Latest news with #Multichoice
The Citizen
09-08-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa asked to take action against ‘racist' minister Gayton McKenzie
Sharing screenshots of his previous posts, some of which included the K-word, many labelled McKenzie a racist and said he needed to resign. Gayton McKenzie's criticism of alleged racial comments made against coloured people has his critics calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action against the Sports minister for previous 'offensive' remarks he has made. McKenzie was among the most vocal critics of Open Chats Podcast hosts who recently claimed that coloured people practice incest and are mentally deranged. The show later issued two apologies for the comments. McKenzie's party, the PA, have opened a case of crimen injuria, and the matter is being investigated by the SA Human Rights Commission. While the outrage has been widespread and across political lines, McKenzie's further criticism of the remarks and claim 'coloureds and blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly' have created their own storm. McKenzie on Friday claimed many were 'more offended by our outrage as coloured people against the vile racism that was directed at us, you find excuses for these young people who hurt a whole race.' 'You are encouraging future racists instead of nipping this in the bud. We are not you,' he added. As people began sharing offensive and racial slurs that McKenzie had himself made previously, the minister stood firm. 'This whole campaign to find something racist I ever said is hilarious because you have now gone 13 years back and can't bring out one racist thing I ever said. I always and still fight that coloureds and blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly.' ALSO READ: WATCH: Gayton McKenzie gives update on Open Chats Podcast as Multichoice confirms its removal 'We demand action now!' Sharing screenshots of his previous posts, some of which included the K-word, many labelled McKenzie a racist and said he needed to resign. Former African Transformation Movement (ATM) president and MP Vuyolwethu Zungula was among those who called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action against McKenzie. 'Mr President, you appointed a minister who has publicly uttered deeply offensive and despicable words against black people. 'Is this really the vision of unity and inclusivity that the GNU stands for? We demand action now!' Neither McKenzie nor the Presidency has commented on the demands. NOW READ: 'Get your popcorn factory ready' — McKenzie willing to testify at the commission into Mkhwanazi allegations
IOL News
19-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Concerns over Canal+ and Multichoice merger: impact on local content producers
Jack Devnarain Image: Instagram Local content producers and actors are concerned that the French Television Giant Canal+'s acquisition of Multichoice may lead to fewer local productions and could lead to an increase in unemployment for those working in the entertainment industry, especially those dependent on commissions from Multichoice. The Competition Commission Tribunal hearing this week, focused on public interest clauses of the merger, especially around commitments to support local content creators and historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs). Regulators and commissioners sought to understand how local content creators and HPDs will be supported under the merged entity. Canal+ and MultiChoice had committed to obligations to continue procuring goods and services from a diverse group of beneficiaries, including HDP firms, small and medium enterprises (SMMEs), and South African content creators. Concerns were raised during Thursday's hearing on whether the wording under Clause 7 of the merger conditions was explicit enough to assure beneficiaries—particularly local content producers—that they are covered under the commitments. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Competition Tribunal panel also queried Canal+ and Multichoice on the basis for monetary commitments related to local content procurement and HDP participation. However, specific amounts set for this by the merging parties remain confidential, although they explained that these figures were derived from historical and projected expenditure data covering a three-year period. They said they had made financial commitments to reflect average spend based on past and future spending to ensure that support for local content and HDP firms is maintained—not diminished—after the merger. 'To be clear, these are not additional or new commitments—they are meant to safeguard ongoing procurement activity, especially given that there was no certainty these would continue if the merger didn't proceed,' explained the merging parties.' These commitments are part of a broader set of public interest conditions tied to the merger, designed to ensure that local economic development, transformation, and content diversity are not compromised by foreign control of one of Africa's largest media platforms. However Jack Devnarain, veteran actor and chairperson of the South African Guild of Actors, said they didn't have any expectations of Canal+ which was here to 'play the game' in an unregulated industry, which he believes was a 'huge attraction' for them. 'From the actor's point of view, we are always suspicious of mergers such as this because typically, given that we are in an unregulated industry, it means that actors are the last to get any benefit whatsoever from the transaction. 'We are the last to have our rights protected in any way, and we are deeply concerned that while all this content is going to find a new home, that actors are going to be left without new opportunities for work.' Devnarain said that Ideally they would like to engage with Canal+ on various issues like a new contractual agreement in which they can secure commercial exploitation fees in contract, and even if old content is re-versioned and dubbed, that actors will receive some residual income. 'We're not optimistic about that at all, simply because we know Africa, African content, African filmmakers and broadcasters are typically the ones to be exploited when it comes to the arrival of the European or American broadcasters or streamers. The Global North has always sought opportunities to exploit the content opportunities emanating from the Global South and Africa has always been ripe because we are incredibly diverse in our linguistic content, in the cultural content and in the incredible locations that we have.' Devnarain described it as a new form of colonisation where international conglomerates and corporate players from the Global North find wonderful opportunities in the Global South, and again exploit the talent that comes out of South Africa and Africa, without compensating them. The merger between Multichoice and Canal+ will be subject to a restructuring exercise under to ring-fence MultiChoice's licensed broadcasting entity, MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd. This unit will be hived off into a standalone company, LicenseCo in line with local regulatory requirements. After settlement of the merger, the combined group will have no interest or control in LicenseCo. However, details of the this carve-out structure for LicenseCo remain confidential. LicenceCo will be majority-owned by previously disadvantaged and black economic empowerment companies, with MultiChoice Group holding a 49% interest. Canal+ has however previously said that it was still engaging with Phuthima Nathi which has been earmarked to hold a 27% interest in LicenceCo although the board has already given its support for the transaction. Black-owned and managed companies, Identity Partners Itai Consortium and Afrifund Consortium, have also been roped into LicenceCo, bringing 'highly experienced leaders' with 'great commercial and industry' knowledge. Regulators are expected to consider these clarifications as they finalize their decision on whether the merger may proceed under South Africa's competition and public interest laws. The merger awaits final regulatory and competition approvals. Denvnarain said they are concerned that work that was already produced would be dubbed and sold to new markets and the actors not compensated for it. 'Because those rights didn't exist under the MNet or KYKNet agreements, we don't expect that Canal+ is going to come into South Africa and acknowledge rights that our own South African broadcaster refused to give us. So, we don't see the upside as actors unless we are creating new content for the new owners under a new contractual regime where we are able to secure commercial exploitation rights. 'And again, it's unheard of to secure commercial exploitation rights in a contract if your industry itself is an unregulated industry.'
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Showmax's 'Untied' episode featuring Noma Mngoma airs on July 15
Norma Gigaba is expected to share details into her marriage despite her ex-husband, Malusi Gigaba's attempted to get the interview canned. This comes after Gigaba's application to prevent the interview was dismissed . Untied is hosted by award-winning media personality, Relebongile Mabotja. IOL reported that the interview, which delves into the turbulent aspects of their marriage, including allegations of infidelity, pornography addiction, and misuse of public funds, has raised significant public interest and concern. In a short statement released following the court's decision, Multichoice has welcomed the court ruling. "We welcome the court's decision to dismiss the interdict application brought by Mr Malusi Gigaba regarding the airing of the Showmax episode of Untied featuring Ms. Norma Mngoma. We remain committed to responsible storytelling and respect for the legal process. We hereby confirm that the episode in question will stream on Showmax on 15 July 2025 from 6am," Multichoice said. IOL
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Malusi Gigaba's attempt to halt broadcast of ex-wife's explosive episode on ‘Untied' fails
Gigaba headed to the Joburg High Court to try prevent Mngoma's appearance on the Showmax show. Malusi Gigaba and ex-wife Norma Mngoma. Gigaba failed to halt the airing of a Mngoma interview. Pictures: Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images/ and Supplied Malusi Gigaba's attempt to halt the broadcast of an episode where his ex-wife Norma Mngoma details the politician's alleged infidelity during their marriage has failed. After heading to the Johannesburg High Court to prevent Mngoma's appearance on the Showmax show, Untied, the court has thrown out the matter. Mngoma is part of Untied, a talk show series that unpacks the complex world of divorce through the stories of famous women who have lived it. Broadcaster Relebogile Mabotja hosts the Showmax programme. An episode has been released each week on Multichoice's streaming platform, with the first being Real Housewives of Durban cast member Nonku Williams, followed by media personality Palesa Madisakwane. Mngoma's episode was set to be broadcast before Williams' episode. However, the episode was temporarily halted by the politician, fearing that his ex-wife would speak about Gigaba's alleged infidelity during their marriage and the use of public funds. The Citizen was still awaiting comment from Multichoice at the time of publishing, but reports have stated that the case will not be heard, and Showmax can proceed to air the anticipated episode. The story will be updated when the broadcaster's comment comes through. ALSO READ: Malusi Gigaba blocks screening of ex-wife's tell-all Showmax interview Gigaba's attempts Gigaba applied for a court order to prevent ex-wife Norma Mngoma from speaking about the politician's alleged infidelity during their marriage, porn addiction and misuse of public funds. In the lawsuit filed by Gigaba, MultiChoice is cited as the first respondent, with Goat Originals, which produced the show, as the second respondent, and Mngoma the third. In court papers quoted by the Sunday World, the former finance minister is reported to have said that he became aware of the Untied episode when he received a WhatsApp message from its executive producer, Vanessa Tloubatla, in May. Gigaba stated that Tloubatla had indicated that she had recently interviewed Mngoma, who had mentioned his name on the show, and wanted to offer him a right of reply. 'In terms of the attached document, Vanessa [Tloubatla] indicated that the third respondent, shared her experience of our former marriage, particularly her own perspective about our marriage, allegations of infidelity, pornography, the incident involving the Hawks, and further allegations about the use of taxpayer's money for personal trips,' Gigaba is quoted as saying. ALSO READ: 'It's important for women to have these conversations': Sonia opens up about marriage to Matthew Booth Gigaba requests for copy of Mngoma episode In June, Gigaba's lawyers reportedly wrote to Tloubatla requesting a copy of the episode so he could listen to the specific allegations made against him. Gigaba said the production company's lawyers sent him a letter stating the specific allegations Mngoma made in the show. 'In light of the aforesaid, the second respondent makes the following unfounded allegations with respect to my private life: that I was engaged in multiple extramarital affairs during the subsistence of our marriage; I was addicted to pornography; and further that I was involved in her arrest,' Gigaba stated in the court papers. A few days later, on 10 June, Gigaba's lawyers wrote a letter to the production company's representatives, stating that Goat Originals' letter did not address the specific allegations made against him. In light of that, this rendered him unable to respond appropriately. 'On 12th June 2025, my attorneys advised that the second respondent's attorneys provided us with snippets of the interview for the purpose of watching [it],' he said. Gigaba said that after watching the snippets, he advised his legal team of his desire to interdict the broadcasting of the interview, on the basis that it would tarnish his name and not be in the public interest. Some of the allegations that Mngoma makes in the interview are that Gigaba's infidelity stems from seeing his father, a priest, cheat on his mother. '[She responded by saying] he would blame his father, because his father was a priest, he grew up looking up to his father, and his father cheated on his mother.' 'He would say 'I am going to deal with it', and he doesn't know why he is doing it,' the court papers read. NOW READ: 'We wish every day that your dad was still here': DJ Zinhle and Mörda celebrate Kairo Forbes' birthday
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘It's important for women to have these conversations': Sonia opens up about marriage to Matthew Booth
Sonia said she started seeing cracks in her marriage after they returned to South Africa and Booth played for a team in Cape Town. Sonia Pule, formerly Booth, is part of Untied, a talk show series that unpacks the complex world of divorce through the stories of famous women who have lived it. Picture: Supplied Speaking about past trauma can be a crucial step in the healing process for someone to deal with their pain. The demand to speak about one's agony is heightened when a person is famous, and there are a few things that are considered 'juicier' than the end of a marriage between two famous people. From Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – history is full of break-up stories. Model and businesswoman Sonia Pule split from her former husband, Matthew Booth, a few years ago, with their divorce finalised last year at the Johannesburg High Court. 'It's important for women to have these conversations because social media has unearthed phoney and pretentious behaviours,' said Sonia in the latest episode of Untied. 'We need to talk about real lives and daily struggles behind our smartphones. The lives without the filters. The days when you don't have the strength to adult, where you just want to be left alone. Such honest convos remind you to check yourself. I always say: till it happens to you.' Sonia is part of Untied, an eight-episode talk show series that unpacks the complex world of divorce through the stories of famous women who have lived it. The Showmax programme is hosted by broadcaster Relebogile Mabotja. An episode has been released each week on Multichoice's streaming platform, with the first being Real Housewives of Durban cast member Nonku Williams, followed by media personality Palesa Madisakwane. An episode featuring Malusi Gigaba's ex-wife, Noma Mngoma, was set to be broadcast before Williams' episode but was temporarily halted by the politician, fearing that his ex-wife would speak about Gigaba's alleged infidelity during their marriage and the use of public funds. ALSO READ: Sonia drops receipts about Matthew Booth's infidelity and cheesecake betrayal Sonia on 'Untied' Sonia and Booth's split is one of the most highly publicised in recent South African history. Known as the 'cheesecake story', Sonia discovered that her former husband had allegedly baked a cheesecake for his mistress instead of their family. Sonia said she started seeing some cracks in their marriage after the couple returned to South Africa and Booth played for Ajax Cape Town from around 2011 to 2013. 'Him moving to Cape Town to play for a local team, it presented challenges cause here I am, left back in Joburg. Cause now remember I was used to being alone with just Nathan, and now we move back to South Africa as a family and now he leaves Joburg to go to Cape Town,' said Sonia. 'It was hard. Here I am as a single parent now, that I did not sign up to be. A married single parent with two boys,' she said. She expressed how Booth's time in Cape Town presented certain challenges. 'You get insecure; I struggled to lose weight after Noah. That also brings about insecurities, you start judging yourself, you don't appreciate yourself,' she said, explaining how she felt at the time. ALSO READ: Radio 2000 broadcaster Ntombi Meso mends childhood traumas through her children's book Sonia and her dark skin complexion Sonia also opened up about being ostracised for her dark skin tone. 'Sadly, in the townships it can be brutal,' she said. 'I mention my dark complexion because when I grew up, being as dark as I am, you're automatically ugly. That saved me from boys, because they were not paying attention to me because I am 'ugly' remember,' shared Sonia. She said she started receiving attention from the other sex when she began her modelling career. 'Especially after Face of Africa,' she said. Sonia's modelling career began in 1998 and led to her representing Southern Africa in the Mnet Face of Africa competition in 1999. 'We were dark, and there were some girls who were darker than me, and you look at some of these women, your Alek Wek complexion, and you just can't stop staring at them because you're like 'wow',' shared Sonia. 'I'm talking about the kind of beauty that will make you do what you're not supposed to do, you know it's rude to stare at somebody, but these are some of the women that took part and I started embracing my dark complexion.' Sonia was crowned second runner-up in the Miss SA 2001 beauty pageant, and in 2011 and 2012, she was selected to adjudicate the Miss SA beauty pageants. NOW READ: Malusi Gigaba blocks screening of ex-wife's tell-all Showmax interview
