Ster-Kinekor shutters Cavendish Square, Gateway and Bedford Square cinemas

by Thinus Ferreira

Ster-Kinekor is down a further three cinema complexes in 2025 and has shuttered its operations in the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban, its cinema complex in Bedford Square in Johannesburg, and is also shutting down its Cavendish Square operations in Cape Town on 2 June.

Last year, Ster-Kinekor, owned by the British-based Blantyre Capital and Greenpoint Capital after exiting business rescue in November 2022, started a retrenchment process but ended up closing far fewer cinema complexes than what it initially said it would.

After Ster-Kinekor initially announced that it would be shutting down 9 cinemas across South Africa, Ster-Kinekor CEO Mark Sardi said that Ster-Kinekor ended up closing only two in 2024 - the Boardwalk in Richards Bay and the Ster-Kinekor complex in the Greenstone Mall in Edenvale.

It's unclear why Ster-Kinekor suddenly decided to close its cinemas in the Gateway Mall in Umhlanga, Bedford Square in Bedfordview, and within a week also in Cavendish Square in Claremont in Cape Town.

In a statement, Ster-Kinekor says "we will be concluding operations at the Cavendish Square cinema complex in Cape Town, with the final day of trading set for 12 June".

"This change comes as a result of the lease not being renewed.  While this chapter closes, we're firmly focused on the future and are actively investing in our current cinema complexes to ensure that every visit to watch a movie at one of our Ster-Kinekor theatres delivers a truly exceptional movie-going experience, every time."

"We're excited to confirm that we are in the advanced stages of preparing to open cinemas at four commercially attractive sites across the country, and have plans in place for multiple upgrades to some of our current sites."

"We will also be launching new Kids' Cinemas and our luxurious Cine Prestige offerings at key sites within the next few months."

Ster-Kinekor shuttered both its Gateway and Bedford Square cinemas at the beginning of May 2025. 

Ster-Kinekor rival Nu Metro will take over operations of the Gateway cinema complex.

Ster-Kinekor was asked for comment on these two closures and it will be added here when received.

SABC advertising boss Cindy Diamond quits

by Thinus Ferreira

The SABC's advertising boss Cindy Diamond has resigned, leaving the struggling South African public broadcaster having to search for someone new to head up its sales division.

The SABC says Cindy Diamond is leaving the broadcaster "to pursue new career opportunities". She will help the broadcaster through what the SABC calls "a structured transition period, working closely with the leadership team to ensure continuity in key projects".

The broadcaster says it will start the search for a replacement sales executive "in the coming months".

Cindy Diamond joined the SABC in 2022 and was appointed as the group exec in charge of sales from September 2023.

"We are grateful for her dedication and the valuable impact she has made," the SABC says. "We extend our best wishes to Cindy as she embarks on the next phase of her career and thank her for her commitment to a smooth transition."

After he was acting in the position as acting chief operating officer, Lungile Binza has been appointed since March this year as the SABC's permanent COO.

The SABC's search and appointment of a new permanent chief financial officer is however still underway after Yolande van Biljon quit last year in November.

Since November 2024 Tendai Matore has been the SABC's acting finance boss.

Nomsa Chabeli, SABC CEO, says the process to appoint a new SABC CFO should hopefully be done by the end of June 2025. 

According to Nomsa Chabeli, due to the reputational and financial situation of the public broadcaster which remains technically insolvent, it is difficult for the SABC to attract top executives for its top executive positions.

HBO Harry Potter series cast Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout as Harry, Hermione and Ron

by Thinus Ferreira

HBO's upcoming Harry Potter drama series that will very likely be seen on MultiChoice's M-Net (DStv 101) has cast its main Muggles who will portray Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout who will portray the three main characters.

More than 32 000 actors auditioned for these three lead roles. Filming of the new series in the United Kingdom at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is set to start within months.

"After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione and Ron," showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer and director Mark Mylod say in a statement.

'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen."

"We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there."

The three actors join John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.

HBO's Harry Potter drama series which is envisioned to run for a decade, is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, who also serves as showrunner. 

Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. 

The series is executive produced by author J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.

South African actor Presley Chweneyagae dead at 40

Thinus Ferreira

The award-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae has died. He was 40.

Presley Chweneyagae's cause of death isn't yet known.

In a statement, his management says "It is with profound sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of one of South Africa's most gifted and beloved actors, Presley Chweneyagae, at the age of 40."

"Presley was a longtime and cherished member of the MLA family - more than a client, he was a friend, a mentor to many, a beacon of creativity and perseverance."

"His passion for empowering the next generation of artists will remain an integral part of his legacy. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, extended family, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him. While we grieve the immense loss of a remarkable talent, we celebrate the light he brought to the world."

Across a three-decade performing arts career, Presley Chweneyagae rose to fame after his role in the Oscar-winning South African film Tsotsi at the 78th Academy Awards in 2006 in the Best Foreign Film category.

This was also the role which earned him his first Golden Horn trophy at the first South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in 2006.

Before that, he was on stage doing plays and community theatre, and started at the age of 10, attending drama classes at the North West Arts Council, which is now known as the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation.

Stage roles in Shakespeare plays included Hamlet in Hamlet, Mark Anthony in Julius Caesar, Bottom and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and appearances in Electra as well as Dikeledi.

Presley Chweneyagae, who was born on 19 October 1984 in Mahikeng, is also known for his role as Thuso "Cobra" Mokoena in M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) telenovela The River, a role he reprised in a spin-off series Cobrizi centred around his character.

For this role, he won a Golden Horn in 2019, and again won in the Best Actor category at the SAFTAs in 2024 for portraying the same character.

Presley Chweneyagae's first TV role was in Orlando on the SABC in 2000, and he also had roles in the 2006 miniseries When We Were Black as Poet, the SABC2 drama series 90 Plein Street and SABC3's drama series Thula's Vine as detective Moloko.

Presley Chweneyagae also appeared in Mzansi Magic's iNumber Number in 2017, a drama series spin-off from the 2013 film, and was the character of Shoes in both.

He also co-wrote the critically acclaimed play Relativity, later published by STE Publishers, and directed the award-winning production CELL NO 4.

In a statement, MultiChoice says "It is with deep sadness that we at DStv extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Presley Chweneyagae, an actor of immense talent, heart, and a beloved member of Mzansi's entertainment family.

Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO of general entertainment, says "Presley - or Mokwepa, as he grew to be known - was a generational talent whose work helped shape Mzansi television".

"His characters felt like family. He was every mother's son, every girl's funny lover, and everyone's best friend."

"Through characters like Cobra on The River, and most recently on Mzansi Magic's Cobrizi, he didn't just entertain - he made us laugh, made us care, and helped us understand the people behind the stories. His work brought heart and humanity to every role."

"His legacy lives on in the stories he helped bring to life. He was part of some of DStv's most loved productions, and his performances will continue to resonate. We will miss him dearly."

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him - including his second family at Tshedza Pictures - during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Mokwepa, Rest in peace our beloved Cobrizi…Your legacy will forever live on."

South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) said "it joins the nation and global film community in mourning the untimely passing of Presley Chweneyagae" that it calls "a trailblazing actor whose talent, depth, and dedication elevated South African storytelling to global acclaim".

Dr Vince Blennies, NFVF CEO, says "Presley Chweneyagae accolades are a testament to his lasting impact on the South African entertainment industry".

"Beyond the screen, he was a committed mentor and advocate for youth development in the arts - a legacy that will continue to inspire generations. Presley was a national treasure that loved his craft."

"His passing at the age of 40 is an immense loss to the South African film and television industry. The NFVF extends heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, family, and all those who were touched by his spirit and brilliance."

Darren Scott dead at 61 after losing battle against stage four malignant skin cancer

by Thinus Ferreira

Darren Scott has died after losing his battle against stage four malignant skin cancer. He was 61.

The radio DJ was undergoing immunotherapy and made his last on-screen TV appearance last month on kykNET (DStv 144), He leaves behind his ex-wife Sarah-Kate Accetta and his sons who are living in the United States.

"It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of a Hot 102.7 radio legend. Earlier today, Darren Scott lost his battle to cancer," the radio station says in a statement.

"The last few months have been difficult for Darren with numerous hospital stays."

"Darren will be remembered for radio, wit, creativity and charitable work. He will be missed by all of us at Hot 102.7 and listeners across the country. Our condolences go out to Darren's boys Mark and Matthew, and the rest of the family."

Sarah-Kate Accetta says "There are no words to truly express the depth of my gratitude to every single person who donated, prayed and stood besides him during the fight of his life."

"Your generosity through the Back-a-Buddy campaign didn't just fund treatment; it gave Darren hope. It gave him dignity, and it gave him the profound gift of feeling so loved," she said about the campaign she had started last year to help raise funds for his cancer treatment.

This campaign managed to raise R515 350 for Darren Scott's medical cancer treatment bills.

Darren Scott who had presented on Capital Radio, Radio Bop, 702, M-Net, SuperSport, 5FM, East Coast Radio, Jacaranda 94.2 and Hot 91.9FM where he was heard until his death today - didn't have medical aid cover when he came back to South Africa last year two years after he had emigrated.

"I watched him, day after day, scroll through your messages in disbelief, humbled, overwhelmed, moved to tears. He couldn't believe that so many people cared. Thank you for giving him that in his final months."

Darren Scott was first diagnosed in 1986 with melanoma that he blamed on the sun.

"The last one was inside my aorta, heart," he said.

"The doctor got it out. I've never had chemo, never had radiation and just carried on with my life. I've never let it sit on my mind, never let it weigh on me - just carried on with life."

About his last cancer battle, Darren Scott said "When this one happened, I was in the USA".

"I went overseas and three months into my trip there, there was a lump under my right arm and I knew immediately in 2023 I wasn't clear. I found a lump which was a secondary to that one on my back."

ALSO READ:  Darren Scott says cancer battle 'is rough' as he continues to do radio to pay medical bills 

SABC cancels Muvhango after 28 years, CEO Nomsa Chabeli says replacement telenovela Pimville will hopefully be successful to bring SABC2 viewers back

by Thinus Ferreira

After 28 years the SABC has finally cancelled Muvhango with the long-running Venda weeknight soap from Word of Mouth Pictures, which will be replaced by a new telenovela called Pimville produced by Bakwena Productions.

SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli says "For SABC2 we're introducing a new telenovela starting in August, which is going to be replacing the existing Muvhango".

"We are certain that, based on the storyline and where we are in the scriptwriting room, this should also be successful from a launch perspective."

The SABC has failed to reach its own content output targets for SABC2 for the second, third and fourth quarters, as well as annually for the previous financial year.

Nomsa Chabeli says SABC2's audience share during primetime is down and she says it's because of the SABC's massive repeats and rebroadcasts of content.

"Because we don't have fresh, new content, we have to repeat existing content. We have that lack of fresh, local properties that are a key driver of South African audiences."

"Come August, we are launching a new telenovela called Pimville on SABC2, and based on that we will be really driving that audience share back to SABC2. We're working hard to ensure that the script is relevant for the audiences and that the storyline is going to be effectively doing what we need it to do," Nomsa Chabeli says.

A "final farewell" is now planned for Muvhango which made its debut on the SABC in April 1997.

Last year the SABC effectively also cancelled Muvhango when the cash-strapped South African public broadcaster had the contract for a shortened half-season of just 130 episodes from Word of Mouth Pictures run out.

While SABC2 was forced into on-screen repeats of archive episodes, the SABC and Word of Mouth Pictures then negotiated for another single but full-season order of 260 episodes of Muvhango.

That led to the cancelled Muvhango being revived for another season but done cheaper and with cosmetic changes like newand cast additions and other changes, including adding Xitsonga-speaking actors, and a belatedly introduced new opening title sequence.

None of this helped as the returned, cheaper and retooled Muvhango was a ratings dud after its announced starting date was amateurishly pushed out. It does however remain as SABC2's most-watched show with around 900 000 viewers. 

This 900 000 viewers are however very far off from the over 4 million viewers per episode Muvhango used to get on SABC2 years ago.

Muvhango fell in 2024 from a high of 1.6 million viewers to under 923 000 by the end of last year. 

When it returned in August 2024, Muvhango only kept bleeding viewers, sliding from 1.32 million in July to just 1.084 million later in August when it returned for a new season, and continuing its viewer erosion to under a million viewers nightly in the months after that.

Lala Tuku, the SABC's head of video entertainment, last year said the SABC had reservations and "challenges" around its decision to bring back Muvhango.

Lala Tuku said shows like Muvhango need to perform ratings-wise to bring in advertising revenue or risk being replaced, which is what happened with SABC2's cancelled 7de Laan.

A few months after Muvhango was back on air with new episodes on SABC2, Word of Mouth Pictures once again had to shut down production over non-payment to writers, cast and crew - something that had afflicted Muvhango numerous times over the past two decades .

Muvhango background actors are also demanding payment they haven't received yet from Nonkululeko Ndlovu's  Turning Heads Casting Agency.

Nonkululeko Ndlovu is the daughter of the troubled Duma Ndlovu who created Muvhango.

Duma Ndlovu has been charged with tax evasion totalling R25 million and he appeared in court in October 2024.

Pimville, also known as Pimville Queens is produced for the SABC by Bakwena Productions, notorious for payment problems to cast and crew of Paramount Africa's Pound 4 Pound drama series that was on BET (DStv 129).

It's not clear why the South African public broadcaster decided to get into business with Bakwena Productions of Kagiso Modupe, Rashaka "Rush" Moufhe and Brenda Mukwevho, when the SABC has been aware of the production company's payment issues with service providers, as well as actors and crews who have demanded payment.

ALSO READ: 'Final farewell' planned for SABC2's cancelled Muvhango after failed one-year reprieve

ALSO READ: SABC2's Muvhango forced to stop production again after writers, cast and crew again go unpaid by Word of Mouth Pictures

ALSO READ: Rhythm World Productions tells unpaid Umkhokha cast and crew it has 'cash flow' problems as MultiChoice vows stronger checks on growing trend of payment-skipping producers

ALSO READ: Legal action starts against producer Kagiso Modupe after he fails to pay crew and cast of BET Africa's Pound 4 Pound: 'Poor show of morals'

Hand-clasping Aldrin Sampear back on Newzroom Afrika after road rage altercation: 'I'm really, really, really sorry'

by Thinus Ferreira

Following a road rage incident in April that saw him get removed from Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405) while the South African TV news channel did an investigation, Aldrin Sampear on Monday returned to Newzroom Afrika and its AM Report strand, saying he's "really, really, really sorry".

Newzroom Afrika didn't release the findings of its investigation into Aldrin Sampear's road rage altercation.

The belligerent Aldrin Sampear was caught on video camera footage on 17 April in Randburg, Johannesburg, with the video footage of his road rage interaction with a 20-year-old Laricia Augusto which was widely shared on social media.

Laricia Augusto laid charges of assault against Aldrin Sampear, with Randburg police investigating the incident.

Five years ago, Aldrin Sampear admitted that he had assaulted women before when he was provoked.

"On 17 April I was involved in a traffic incident which resulted in a confrontation between myself as well as another driver," Aldrin Sampear told DStv subscribers on Monday morning.

"Having made time to reflect on these events, I want to take full responsibility for my actions. Although I did not assault the other driver, I believe that I should have been more composed and found a way to deescalate the situation and I fell short of the standards I hold myself to," Aldrin Sampear said while clasping his hands.

"For that I want to express my regret and sincere apologies to our viewers, my colleagues here at Newzroom Afrika and the management."

"I've worked really hard to make sense of this experience, and of course, my response, and I hope that through my actions from now on, to rebuild the trust and confidence placed in me as I continue on this journey."

"And to the babies out there as well, I want to say 'Uncle Aldrin is really, really, really sorry'. I'm really sorry. And I hope that you'll be able to forgive me," he said.

ALSO READ: Newzroom Afrika removes Aldrin Sampear after alleged road rage assault

2nd Khuma Film Festival to promote North West province film biz, will honour Moditle 'Boikie' Pholo and open with Sew the Winter into My Skin

by Thinus Ferreira

The Khuma Film Festival of South Africa's North West province will take place for a second time from 28 to 30 May in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district municipality, as it tries to establish a film industry in the province and grow a film appreciation community.

Actor, director and producer Neo Ntlatleng is the Khuma Film Festival director.

Naomi Mokhele, Khuma Film Festival founder, says "We have curated brilliant films that will not only resonate with our audiences, but will also inspire young people to tell their own stories in a unique way".

"As the festival aims to establish a film industry in the area and create a film appreciative community, we hope that the foundation we have built, will ultimately result in reaching these goals."

The 2nd Khuma Film Festival will take place at the Phillemon Masinga Sports Complex Hall and honour the 5-decades of work of actor Moditle "Boikie" Pholo.

According to Naomi Mokhele, the 2nd Khuma Film Festival will include film screenings, workshops and discussions that bring together film enthusiasts and industry professionals. 

"We have curated brilliant films that will not only resonate with our audiences, but will also inspire young people to tell their own stories in a unique way."

The 2nd Khuma Film Festival will open with a premiere of the 2018 film Sew The Winter into My Skin, with a story in South Africa's rural Great-Karoo region in the 1950s.

Written and directed by filmmaker Jahmil X.T. Qubeka and starring Ezra Mabengeza, Peter Kurth and Kandyse McClure, the film tells a true story of John Kepe (Ezra Mabengeza) whose journey as an outlaw explores the inherent desire and need in humanity to seek out heroes.

The film festival will wrap with a screening of the late Menzi Ngubane documentary, The Life and Times of Menzi Ngubane.

Creative talent attending include Vincent Moloi, Neo Ntlatleng, Robert Mpisi, Israel Matseke-Zulu, Thembile Botman and Didintle Khonou.

The Khuma Film Festival is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme.

MultiChoice Zimbabwe increasing DStv fees from June 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Zimbabwe is increasing monthly DStv subscription fees from 1 June 2025, although the price of DStv Premium will remain unchanged at $75.

From June DStv Compact Plus is increasing from $45 to $46, DStv Compact is increasing from $30 to $32, and DStv Family is getting an increase from $20 to $21.

The DStv Access package is increased from $15 to $16.

The monthly fees for DStv Lite at $9, the Indian add-on package for DStv Premium at $39, the Indian add-on package for $25, the Portuguese add-on package at $45, and the HD PVR service fee of $13 all remain unchanged.