Latest news with #Tshivenda
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
It's a wrap: A look inside Muvhango's final day of filming
The final episode of Muvhango will air in August. Behind the scenes of Muvhango. Picture: Instagram/@muvhangosa SABC's first Tshivenda language soap opera, Muvhango, has officially wrapped production after almost three decades on air. On Thursday, the long-running soapie shared a behind-the-scenes video on social media, giving fans a glimpse into the cast's emotional final day on set. 'I am really emotional since it's the last day. I'm going to miss everybody, including all the departments,' said cast member Wavhudi Lidzengu. Lidzengu joined Muvhango nearly a decade ago at just 17, playing the role of Vhutshilo Mukwevho. Debuting in 1997, Muvhango made history as South Africa's first Tshivenda-language soap opera. It quickly became a cultural staple and a celebration of the indigenous language on mainstream TV. The final episode will air next month, on 8 August. Speaking about the show's cancellation last month, creator and executive producer Duma Ndlovu said it had been a privilege and an honour to create television moments that placed marginalised languages at their centre. 'Muvhango gave an opportunity to an ignored language that has become one of the most celebrated in South Africa now,' he added. ALSO READ: 'Muvhango' axed by SABC 2 less than a year after relaunch Pimville to replace Muvhango Muvhango will be replaced by a new telenovela titled Pimville, produced by Bakwena Productions. SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli confirmed the news in May, stating that the show would help the channel regain audience share. 'Come August, we are launching a new telenovela called Pimville on SABC2, and based on that, we will be really driving that audience share back to SABC2. 'We're working hard to ensure that the script is relevant and that the storyline does what we need it to do,' she told TV with Thinus. NOW READ: WATCH: 'Come get me, I am not above the law' — Kelly Khumalo hits back at Advocate Teffo's Senzo Meyiwa murder claims
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Assistive Technology: Africa's Untapped Equaliser of Opportunity
Dr. Ashley Subbiah is the Manager of the Assistive Technology Centre at the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB), an organisation dedicated to promoting the rights, dignity, and full participation of blind and partially sighted persons in South Africa. Image: University of KwaZulu-Natal For millions of blind and partially sighted persons in South Africa and across Africa, each day is a stark reminder that access to assistive technology is not yet a lived reality. And for many, it remains a distant dream. In South Africa alone, there are an estimated 2.5 million people living with visual impairments. And yet, access to essential assistive devices such as screen readers, magnification software, Braille displays, and accessible mobile applications is largely restricted to those who can afford them or those lucky enough to benefit from under-resourced public systems or donor support. For the vast majority, the journey toward autonomy is blocked — not by a lack of ability, but by the absence of enabling tools. One of the most enduring misconceptions about assistive technology is that it's a special concession — a form of benevolence extended to those who are "less fortunate." This framing not only undermines the agency of persons with disabilities but also perpetuates a development model rooted in dependency. Assistive technology must be mainstreamed as a public good. It should be embedded in national policies alongside education, transport, housing, and healthcare. When a child in rural Limpopo cannot read their textbooks because their school does not provide accessible learning materials, it is not a misfortune — it is a rights violation. When a job-seeker in Lusaka or Nairobi is turned away because the online application platform is incompatible with screen reading software, it is not an inconvenience — it is systemic exclusion. Globally, assistive technology is a booming sector — yet most of the devices are developed in the Global North, priced in foreign currencies, and distributed by multinational companies that have little understanding of the African context. We need to flip this model. South Africa and its neighbours must invest in homegrown innovation. This means fostering partnerships between universities, tech entrepreneurs, disability organisations, and end-users. It means developing screen readers that support isiZulu, Sesotho, and Tshivenda — not just English. It means building orientation and mobility apps that understand local street layouts, transport options, and even electricity load-shedding patterns. And it means ensuring these innovations are co-designed by persons with disabilities, not imposed upon them. Imagine a world where affordable refreshable Braille displays are manufactured in Gauteng; where partially sighted learners in Uganda have access to magnification tools developed by local engineers; where a blind entrepreneur in Ghana uses a low-cost AI tool that reads product labels in Twi or Ewe. This is not utopia — it is within reach if we align our development goals with inclusive innovation strategies. Technology on its own cannot dismantle barriers — it must be part of a larger, inclusive system. Accessibility must be built into every level of public service delivery. Teachers must be trained to support blind learners using digital tools. Public libraries must stock accessible content. Employers must adopt inclusive hiring practices that incorporate the use of assistive devices as part of the workplace infrastructure — not as an afterthought. Health facilities must make provision for accessible patient communication. And perhaps most urgently, digital services — from banking apps to government portals — must be designed with universal access in mind. These systems must be guided by policies that go beyond compliance checklists. We need enforceable legislation that guarantees access to assistive technology across the lifespan: in early childhood, in higher education, in the workplace, and into old age. The issues South Africa grapples with are not unique. Across sub-Saharan Africa, blind and partially sighted persons face similar challenges: limited supply chains, poor device servicing infrastructure, inadequate training support, and prohibitively high costs. A regional strategy is long overdue. The African Union and regional bodies like SADC should spearhead continental platforms for assistive technology development, knowledge exchange, and procurement collaboration. We must move toward pooled resources, harmonised standards, and collective bargaining power to drive down costs and build sustainable distribution networks. At the same time, we must resist the one-size-fits-all approach. Assistive technology solutions must reflect the diverse linguistic, cultural, and geographic contexts of the continent. At its heart, assistive technology is not about the latest device or sleekest app. It is about freedom. The freedom to learn, work, parent, travel, and participate in civic life. It is about dignity — about being seen, heard, and included. When a blind child reads their first storybook in Braille, it is not a miracle of technology. It is a restoration of equality. When a visually impaired adult navigates a city independently with a smart cane or a navigation app, it is not a luxury — it is their right to movement. And when a partially sighted grandmother uses screen magnification to manage her own banking or read WhatsApp messages from her grandchildren, it is not digital wizardry — it is empowerment.
SowetanLIVE
02-06-2025
- General
- SowetanLIVE
Turning The Page: A deep dive into the state of reading in SA
In 2023, Phumudzo Ramakhetha took it upon himself to start compiling Tshedza English and Tshivenda dictionary, which he said was aimed at expanding young people's vocabulary. Growing up in the village of Gaba, just outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo, Phumudzo Ramakhetha knew the struggles of trying to communicate in English. #TurningThePage #LiteracyCrisisSA #Literacy
The South African
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
SABC finally pulls plug on 'Muvhango' after 28 years on air
After 28 years on air, the SABC has officially canned Muvhango , marking the end of the longest-running SABC2 soapie. Known for its compelling storytelling rooted in Tshivenda culture, Muvhango explored the clash between tradition and modern life. Muvhango debuted on SABC2 on 7 April 1997, and has survived many cancellation threats over the years. The show became a household name, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats for years. It introduced unforgettable characters like Edward, Doobsie, Chief Azwindini, Thandaza, James and the iconic Mukwevho royal family. Following much speculation about its future, Word of Mouth Productions and SABC2 confirmed the show's end in a joint statement. ' Muvhango gave an opportunity to an ignored language that has become one of the most celebrated languages in South Africa now. It has been a privilege and an honour to create moments on television where the marginalised languages were at the centre of them all,' says Muvhango creator and executive producer Duma Ndlovu. Acting group executive for video entertainment Lala Tuku added: 'For almost 30 years, Muvhango has been a pillar of SABC2's programming and a beloved part of South African television history. More than just a drama, Muvhango has been the champion of language, culture, identity and national pride; inspiring, entertaining, educating and uniting audiences across South Africa. 'As the television landscape continues to evolve, SABC2 looks forward to ushering in a new era of storytelling. One that builds on this incredible legacy by continuing to reflect the rich tapestry of South African life.' Muvhango's final episode will air on 8 August 2025 at 21:00. Pending official confirmation from the SABC, Pimville Queens is believed to replace the show starting on 11 August at 21:00. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
28-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Farewell Muvhango: SABC2 cancels beloved Venda soap after 28 years
SABC2 has cancelled the long-running soap Muvhango, with its final episode to air on Friday, 8 August. Muvhango faced challenges in recent years, including production halts due to unpaid cast and crew. Launched in 1997 as a one-episode-per-week drama, Muvhango grew into a five-day soap over its run. After 28 years on air, SABC2 has cancelled the long-running Venda soap opera Muvhango. 'Muvhango has captivated audiences with its rich storytelling, rooted in Tshivenda culture and explores the tension between tradition and modernity,' reads a statement from the channel. 'The soapie was introduced at a pivotal period when South Africa was transforming, and most vernacular dramas at the time were in the majority dialects. Tshivenda was seen as a minority language, and the show was a vehicle to showcase the culture,' continued the statement. Muvhango creator and executive producer Duma Ndlovu said: 'Muvhango gave an opportunity to an ignored language that has become one of the most celebrated languages in South Africa now. It has been a privilege and an honour to create moments on television where the marginalised languages were at the centre of them all.' 'For almost 30 years, Muvhango has been a pillar of SABC2's programming and a beloved part of South African television history. More than just a drama, Muvhango has been the champion of language, culture, identity and national pride, inspiring, entertaining, educating and uniting audiences across South Africa,' added Lala Tuku, acting group executive for Video Entertainment. 'As the television landscape continues to evolve, SABC 2 looks forward to ushering in a new era of storytelling, one that builds on this incredible legacy by continuing to reflect the rich tapestry of South African life.' The news of the cancellation comes after the soapie's tumultuous run over the past two years. The show, produced by Word of Mouth Pictures, was cancelled after it shut production in June last year after completing a shortened 130-episode season. In July, the SABC announced that the show would be revived for a 26th season with a new logo, an updated opening sequence, new characters, and compelling storylines. With a new one-year full season of 260 episodes. The season went on to premiere in August. However, in October last year, production stopped again after writers, crew and cast were not paid. In February, SABC spokesperson Mmoni Ngubane told News24 that the broadcaster had not ordered another season of Muvhango. 'The SABC can confirm that only one season of Muvhango is currently contracted and that the current contract is set to end on 31 July 2025. The SABC cannot comment on the future of the programme at this stage,' she said at the time. Muvhango was the South African public broadcaster's first Tshivenda language drama. It started in April 1997 with one episode per week and eventually expanded to become a five-day soap. The final episode will air on Friday, 8 August. SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli told TV analyst Thinus Ferreria that a new telenovela would be replacing the soapie. 'For SABC2, we're introducing a new telenovela starting in August, which is going to replace the existing Muvhango.' 'We are certain that, based on the storyline and where we are in the scriptwriting room, this should also be successful from a launch perspective.' Chabeli hopes the new telenovela will drive the audience back to SABC2. 'We're working hard to ensure that the script is relevant for the audiences and that the storyline will be effectively doing what we need it to do,' she said. The new show is produced by Bakwena Productions, who made headlines last year for controversies surrounding late payments or non-payment to cast, crew, and other stakeholders, including service providers, for their work on the BET Africa (DStv 129) series Pound 4 Pound. In April, the company visited News24 'to set the record straight.'
