Johannesburg, Monday 24 May 2021 –The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) News & Current Affairs division launches the #COVERUP campaign today. This campaign comes amid the rise in COVID-19 infections and increasing fears of the third wave of the pandemic. It also coincides with the country’s second phase of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout programme.
The campaign’s primary objective is to create awareness and encourage citizens to continue adhering to non-pharmaceutical preventive measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The SABC’s Editor-in-Chief, Phathiswa Magopeni, says “the recent increase in coronavirus infections is a concern not only to the citizens, but to all journalists in the country who have to face the invisible danger and continue to cover stories of various communities, putting their own lives at risk while delivering an essential service to the public. The concerns about the third wave are real, and as SABC News we deem it necessary to play our role in line with our mandate, by providing public education and the right information to promote responsible behaviour to contain the spread of COVID-19”.
In the next three weeks, SABC News will intensify its efforts through this campaign to promote the wearing of masks, hand sanitising and maintenance of good hygiene in all essential spaces. The #COVERUP campaign will be carried on SABC News and Current Affairs programming on radio, television and digital platforms. It will run in all 13 of SABC News’ broadcast languages.
During the campaign, citizens will be invited to participate by sharing their own stories about what they are doing to stay safe. The SABC’s newsroom staff across the country will also share their own experiences and awareness messages. The #COVERUP campaign’s message is simple – Wear a mask. Sanitise. Practice physical distancing. Ensure proper ventilation in enclosed spaces. Observing lockdown regulations.
Below are some of the anchor messages that will be featured during the campaign:
#COVERUP! STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
#COVERUP! STOP THE 3RD WAVE
#COVERUP! STAY SAFE
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOURSELF
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOUR COLLEAGUE
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOUR NEIGHBOUR
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY
END
Issued By: Group Communications
Media Enquiries: Ms. Gugu Ntuli (GE: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)
NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0513
21 MAY 2021
SABC2 is pleased to partner with Rebelintown Productions, in a new, first of its kind, reality series, The Coolest OG’s, which will give 12 senior citizens a chance to compete for a R100 000 cash prize and the title of The Coolest OG.
The Coolest OG’s starts on Sunday 6th June 2021 at 18:30. An OG is someone who is incredibly exceptional, authentic and excellent in a classic way. Someone who is an expert in many facets of life and someone who has been around for a long time.
Featuring contestants from all walks of life, the series was shot across the country over 50 days and 50 nights, during the height of the global pandemic as the show captured the lives of 12 senior citizen from the ages of 60 to 80, confined in the safety of their own homes and exposed to fun and unusual challenges, ultimately on a quest to find THE COOLEST OG of them all.
In true reality format, the episodes are not scripted and the opinions expressed are not edited. The OG’s are authentic. They are real. It is their lives. They are simply the coolest OG’s.
The Coolest OG’s is a uniquely produced reality voice over driven series, whereby the contestants will be judged by a panel of 4, 20-year-old experts, comprising of Zipho Sithebe, a fashion expert and a student pilot, Sbu Makamedi a performance expert who is a SAFTA Golden Horn winner who also won best actor at the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, Adon Domeyer a passionate international music producer and engineer working with artists across the globe and Allison Greenlees a food expert who has been running a successful catering business since the age of 16.
“Our elders have so much to teach the youth and this show gives 12 of them a chance to share their story with the world. The series in not only informative and insightful but great fun for the viewers. Shot during the middle of the global pandemic, these OG’s got to escape the harsh reality for a few weeks while shooting the season” says show director Bheki Ncube. “South Africa is going to fall in love with these very special OG’s and what they have to offer’.
In every episode one contestant is eliminated based on their performance and swag and the judges all have to agree on who will leave the show.
Our contestants will go through various challenges ranging from modelling, song writing, music videos, cooking, gaming, art, acting and other cool challenges, in each episode. Each contestant will be sent a package containing a phone on which they will receive instructions for their weekly challenges. Each of their lounges are transformed into mini studios so they can compete from the comfort and safety of their own homes, sometimes with the help of a family member or an influencer. They have never met each other and have no idea how each other have performed in the various challenges.
For more information, interview opportunities and publicity images please contact the SABC2 PR office or Tutone Communications.
More reality for you, every Sunday at 18:30 only on SABC2.
For media enquiries:
Caroline Phalakatshela
Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment
072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za
Melanie Ramjee
Managing Director – Tutone Communications
+2784 682 3457 / +2782 682 3457
melanie@tutonecommunications.com
Johannesburg – Wednesday, 12 May 2021 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) would like to alert the public of a scrolling message which is appearing on all SABC television channels (SABC 1, 2 and S3), broadcast through analogue TV transmitters.
The main purpose of this message is to alert the public about the impending analogue switch off and the need to change to alternative digital technologies for television viewing. This is in keeping with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), wherein he stated that all analogue transmissions will be switched off by April 2022.
This message will only appear on analogue television platforms and not on any of our digital platforms (i.e. DTT, DTH, DSTV, OVHD and OTT platforms).
The scrolling message reads as follows:
“Important notice: If you see this message go to your nearest Post Office to register for a free government subsidised decoder or call 0860 736 832 to continue receiving a television broadcast”
The SABC will endeavour to keep the public informed as and when new developments occur.
END
Issued By: Group Communications
Media Enquiries: Ms. Mmoni Seapolelo SABC Spokesperson (Acting)
seapolelomv@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3057|C. 073 688 1590
SABC2 is pleased to have secured the rights to broadcast a thrilling documentary The 2000’s, which debuts on Sunday the 23rd May 2021 at 21:00.
Produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog, this 7-part documentary chronicles pivotal events that took place throughout the first decade of the 21st century in American history.
The documentary will take the viewers inside the dramatic events during the devastating terror attacks of September 11th in 2001, the events that resulted with the United States launching two wars and adopting unprecedented security measures and The Hurricane Katrina that hit the Gulf Coast in 2005 which became the most destructive natural disaster in the nation’s history.
The 2000’s is also a decade that saw the election of America’s very first black president into office when Barrack Obama won the elections and moved to the White House in 2009.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE DOCUMENTARY, THE 2000’S
Episode 1 – 23rd May 2021
(Television’s Golden Age)
With Sex and the City and The Sopranos developing into cultural touchstones, HBO continued its programming dominance by adding Six Feet Under, The Wire, Deadwood, True Blood and Curb Your Enthusiasm to its line-up.
Episode 2 – 30th May 2021
(Music)
The decade that saw the death of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, also saw pop reign supreme. With prolific producers like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams stepping out from behind the console and onto the stage, the
2000s were dominated by hip-hop and pop music.
Episode 3 – 6th June 2021
(Mission Accomplished)
Although Vice-President Al Gore wrapped up the 2000 Democratic nomination with relative ease, it took a bruising primary battle in South Carolina against Sen. John McCain for Gov. George W. Bush to secure the Republican nomination.
Episode 4 – 13th June 2021
(You’re Doing a Heckuva Job)
Despite President Bush’s claim of mission accomplished and the eventual capture of Saddam Hussein, the war in Iraq was proving militarily difficult and politically divisive. ‘The Insurgency’ was taking hundreds of American and Iraqi lives every month.
Episode 5 – Sunday 20th June 2021
(2008 Election Through 2010)
2008 saw the meteoric rise of two very different but very consequential political stars, the junior senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, and the first-term governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin.
Episode 6 – 27th June 2021
(Boom and Bust)
This episode examines the various financial and political causes and explores the too-big-to-ignore personal consequences and cost what evolved into a genuine economic crisis.
Episode 7 – 4th July 2021
(The Next Big Thing)
As technology continued to shrink the globe throughout the 2000s, it seemed to broaden personal landscapes. From now on, no fact or figure, song or movie was beyond our reach; anytime,
anywhere. The common human horizon was becoming the width of the closest available screen.
For more information and publicity images please contact the SABC2 PR office.
Make room for more documentaries, every Sunday at 20:30 only on SABC2.
For media enquiries:
Caroline Phalakatshela
Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment
072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za
SABC2 welcomes Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho as the new presenter of our investigative, current affairs show Leihlo La Sechaba.
Produced by SABC News, Leihlo La Sechaba means an eye of the nation and has been successful in tackling issues related to community development, politics, economics as well as topics of interest for all South Africans.
Lethabo is a media personality, businesswoman and philanthropist who was born in the township streets of Seshego, in Limpopo. She started her career on radio in 2006 and continues to make strides and incredible career moves in the media industry and beyond. She has 13 solid years of experience in radio as an on-air personality, with ample experience in producing, hosting, managing programmes and a role as deputy news editor. She has worked for Jacaranda FM, Capricorn FM as well as Thobela FM.
Lethabo has also hosted a TV show “Talk To Me”, a show aimed at tapping into the lives of ordinary South Africans and public figures getting to know their stories and exploring various ideologies.
In 2019 she joined the television series The Real Housewives of Johannesburg and has previously appeared in the SABC1 soapie Skeem Saam.
Viewers can look forward to the following stories in the upcoming episodes: –
Monday, 10th May 2021
An exclusive interview with Lesedi FM Presenter Dimakatso Ratselane who was stabbed by her husband and left for dead.
Monday, 17th May 2021
After the rot we exposed at the Mogalakwena municipality 2020, the National parliament called for action to be taken. The municipality is currently under administration. We are going back to once again show the plight of the residents because not much has changed.
Monday, 24th May 2021
A mother blames the Department of Education for allowing her normal child to be taken to a special school because her teacher said she is a slow learner. The mother recently took her child for assessment and results show that the child is normal and should not have been taken to the special school.
Monday, 31st May 2021
Service delivery at Mopani Municipality as we approach the Municipal Elections. We will visit the affected villages to witness their struggles. We will also talk to whistleblowers that provided us with documents to support their allegations. DA also released a media statement about the issue, we will also include them in the story. We involve the service providers and give them right of reply. Mopani district Municipality and Lepelle Northern Water will also be given an opportunity to give their side of the story.
For more information, interview opportunities and publicity images please contact the SABC2 PR office.
More current affairs for you, every Monday at 20:30 only on SABC2.
For media enquiries:
Caroline Phalakatshela
Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment
072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za
The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) television channel, S3 is proud to announce a partnership with Global Citizen which will see the channel broadcast an hour-long Global Citizen concert on Sunday, 9 May 2021, at 21h30. This Global Broadcast special celebrates Heroic Health Workers Worldwide, inspiring Action for Equitable COVID19 Vaccine distribution to everyone everywhere.
Hosted by multi-platinum recording artist, actress and producer, Selena Gomez, and musical headliners, Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, J Balvin, and H.E.R. Joined by Nomzamo Mbatha, Ben Affleck, Chrissy Teigen, David Letterman, Gayle King, Jimmy Kimmel, Olivia Munn, & Sean Penn. Taped before an audience of vaccinated frontline healthcare & essential workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
SABC and S3 would also like to congratulate, the South African internationally renowned actress Nomzamo Mbatha in her role as the spokesperson for the Global Citizen, the world’s largest movement of action-takers and impact-makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty by 2030, the movement which is supported by the President of the Republic of South Africa, the honorable Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.
S3 has consistently partnered with the Global Citizen organization since the Covid19 pandemic spread across the globe. “S3 knows that part of the solution to the crisis is information and global action and thus the partnership with a global brand. “The principles that S3 shares with the Global Citizen is a need to encourage action to ensure equitable access to needed vaccines despite what country one lives in or one’s bank balance. We need, as citizens, to think of ourselves as global citizens and put pressure on world leaders in all fields to do their part in ensuring access to vaccinations for all and particularly immediately for all frontline workers whether they are in wealthier countries or in the poorest nations. We also value the entertainment lineup and the information about the vaccine within the hour broadcast from Global Citizen.” Pat van Heerden Head of Channel, S3.
Chebet Chikumbu, Africa Director, Global Citizen, said; “We are thrilled to be teaming up with S3 to air the one hour global special, Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World. As the first live event since the pandemic, we’re delighted that South Africa’s very own Nomzamo Mbatha features as part of the international line-up, that aims to inspire vaccine confidence worldwide and help get the COVID-19 vaccines to everyone, everyone.”
Our viewers can look forward to special appearances by Campaign Chair Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, special messages from His Holiness Pope Francis, President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr Biden, and joined by award winning actor Ben Affleck, model Chrissy Teigen, American Television hosts David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel, TV Personality Gayle King, actress Olivia Munn and Sean Penn.
About S3
SABC 3 is transitioning to S3 – a revamped channel servicing the independent thinker and the progressive South African millennial. We want our viewers to open up to new lands, new content, new ideas and new ways of being. Through this new positioning, S3 invites viewers to take in all the new programming that is on offer; to open up to a dialogue with your public broadcasting channel. Ultimately, our vision is to foster the spirit of curiosity and spearhead a generation of free thinkers. S3 is opening itself up to new viewers. These viewers, who fall under the millennial umbrella, are more socially conscious and environmentally aware than their predecessors. They are progressive and open-minded and S3 will champion their frame of mind.
About Global Citizen
Global Citizen is the world’s largest movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty by 2030. With over 10 million monthly advocates, our voices have the power to drive lasting change around sustainability, equality, and humanity. We post, tweet, message, vote, sign, and call to inspire those who can make things happen to act — government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens — together improving lives. By downloading our app, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards with tickets to concerts, events, and experiences all over the world. To date, the actions of our community, along with high-level advocacy efforts and work with partners, have resulted in commitments and policy announcements from leaders valued at $48.4 billion, affecting the lives of more than 880 million people. During last year’s Global Citizen hosted campaigns, One World: Together at Home and Global Goal: Unite for Our Future, we mobilized over $1.5 billion in cash grants, with over $1.1 billion being already disbursed. For more information, visit GlobalCitizen.org.
Don’t miss the Global Citizen concert on S3 this Sunday at 21h30, and the repeat on Tuesday 23h00.
For media inquiries
Caroline Phalakatshela
Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment
072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za
Polokwane – Tuesday 04 May 2021 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s Limpopo based radio station Thobela FM, is introducing changes to its 2021/22 line-up in order to better serve its listener needs, in line with the changing the radio landscape.
The Morning drive show, ‘Ditlalemeso’ will be co-hosted by Lenny T and Poelano Setwaba between 07h00 and 09h00 from Monday to Friday. Poelano Setwaba, who is new to the show, has been on radio for the past 3 years and recently worked for the community radio station Energy FM, before her appointment at Thobela FM.
The station has moved the Talk show from the evening slot to its original day time slot of 12h00-13h00, due to listener demand.
The station has further introduced a current affairs show “E ba le nna” (Be with me), that will focus on continental issues, service delivery, economic matters, the empowerment of men and women, and labourers in the formal and informal sectors. The show will air between 13h00-15h00 from Monday to Friday and will be hosted by the well vested female presenter Nkgadimeng Kekana. Kekana was hosting the station’s Afternoon Drive show for the past two years.
A new addition to the Afternoon Drive show is Sebasa Mogale, who will be joining the seasoned Mankoko Mokhari. The stations’ Youth Show “Moswa le Bokamoso” has moved from the 14h00-15h00 slot, to an evening time slot of 21h00-22h00, hosted by Hunadi, affectionately known as ‘Sehlasela Moborego’.
Thobela FM has also introduced a new Weekend Breakfast Show- “Meso ya mafelelo a beke”(Weekend Breeze). The show will air on Saturdays between 07h00-09h00, and hosted by Fantastic Sebola, who was presenting the station’s ‘Top 30’ Charts show for the past three years.
The ‘Top 30’ charts show on Saturdays will now be hosted by a new presenter, Skumbuso Mbatha.
Thobela FM’s Station Manager Madikana Matjila says “the small tweaks will be impactful for the station. The station has great plans to penetrate into the digital world as radio has evolved and only operating on the traditional audio platform is no longer feasible as new trends and competitors emerge. Thobela FM will ensure that most of the station’s programmes will also be found or made available on our digital platforms”.
The public can tune into Thobela FM on 87.6 MHZ – 92.1 MHZ and Channel 621 on Openview.
END
Issued By: Group Communications
Media Enquiries: Ms. Mmoni Seapolelo SABC Spokesperson (Acting)
seapolelomv@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3057|C. 073 688 1590
Johannesburg-Saturday, 01 May 2021 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has noted allegations through various media reports stating that the Corporation is unable to pay some of its employees’ salaries and severance packages due to financial difficulties. The SABC can confirm that it has paid the salaries of its employees. The process of paying severance packages has begun and is anticipated to be concluded shortly with the majority of the payments having already taken place.
The SABC would like to categorically refute the allegation that it is not able to pay the salaries of its employees. The Corporation has a comprehensive and established cash management process in place that is aligned with best practice. The Corporation is able to meet all its obligations when due and has in fact embarked on an infrastructure renewal programme, as well as significant investment in fresh and compelling content.
The Corporation has further managed to recover ground lost as a result of the pandemic and the state of disaster, and revenue generation is back at levels of a year ago, and showing strong growth, supported by the majority of our platforms that are meeting and exceeding financial targets.
It must be noted that these rumours are unfounded and fake, and no doubt spread with malicious intent and designed to discredit the Corporation as the SABC has significantly reduced its salary bill and has begun to witness substantial improvement in revenue generation to assist the organisation to be self-sustaining.
The SABC remains on track to achieve financial sustainability and will continue to fulfil its public mandate of educating, entertaining and informing the nation for generations to come.
END
Issued By: Group Communications
Media Enquiries: Ms. Mmoni Seapolelo SABC Spokesperson (Acting)
seapolelomv@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3057|C. 073 688 1590
