The month of February is known worldwide as Black History Month, remembering and honouring people and events in the history of and the contemporary African diaspora. Just over 90 decades ago marks the start of the Black History Month commemorations, which started in the United States of America, but it is now also a celebration of “Africaness” beyond the borders of the USA.

‘S3 is launching its new programming for this month centred around BlackHistory Month. We have selected good block buster movies for Sunday evening at 19:30 – celebrating black actors in the movie industry with movieslike Flight with Denzil Washington and Enemy of the State with Will Smith. There are movies selected for Saturday night at 22:30 that dramatically examine systemic racism in contemporary American society. S3 has also curated programs that delve into the historical experience of Africans on the slave plantations in America (the horror, the bravery of resistance and the eventual abolition of slavery). Soon after abolition though, the segregation laws, “the Jim Crow legislation” similar to apartheid laws were enacted. There is much that is different about American society but there are many similarities in how racism was constructed and implemented. For us in the contemporary world, it is important to remember that the legacy of the past lives on in the present and it is an important history to know and understand modernity.’ Pat van Heerden – Channel Head: S3.

As part of the annual commemoration, S3 introduces Black History Month movies on Saturdays at 22:30, starting with The Hate U Give on the 4th of February 2023. In this film, Starr Carter, played by Amandla Stenberg, witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil, at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressure from all sides of the community, she must find her voice and stand up for what is right.

The Devil To Pay follows on the 11th of February, with Danielle Deadwyler, Catherine Dyer and Jayson Warner Smith at the centre of this tragic story. A struggling farmer in an isolated Appalachian community fights to save her son when the cold-hearted matriarch of the oldest family on the mountain demands payment of a debt that could destroy a decade-old truce.

Harriet, starring Janelle Monae, Cynthia Erivo, and Leslie Odom Jr., is an extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

The channel also celebrates Black History Month with the acquisition of the drama Underground on Thursdays at 21:00. This is a story about bravery, ingenuity, and power taking centre stage as plantation slaves’ band together in the fight of their lives – for their families, their future and most importantly, their freedom.

For more information, publicity images and interview opportunities, contact the S3 Publicity office.

Do not miss the #S3BlackHistoryPower offering this February, only on S3.

SABC1 has set to take viewers on the journey behind the success and challenges faced by award-winning afro pop singer Zahara with the broadcast of her reality show Zahara – As I Rise, starting Saturday, 4 February 2023. The show will broadcast at 19:30.

Zahara first entered the industry with her album, Loliwe, which has generated massive success on all fronts. Many unanswered questions will arise, starting with the success of her album that launched in 2011 and the claim of unpaid funds with the link to the record label.

This reality show follows Zahara on a journey of restoration and healing from all she has encountered. She is trying to take in everything at her own pace, but in the same breath, the answers she seeks have now opened more questions that need answering.

The series promises to offer viewers an intimate view into her life, and they will see Zahara play unique roles in different lives and revive herself and her music career. Underneath the pouting persona with a glass of alcohol every day and the stress of losing everything she owns, there is a bruised woman with no make-up, fighting to do corrections of her life, a sister, and a woman searching for joy that she has not felt for years. Zahara has always been unapologetic about who she is, and she will let the viewers in on her life on many levels.

‘My journey has not been easy. I have mourned my brother’s death and suffered the betrayal, pressure and frustrations that have taken a toll on me, driving me to drink myself to death.’ – Zahara.

For more information, interview opportunities and publicity images, contact SABC1 Publicity.

siON, tune into Zahara – As I Rise every Saturday at 19:30, starting 4 February 2023, only on SABC1 Mzansi FoSho!

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za

Since the launch of Ushuni woKhozi FM merchandise. How has the public responded to this merchandise, looking at the general sentiments and sales?

The Ushuni woKhozi FM brand has created so much excitement in the market. This is evident in the number of sales, listeners posting photos of themselves on social media wearing the shoes to various events and the demand in the provinces we are yet to be available in.

What are the key marketing activities in place to ensure maximum sales for the merchandise?

Firstly, a lot of hype has been created on air and on all our digital platforms. The excitement and pride that the presenters have for our new baby is contagious and makes listeners want to be part of this movement. During the month of December, the station implemented in-store activations that assisted with feet through Jam Store doors. Taxi branding advertising the Ushuni Wokhozi fm brand could be seen through the festive season in the station’s broadcast area.

Initially when the shoes were launched they were only available in KZN. As JAM is nationwide, Ushuni Wokhozi fm will be available nationwide by the end of January 2023. This happens to coincide with the station’s Back to School roadshow which sees the station visiting various provinces. The station will do store activations as it makes its way around the country for the Back to School Campaign.

South Africans will see the station’s TV ad soon and should also be on the lookout for some of their favourite celebrities who have served as influencers for the station.

When will the roll out of Ushuni woKhozi FM be extended countrywide through JAM Stores?

Ushuni Wokhozi fm is already available in the Gauteng region in areas such as Mamelodi (Mams Mall), Soweto (Maponya Mall), Vosloorus, Woodmead and CBD (Commissioner). The shoes will be available nationwide by the end of January 2023.

Any plans for diversified product line yet?

Absolutely, the team is working very hard on the winter line which we are extremely excited to launch in April 2023.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s CSI department has begun the year in full swing, by bringing back it’s ‘Back to School Campaign’ which has seen the lives of South African learners being positively impacted over the years.

This year, the SABC will be donating 60 laptops in 3 provinces namely; Free State Province, Limpopo Province and Western Cape Province. In 2021/2022 the SABC donated 60 laptops in Northern Cape Province, Eastern Cape Province and Mpumalanga Province.

On 23 January 2023, the public broadcaster made a donation of 20 laptops to Virginia High School in the Free State, which, introduced its first Grade 12 class in 2022 and achieved just over a 90% matric pass. The handover event was graced by the Free State’s MEC of Education Mr. Tate Makgoe. MEC Makgoe expressed his excitement with the work that SABC is doing and encouraged other corporate companies to do the same, in support of Education.

The SABC’s Head of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Ms. Ndileka Cola stated “SABC CSI is proud of this back to school initiative, as we do not see it as spending funds but investing in the future of our youth through access to tools which will further develop their educational journey. The donation of laptops has provided many positives to the schools we have interacted with thus far and it is a sustainable project. The donations also speak to government’s efforts to have everyone participating in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the public broadcaster playing its role in fulfilling that mandate. We are excited, as the laptops will assist learners from grade 8 to start operating a computer. In our criteria for selecting institutions of learning, we look for schools that teach CAT and we also request the principals to allow other learners who don’t take CAT as a subject to be taught basic computer literacy skills.”

Cola further added “As we are all aware that all higher education institutions make use of digital lectures, we saw the need to empower learners by donating laptops, which is our key contribution to ‘Back to School Campaign’.”

In order to ensure all our handover events are a success, the SABC’s Provincial Regional Operations Manager’s (ROM) and the radio stations in the regions, play a key role in identifying schools, scanning the environment, as well as the implementation and raising awareness around the campaign.

The SABC strives to initiate CSI activities which are not only in line with its public mandate, but will have sustainable and positive impact on the lives of South African that it engages with. The public broadcaster will also continue to partner with civil organisations, as changing our society for the better is a journey enhanced when we work together.

SABC2 announces that season 3 of Giyani- Land of Blood will return to the channel on the 6^th of February 2023. The series will retain the timeslot of 21:30, Mondays to Wednesdays.

Giyani- Land of Blood explores powerful, emotive, and clear themes about land, and answers the questions: who the rightful owner of the land is, who has the right to exploit the land, and who holds the ownership of the land … all these thematic views are infused with all the captivating backdrops of a classical telenovela – two warring families, a secret past and a forbidden love story between Khensani Mudau and Musa Baloyi.

Season 3 will see the introduction of The Khoza Family. Lesley Musina joins the cast as Solani Khoza, a successful lawyer, and the patriarch of the Khoza Family. Lesley’s wife Pele, an Ex-promo-girl turn Club Manager, played by Bokang Phelane, while Zigi Ndlovu joins the show as Dzovo, Solani’s son. Dzovo is Khensani’s new love interest and business partner. Another powerhouse is Solani’s sister, the matriarch of the Khoza family, Mambeku played by Nsuku Baloyi. Thrown into the mix are his two daughters Mixo (Nkateko Mabunda) and Zuri for yet another compelling season.

The role of Khensani Mudau will now be played by Mahlatsi Mokoena.  Rami Chuene returns to her role as Manoko and continues with the manipulation and criminal activities. Also back are Ndivhuho Mutsila as Richard, Linah Ngcobo as Mhani Tsakani, Noel Baloyi as Mahlori, Fumani Shilubana as Vukosi and Maduvha Madima as Shoni.

Season 3 is about coming full circle on the themes of the series and secrets will be exposed. This season embarks on the show’s final odyssey with a world that has expanded and changed – the banana plantation has been replaced by the game lodge, which Manoko continues to pillage, while the villagers remain marginalized and living in poverty on their supposed own land.

For interview opportunities and media set visits please contact the SABC2 publicity office.

Don’t miss Giyani – Land of Blood on SABC2, Mondays – Wednesdays at 21:30, starting 6 February 2023.

Following the launch of the METRO FM Music Awards (MMAs) 2023 on 18 January 2023 in Nelspruit, METRO FM management is appealing to all recording label companies and artists to submit music eligible for entry.

This year’s music submissions for the MMAs  opened on Thursday 19 January 2023  and will close on 28 February 2023.  The submissions can be done on www.metrofmmusicawards.co.za/. The albums, singles and recordings eligible for entry must have been released between 28 February 2022 to 28 February 2023. The entries received will be screened for compliance with the relevant rules to check whether such entries are submitted in the correct categories and the music was recorded within the stipulated period. The purpose of this process is to ensure that each entry is eligibly entered  in the right category and  is not at risk of disqualification.  The rules, regulations and submission checklist can be accessed from the METRO FM website.

More information for the awards can be accessed on these websites http://www.metrofm.co.za and  www.metrofmmusicawards.co.za/  and the station’s social media platforms :

Facebook: METROFMSA

Twitter: @METROFMSA

Instagram: METROFMSA

TikTok: METROFMSA