FREE-to-air channel e.tv maintained its boycott of the South African Film and Television Awards, which took place at the weekend, and saw one of its shows, Rhythm City, taking home an award.
FIRM COMMITMENT: e.tv head Monde Twala
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A statement issued by e.tv channel head Monde Twala yesterday said the film and television awards (Safta) needed to be properly structured andorganised.

“We remain firm on our position to withdraw our participation until the Saftas are transparent, fair and fully representative of all stakeholders,” Twala said.

This raised questions when the channel’s soapie Rhythm City was announced as the winner for Best Writer or Writing Team of a Television Soap, after e.tv had already distanced itself from the event. There was no one to collect the “Golden Horn”.

Naomi Mokhele, communications and public affairs manager of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the organisers of the awards, said the e.tv programmes were entered by production houses, and although e.tv withdrew in the midst of the awards preparations, this did not affect their entries.

“The decision made by NFVF to keep e.tv’s programming in the Saftas ceremony further confirms the lack of structure and organised constitution that should be in place to guide the Saftas as an independent body,” Twala said.

Twala further said e.tv continued to invest in local content and was committed to developing content that was fresh and relevant to SA.

Source: The Sowetan – Sibusiso Shongwe