Celebrating Fatherhood: A Glimpse into the Lives of Ayanda Makayi, Vuyo Biyela, Duma Ndlovu, and Junior Khanye

Fatherhood is a unique journey, especially when balancing the demands of a thriving career. For Ayanda Makayi, Vuyo Biyela, Duma Ndlovu, and Junior Khanye, this balance is a daily act of love and dedication. As we celebrate Father's Day, these prominent figures from the South African entertainment industry share their experiences and insights on being present and engaged fathers despite their hectic schedules.

 

Ayanda Makayi known for his role as Stokie on the Mzansi Magic telenovela Gqeberha: The Empire, understands the challenges of balancing his career with fatherhood especially in a co-parenting dynamic but tries to continuously connect with his son. He says “balancing your career with responsibilities is never easy especially being far from your child. He is in Johannesburg and I’m here in Gqeberha but it’s important to always remember purpose and why I am here which is for him and being a father who can provide for him. Support system is also very important and his mother and “Mam’P” (his nanny) are amazing and he is just so loved which makes it all work and all worth it.” He adds that because of the distance, he relies on videos calls to connect with his son but outside of the usual video calls he enjoys traditions with his son which include “our ice cream dates at McDonald’s , kicking the ball together, Lwandle loves swimming so I try make sure I can take him to go to his lessons whenever I can, pick him up from school, we love singing together… even in his baby language.”

 

Vuyo Biyela, who portrays Kwenzo Dlamini on Mzansi Wethu's popular telenovela Sibongile & the Dlaminis, firmly believes that fatherhood comes first and balancing his acting career with parenting is a non-negotiable and he admits that a supportive family structure aids in this balance. “I’m a father before I’m an actor so balance is not a question. I always make time for my kids regardless of my busy schedule. I have a very supportive family structure so that also makes things easier." He adds, “when I’m not on call we love playing educational board games and since my son is a football fanatic, my daughter and I are always at his training sessions and football matches supporting him and lastly my daughter always gives us live performances of singing and dance every night before bedtime that’s where everyone shares a good laugh.”

 

⁠Renowned poet, playwright, and producer, Duma Ndlovu who is currently working on drama series Queen Modjajdi coming to Mzansi Magic, on Sunday 14 July at 20:00. acknowledges the challenges of balancing a demanding career with fatherhood saying “balancing my demanding career with fatherhood has been a challenge, but I have always made it a priority to set aside dedicated time for my children. Whether it's mealtimes, sharing ideas and things to do, or weekend activities, I try to be fully present and engaged when I'm with them. Most especially on big calendar days. We always gather and share meals and laughter.” He adds that ⁠when he is not working he makes it a point to engage in activities that his family and more especially his children enjoy, “we have established some traditions such as telling stories, weekend road trips to the villages, and family nights which we all look forward to. These moments are precious to me, and I cherish the bond we share during these times.”

 

Soccer legend and analyst, Junior Khanye whose 14-part reality show Fixing the Game: Junior Khanye will premiere on Mzansi Wethu on Thursday 11 July at 18:30, values every moment spent with his kids, even amidst a hectic schedule. Despite his kids not living with him, he emphasises that he always finds time to spend with them, “it can be two hours or one hour and even though they don’t stay with me, I don’t mind travelling and seeing them because my kids come first. I know work comes first because if I don’t work, I can’t provide for my kids but in my life, my kids come first, and I try my best to always give time to seeing my kids in between my busy schedule.” He emphasizes that it is important that he shows up for his family and encourages all fathers to do the same.

 

As these fathers share their stories, it is evident that fatherhood is a commitment that transcends distance, time, and professional demands. This Father's Day, we celebrate the dedication and the loving bonds Fathers nurture with their children. Let the experiences of these enetertainment fathers remind us of the significance of being present and making every moment count.

Wang’kolota Coming Back To Mzansi Wethu For Season 3 With New Host

Are you a ‘skepsel’ in need but a ‘kleva’ in the streets? Well, Wang’kolota is coming back to Mzansi Wethu for a third season with new host, Trevor Gumbi, from Sunday 18 August and they are coming for you!

Wang'kolota puts a spotlight on individuals who openly and freely spend their money while neglecting to pay back those they owe. The host and his crew step in to help the lender retrieve what they are owed from the borrower after the he/she has been struggling to get back what is owed to them.

However, it’s not just about going to get what’s due to you since there might be legal implications and consent from all partiers is crucial. For this reason, the show engages a legal representative for advice on the most suitable legal approach to seize the accused’s property to find ways to repay the debt, should the need arise.

It is important to ensure that the accused is capable of consenting, fully willing, under no duress, and in full knowledge of the risks and consequences involved.

Can the host and his team help retrieve it or are there deeper unresolved issues standing in the way? Tune in to Wang’kolota on Mzansi Wethu DStv Channel 163 from Sunday 18 August at 20:00

Recap To The Month: Canal+ Looking To Make MultiChoice A Global Powerhouse Against The Likes Of Disney And Netflix By Making Local Content Go Global

During the month, Canal+ Group CEO was approached by journalists where he addressed several matters regarding MultiChoice. As reported, he's been given the greenlight to acquire the remaining shares and is currently drawing up a proposal to appease legislation. 

Together the merged company would have reached 50 million households (30 million reside within Africa). It would make it the biggest entertainment company across the world that's not based in the United States.

Apart from the MultiChoice deal in Africa, the group had increased its share in the Hong Kong-based streaming platform Viu to 30% - with the option of increasing it to 50%. Viu has accumulated 15 million subscribers in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Canal+ plans for MultiChoice's local endeavors 

Saada says the new, merged company will take a "very, very different approach" than the American companies, by focusing on the highest quality local content. "And it's not necessarily very difficult, but it needs resources. And once you reach a scale of 50 million subscribers, then you have the resources."

Implying that local content from M-Net and various of other brands like Mzansi Magic, Africa Magic and KykNET will likely resurface in parts of Europe and Asia. Now that funds coming into MultiChoice will have additional outlets and possible increase local commission. 

MultiChoice Studios' offering was limited to Showmax and various M-Net channels. With Canal+, we'll probably be seeing more of Blood Psalms and Recipe For Love And Murder and possible content distributed in France before Africa. 

Where does this leave brands like eNCA and SABC News?

Nothing can be for certain in regards to that as Canal+ does supply various local channels from DStv onto their platforms in Francophone Africa. These include Africa Magic Epic, M-Net Movies, SuperSport La Liga and Premier League and Zee World.

South African content has been known to be kind of pricey one of the reasons eNCA is not viewable on a platform like Openview. It's not necessarily about exclusivity but the fact that there's not much competitors that can aid in MultiChoice's pursuit in that regard.

If anything, it would probably be a miracle if some content from these channels wind up on French based news channel Canal+ 8 (C8). There's been scenarios where TV channels would just invest in regional content it was like that with BBC News and CGTN.

Media24 To Close City Press, Daily Sun, Rapport And Beeld In October

Media24 will reportedly be closing 4 of its print publications in October, including Daily Sun, Beeld, Rapport and City Press.

This according to a report by Moneyweb which cites four sources have confirmed the media house’s decision to shut down some of its mainstream publications.

In 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Media24 considered the closure of 5 magazines and 2 newspapers.

A total of 510 positions were impacted and the company consolidated several positions in a long-term restructuring process.

It is now reported that a rapid decrease in circulation numbers has led to the decision to shut down the 4 publications mentioned above.

As reported by Moneyweb, it is unknown whether Media24 will continue with the online brands for these publications which lives as sub-sections under News24 and Netwerk24 websites.

Rapport’s circulation reportedly fell from 335 000 in 2000 to just 60 000 in 2024.

City Press declined from 233 000 to just 14 000, while the Beeld dropped from 100 000 to 20 000.

News Shorts: TPA Noticias Broadcasts The Angola ICT Forum 2024 For Consumers In South Africa, DStv Access Gets More Kids Channels Alongside SuperSport Football And TBN And Disney Channel Potential HD Feed Likely Scrapped On DStv

Angola ICT Forum 2024 is also viewable to DStv consumers in South Africa 

Mário Oliveira welcomed the participants to Angotic/2024. On the occasion, the minister listed the sector's challenges that began 45 years ago and that now allow the country to be at the forefront of leadership in the ICT sector in Africa. Despite all the achievements already achieved, the leader of MINTTICS said that the focus continues on ensuring infrastructures capable of revolutionizing communications on the continent with a focus on optical fiber and cable networks. These commitments, according to the minister, are visible in the quality of ICT services and the continuous training of national staff, to respond to the country's challenges.

MultiChoice allocated TPA Noticias on channel 530 to all DStv Premium, Compact+, Compact, Family, Access and Easyview customers from June 13th to 15th as part of the commemoration.

DStv Access gets more entertaining 

MultiChoice decided to add Cartoonito, Disney Channel, Nicktoons and DreamWorks to DStv Access from June 15th to July 7th as kids are at home for the school holidays. Weirdly enough, no open window had been announced for their Family to Compact audience.

Older audiences can enjoy the best sporting action on channel 205 until July 16th. Other content also offered on SuperSport Football include Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Serie A and La Liga.

TBN and Disney Channel HD is a bust

A few years ago, MultiChoice was working on two HD feeds for both TBN and Disney Channel, and from the looks of the duration had been in development hell. Now TBN had been phased out for Zambezi Reloaded while Disney Channel by Racing240.

Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network are already in high definition and were commonly known as the big 3 alongside Disney Channel. Those numbers continue to fall short on MultiChoice's end while with TBN I think what's more shocking was its nomination for such frequency. 

Developing Story: StarSat Scraps Possibly Delays Price Increase Following News Of Its Possible Closure In South Africa

Not long ago, it was announced that StarSat would implementing a price increase effective from July 1st. Now the pay-tv company has removed any mentions of such across their social platforms following possible news of its closure in South Africa. 

On Digital Media, the parent company and license holder for StarSat's broadcast license was said to be revoked by ICASA. With sources mentioning that they had until September 18th to address staff and the various parties affected by this matter.

StarSat in these regards is exploring all the regulatory and legal issues regarding its licencing. This could have been the contributing factor as to why any mentions of these prices had since been taken down.

But StarTimes continues to sell their decoders when in such regards you would have to pause the distribution of your products. Various consumers worried and concerned wonder what will happen with AMC, One Free Televisual and Da Vinci.

MultiChoice had packaged and once distributed some of the channels viewed on their platform. The demise of StarSat means none of this content would be available in South Africa while others like CBS Reality and National Geographic reside on DStv.

Another downside pertains to the local offering viewed on the platform such as One Freestate Televisual and Rising Sun TV. Unlike the latter above whose reach extends to Africa, these are regional channels and as such don't have much avenues to stay on air.

News Shorts: Supa Strikas To Be Dubbed In IsiZulu For Play Room, Zee World Is Living Every Moment With New On Air Look By June 17 And Zambezi Reloaded Might Be Relaunching On DStv In The Coming Weeks

Supa Strikas goes local

As reported, Play Room had acquired rights to Supa Strikas after being made available to multiple kids channels on DStv already. The channel will add a new spin toward the animated series by dubbing the show in Zulu being the first for older viewers.

When Play Room launched later in 2023, it was only the preschool offering that received such treatment with Cocomelon and Akili And Me. With the soccer stars set to join this trio daily at 17:00 from 17 June.

Zee World is lighting your viewing experience 

Zee World was launched back in 2015 and has since then become one of the leading destinations for Bollywood entertainment. It's success led to the additions of Zee One, Zee Alem in Ethopia and the recent Zee Zonke in Southern Africa. 

Now the channel is gearing up for a new campaign titled Living Every Moment from June 17 with Zee World that is set to rollout updated graphics. 

Fan favorite channel makes a comeback

Zambezi Reloaded was added onto MultiChoice's DStv as catchup channel to Zambezi Magic. This was only applicable to consumers in Malawi after MultiChoice had its DStv license suspended with consumers having to catchup on past episodes during the festive season. 

Now MultiChoice appears to be looking at possibly reviving the channel for the second time of course the intentions for this iterations has yet to be mentioned. 

New Series Alert: Jeyran Currently Streaming On eVOD, Might Launch On eExtra Or eSeries

With little to no publicity from eMedia Investments on the endeavors on their platforms. The streamer eVOD added the Iranian historical drama 'Jeyran' making this the first outside of Istanbul to be allocated on the platform following Dayan, Destructive Beauty. 

It captures the 6 years of the life of Naser al-Din Shah and his favorite mistress, Jeyran and takes place in Iran, 19th century, after the death of Amirkabir. The king of Persia, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, falls in love with Jeyran, who loves Siavash.

It starred Parinaz Izadyar as Jeyran, Bahram Radan as Naser al-Din Shah, Amirhossein Fathi as Siavash Panjsangi, Mahdi Pakdel as Salman, Setareh Pesyani as Noghreh, Ghazal Shakeri as Malekzadeh and Samira Hassanpour as Galin Khanum.

Jeyran made its debut on the Iranian network Home Video on February 13, 2022 with 52 episodes having being filmed. The forbidden love story is currently streaming on eVOD with more details regarding its availability on Openview to be announced soon.

In other developments, eMedia Investments will be adding more content from BET with a second season of Black Tax. No word as to why eMedia Investments would allocate season 2 on e.tv instead of season 1 airs Saturdays at 19:30 from June 15.

New ‘Regular Show,’ ‘Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends’ Series And More Unveiled At Annecy

J.G. Quintel’s new “Regular Show” and Craig McCracken’s “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends” spin-off both feature in a new production slate from Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.

Unveiled Wednesday at Annecy, they join a new “Adventure Time” series, “Side Quests,” as greenlights at the Warner-owned companies.

The news slate also boasts two more “Adventure Time” shows in development, plus an unannounced Scooby-Doo project.

The big question raised by the studio’s Annecy focus is whether the surge in new shows is a temporary anomaly or marks a broader indicator of a more sustained return by Warner Bros. Discovery to fuller-on animation production after the lull of the recent past.

Certainly, the news will not come much bigger at this year’s Annecy than “Adventure Time,” “Regular Show” and “Fosters” returns, shows which helped shape fandom’s sense of modern-day animation entertainment in the 2010s and just before. 

The WBA-CNS-HBSE bonanza also underscores Warner Bros.’s declared strategy of returning to top fan favorites but making them for different age group demos.

McCracken’s original “Foster’s” targeted 6-11s, while the new “Foster’s Home” is preschool; the unveiled “Adventure Time” titles include a preschool show, “Heyo BMO,” and a family feature “Adventure Time Movie.”

Below, a brief breakdown of new shows announced by the three companies at Annecy.

Greenlights Announced at Annecy

“Foster’s Funtime for Imaginary Friends” (Cartoon Network Studios)

Creator of “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends,” which won Emmys and Annies, Craig McCracken (also known for “Powerpuff Girls”) is back with a completely new original series targeting pre-schoolers. In it, a now-young group of preschool imaginary friends learns from an immature elder friend, Bloo, who, as in the original, still unintentionally gets things wrong. McCracken has promised the same fast pace but a fun, simpler structure and less cynical humor. Only Bloo and Madame Foster return.

“Adventure Time: Side Quests” (Cartoon Network Studios)

As Variety has just announced, while adult-skewed “Fionna & Cake” is airing on Max, “Side Quests” takes the franchise back to a kid’s show, marking a return to early days with kid Finn and best buddy Jake fighting monsters on epic quests in an episodic series, eschewing the long story arcs of later “Adventure Times.” “Side Quests” looks set in the same world as the early original repeating characters such as villain The Ice King. Nate Cash, a creative (2012-13) and then supervising director (Season 5) on “Adventure Time,” figures as the series creator.

Untitled Regular Show Project, (Cartoon Network) 

Details on the new show are being kept under wraps. It’s not even known if Mordecai and Rigby are back. The key, however, is that it’s from J.G. Quintel. The show is entirely new, though it will feature some characters from the original series, Variety has learned. 

“Go-Go Mystery Machine” (Cartoon Network)

A Scooby-Doo spin-off series takes the gang to Japan. “While visiting Japan on the ultimate foodie adventure, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo unwittingly unleash hundreds of mischievous mythical monsters that are now causing trouble all over the country,” the description runs.  Scooby turns to his uncle, Daisuke-Doo, and magical friend Etsuko and gadget wiz Toshiro to help solve the mystery and catch the monsters. 

“Adventure Time: Heyo BMO” (Cartoon Network Studios)

The first-ever “Adventure Time” pre-school series. “In the fantastical Land of Ooo, the little robot BMO is on a new adventure. Now settled in a new neighborhood with new friends, BMO approaches each challenge he faces with his unique brand of enthusiasm and curiosity in a quest to learn and fill his database,” the description runs. Adam Muto, “Adventure Time” showrunner from mid-Season 5, returns as the main creative talent alongside Ashlyn Anstee, a storyboard artist on “Distant Lands.”

“Untitled Barbara Throws a Wobbler Project” (Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe)

A preschool series based on award-winning author and illustrator Nadia Shireen’s picturebook, about a young cat who most days does what other cats do, until one day she throws a tantrum she can’t control. Creative lead is animation supervisor Joris van Hulzen, a 2D animation director on “The Amazing World of Gumball.” 

“The Adventure Time Movie” (Cartoon Network Studios)

Billed by CNS as: “Jake and Finn embark on their greatest adventure yet.” Rebecca Sugar, behind “Steven Universe” and a storyboard artist on “Adventure Time” Seasons 2 and 3, serves as creator with Muto and another “Adventure Time” veteran, Patrick McHale, a writer, creative director and storyboard artist on the original series from 2010-17. 

“Bad Karma,” (Warner Bros. Animation)

A family movie project set in a fantasy mythological world billed by WBA as an “exciting and epic tale about courage, loyalty and an unlikely friendship.” This title features a young demon princess, Chandra, and the legendary demi-god, Hanuman. A clip shown at Annecy turns on Chandra’s travails with men until she meets the giant Hanuman.  Creators take in Sanjay Patel, dictator of Oscar-nominated “Sanjay’s Super Team,” Rajesh Devraj (writer of “Arjun: The Warrior Prince”), Vikash Shankar and Katie Rice.

“Lovey Dovey,” (Warner Bros. Animation)

A romantic wedding dove, in search of his one true love, gets stuck with a bunch of streetwise pigeons whose only goal is to screw the large bird from a popular kids TV show. Ava Tramer, a writer on “Harley Quinn,” takes the creative lead.