Khanyi & Co to take SABC to ‘next level’

Big announcement of household names joining production team pushing plan to increase local content on TV.

Fresh blood is flowing behind the scenes at the SABC - and the source is a group of producers, a significant portion of which are household names within the SA entertainment industry.

The big announcement of “production contracts, the unveiling of new talent and a content revamp on all SABC TV channels" sees the increase in local content taking centre stage.

In total, 60 producers have been brought into the fold, “23 of which came from existing companies - the other 36 are all new,” said Verona Duwarkah, Group Executive of television.

One after another, familiar faces stepped up to the MIC to share their feelings on joining the SABC as producers.

Former Generations star Winnie Ntshaba said: “We’re grateful to the SABC for welcoming us back home. You did say you fired us - which you did," she said, in reference to the axing of 16 of the soapie's principal cast members, in a dispute with producers.

"If we say so ourselves, we have great content, and we hope you will like it as well.”

Sophie Ndaba - also a former Generations actress - also thanked the COO and his team for welcoming her back, adding: “We never left, that’s the interesting thing.

Speaking for all the new producers, she said they were excited to take it “to the next level”.

We are now saying to the producers out there that we have arrived, we’ve formed our own production companies and we are doing ‘Operation Thatha Zonke SABC’.

Ndaba said she hopes they will produce content that’s “going to get South Africa excited”.

Somizi Mhlongo, taking on the persona of airline pilot, said: “Good morning ladies and gentleman, my name is Somizi Mhlongo. Welcome to Soth afercn (nearly said airways) br crp - and it’s gona to be a very smooth flight!” to which the audience laughed.

He said he was happy to be joiningg the SABC “family”, starting with radio... and “Ask no questions, you’ll hear no lies,” he said in a surprisingly brief statement.

Arthur Mafokate thanked fans for supporting the SABC, adding that he was happy to be returning to TV.

Pearl Modiadie, who mentioned that she was used to working behind the scenes, said she “answered the call” for young creatives to pitch to the SABC, promising to provide content that is “innovative” and that would “definitely build our nation”.

Singer and TV presenter Ntombi Ngcobo - part of the SA showbiz family headed by Ihashe Elimhlophe - sayingmarks the end of artists and entertainers in South Africa “suffering and not being able to live the lifestyles that we’re actually out there pretending to be living when we actually can’t even afford half of it”.

“This has changed our lives in a way that you can’t even imagine. Local is lekker - and the quality is going higher, there’s no going back. SABC has been my home since I was 13-years-old, so thank you very much.”

Khanyi Mbau said: “I represent what the SABC stands for today, which is: no matter what your past may be, or what your experiences could be, you’re still a person and the SABC still has space for you. “I represent those that have given up, and have thought that what they were in the past can stand in the way of where they are today.”

“I think people are aware that there’s a lot of transformation happening in this organisation. We want to continue that trend when it comes to television content,” SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.

“We have signed three contracts with him so that he doesn’t renew his contract with our opposition. I just want to clarify that.”

“I think people are aware that there’s a lot of transformation happening in this organisation. We want to continue that trend when it comes to television content,” SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.

And regarding Mhlongo’s move, Hlaudi added: “We have signed three contracts with him so that he doesn’t renew his contract with our opposition. I just want to clarify that.”

COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng made it abundantly clear that it’s his way or the highway for those working within the SABC.

“The team that I work with, they should walk like me and talk like me - that is what I am expecting from them. That is how I run the organisation, because we need to sing one song at the SABC, and that song should be sung by everybody within the organisation. And we’re not apologetic about it.”

The question that is left is, “How are they going to give us quality content? That is the challenge,” he declared.

“I’m happy, Sophie and Winnie, that you are back at home. We are calling others to come and work for SABC!”

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