinus Ferreira

The Walt Disney Company Africa held an upfront event for its National Geographic TV channels and upcoming new programming over the next few months, anchoring it around the new David Blaine: Do Not Attempt series that is starting on National Geographic (DStv 181) and Disney+ on Friday 28 March.

Held at Artistry Sandton in Johannesburg, Christine Service, senior vice president and general manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, took media, influencers and advertising sales partners through upcoming National Geographic programming on the National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD channels.

In the cinema, those who attended watched sizzle reels, after which the South African-filmed episode of David Blaine: Do Not Attempt was screened, followed by a Q&A session.

MultiChoice Ghana hikes DStv prices from April by over 15%, short notice period slammed by consumer group

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Ghana will hike prices by up to over 18% in the West African country from April 2025, with the latest DStv Ghana and GOtv Ghana price increases coming after two MultiChoice price increases in 2024.

In Ghana, MultiChoice is hiking DStv Premium 15.3% from GH₵750 to GH₵865, DStv Compact Plus by 15.1% from GH₵495 to GH₵570, hiking DStv Compact by 15.1% from GH₵330 to GH₵380, and increasing DStv Family by 15.1% from GH₵165 to GH₵190.

DStv Access is increased 16.4% from GH₵85 to GH₵99, while DStv Lite is increased 18% from GH₵50 to GH₵59.

The French Plus add-on is increased 14.9% from GH₵435 to GH₵500.

MultiChoice Africa, as well as MultiChoice South Africa have announced drastic price hikes across the continent in various countries from April, with some countries seeing price hikes of over 18% like MultiChoice Zambia, and over 22% by MultiChoice Nigeria as well as MultiChoice Malawi.

CUTS International in Ghana, a local consumer group, has slammed MultiChoice Ghana's sudden price increase announcement with less than a week before DStv subscribers in the country will have to pay more.

"This short notice period may not have given subscribers adequate time to review their options or make necessary adjustments," says Appiah Kusi Adomako, West African regional director of CUTS International. 

"Respect for consumers is fundamental in any market, particularly where services are paid for in advance and on a recurring basis. Providing timely and transparent communication around price changes is not only fair and reasonable but also helps to build trust and foster good customer relationships."

"In markets where competition is limited, there is a greater risk of practices that may be perceived as exploitative or unfair," Appiah Kusi Adomako says.

"Consumers should be given sufficient time to adjust to changes that affect their financial commitments."

1Gospel channel announces April 2025 Easter programming

by Thinus Ferreira

The 1Gospel (DStv 331) channel from Urban Brew Studios has announced its April 2025 Easter programming line-up that will include several gospel artists, a 2-part concert experience, as well as the channel's annual Easter special.

"At One Gospel, our Easter programming is thoughtfully curated to honour the depth of this sacred season and invite viewers into a journey of faith, hope, and restoration," says Yandiswa Nkonde, 1Gospel channel head.

"We encourage our audience to embrace the message of redemption and triumph that Easter represents."

This year's 1Gospel Easter line-up includes:

Worship throne: Easter edition

14 to 18 April 2025, 12pm

This special edition brings together celebrated gospel artists in a dynamic worship experience. Tune in for soul-stirring music that captures the themes of renewal, hope and resurrection, all wrapped in authentic and heartfelt praise.

Annual Easter special

18 April 2025, 11:00

A 2-hour Easter showcase hosted by Candice Modiselle and Khaya Mthethwa, featuring special guests from Spirit of Praise. Through powerful music and engaging conversations, this special reflects on the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and how his work continues to impact our lives today.

Fearless Lovers of Worship (FLOW): Live concert by The Jesus Collective

Part 1: 13 April | 21:30

Part 2: 20 April | 21:30

Join The Jesus Collective for an unforgettable two-part concert experience. Get to know the group behind the worship movement, hear their stories, and immerse yourself in four hours of passionate, live worship. These specials offer a deeply intimate encounter with music that celebrates faith, love, and purpose.