Why Muvhango snubbed the SAFTAs

Written by TVSA Team from the blog News on 01 Apr 2014
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As reported on TVSA in our SAFTAs coverage, SABC2 soapie Muvhango hasn't entered the awards this year.

The soapie, which recently extended to five a days a week, is noticeably missing from every soapie category and isn't even in the viewer voting category which means that fans can't make their voices heard for the show.

So what's the story? Why hasn't the soapie entered? We asked and series creator Duma Ndlovu told us:

"Last year we took a decision to revamp our brand and take the entire Muvhango production through a complete overhaul. The creative team then took a decision that entering awards ceremonies was not bringing any values to the production and we therefore decided to concentrate on building our brand and creating an awareness with our viewers. We therefore opted to skip the SAFTA’s and concentrate on improving our brand.

We do think that the decision, (to work on the brand) has paid dividends as our viewers have connected with the changes. That, for us, is bigger and better than any award!"

Was it the right decision? You be the judge.

15 Comments

lejazz
01 Apr 2014 18:04

Saftas are just pointless awards, hopefully one day they will be better

Green.arrow
01 Apr 2014 19:56

What a lame reason. Saftas have thus far left a lot to be desired, but they are definately better than nothing. The reason behind the snub is squabbles of some nature. Hopefuly a mole closer to the situation will spill

babytee
01 Apr 2014 21:42

Your creative team is not creative. It shouldn't be called creative team. Are you afraid of the competition that you might not win? To me it looks like these is just an a excuse of being scared of the tough competition. SAFTA is a huge brand and it could actually make any tv show. To popular.

Cande
02 Apr 2014 08:30

Very Lame reason by Muvhango

dennnel
02 Apr 2014 09:39

makisto - I work in the industry, I have even been a judge at the SAFTAS, your friends are right, it is crap. I quit being a judge in the middle of it because my issue was the process. I understand why they say it is racist - people who don't even watch these shows are judging. And tghey have only two episodes to watch. How do you make a proper honest decision out of 2 episodes. Then on top of that because they are not really paid for it, except for the food when they finally have a meeting, and petrol money - they don't care. They then decide to choose a show out of popularity. Trust as badly as Isidingo is doing right now, don't be surprised if it wins. Most judges are white, and that's the truth. If not, it will be Isibaya, not because they watch it but because it is popular on social media. I was appalled when I was in there, I pulled out.

People work so hard in this industry with tiny budgets and they pull off great work. Then you get a judge who makes comment about some American show comparing to SA show. I'm like, dude, don't even compare, it is ridiculous. If the viewers could know the conditions we work under, the ridiculous budgets we get. I think every SA writer, director, DOP, AD or anything should be given an award actually.

dennnel
02 Apr 2014 09:43

And they made me judge some Gospel shows, for presenting - I was like that is not my genre first of all. Secondly, I am not a fan of gospel, I don't care about it. So, how am I going to be fair to the poor presenters because deep I don't care.

I pulled because I suggested they give to people who know about this genre, people who work in it, like your Lindelani Buthelezi, Rebecca Mlope and many others. Not me who doesn't give a damn. I was told that's not how they work... Well, other people they just do it with no care. I care because I think it should be fair.

And don't get me started about other shows that get pulled off the nomination list because someone at the SAFTA committee doesn't like the producer of that show - they flex their muscles to sort out personal vendettas. SAFTAS are pathetic. Big Ups to Duma. Yes, there is beef but if you complain they label you bitter. So, yes it will go on as pathetic as it is.

Cande
02 Apr 2014 09:52

ooh Dennel now it makes sense.

Nunumsi
02 Apr 2014 10:11

dennnel thank you for giving us behind the scenes picture, the perfect picture of what you're talking about it's Miss SA judges

Ingenuity
02 Apr 2014 10:41

I am with babytee on this one, I am not deeply enamoured with Muvhango but I do watch the omnibus on saturday but I find myself tune off in the middle of an episode and here are my reasons:
1. The acting is horendous (I find myself trying to find who to blame, whether the actors or the directors)
2. There is nothing creative above the creative team (recycling stories is not creative, how many women are going to come into Thandaza's life and try and steal her boyfriend or husband, it started with Edward, then Pheko, Ndalamo and now Ranthumeng, as they say, it is the case of same script, different cast (in this case different man).

So, as crap as the SAFTAs may be, Muvhango needs to revamp and come up with something different, Thandaza should fight for her life or something, I don't know, they are the creatives, entertain us.

Onkez
03 Apr 2014 05:56

I am just so TIRED of everyone linking every imagineable problem to racism and how white people have it in for them. So what if you were given a gospel show to judge? Ugh.

dennnel
03 Apr 2014 14:27

Onkez - how do you judge something that you have no clue of, and have no interest in. It's like saying someone who is not in the music industry, not a singer, doesn't have a music ear must go jusge Idols.

That is why Idols America had Simon Cowel, besides being a creator, he has produced so many hit groups and musicians. Randy Jackson - I would not even start oh his CV of music, and they get musicians to judge. You can say 'ugh' all you like, it is the truth. And we have to raise these things rather than complain in the corner - I'm not one of those people who complain and grumble in the corner, I make my opinion. That is why I brought it up with SAFTA comittee, yes they don't care but they know the truth and that someone told them the truth.

Stand for the truth @Onkez and you will have a fulfilled life. I wasn't going to be happy with myself judging people on something I don't know about. It is unfair to those people. That is a fact.

Onkez
03 Apr 2014 17:05

Hi dennel. Thanks for the thorough response. I immediately wanted to delete my first comment after I posted it because of the gospel comment I made. In retrospect it was a stupid thing to say purely because of the reasons you have just given. However, I still stand behind the first point I made. I feel like so many people cry wolf about racism and it has gotten way out of control. Be it bad service at a restaurant or not being allowed in a lane when driving, some people just pull the race card and play it all night. I was annoyed that you didn't give a definitive example of where racism was clearly visible for all to see during the SAFTA judging process. All you said was that judges were white. Thanks again for tackling my stupid comment in a cool and calm manner.

vuxy
04 Apr 2014 11:45

wooow Dennel thanks hey.

FLYINGBIRD
04 Apr 2014 19:10

Thanx Dennel...To me Muvhango is far better than this fake soppie Generattions. its real AFRICAN LIKE isibaya/

evo00243
07 Apr 2014 23:23

to much culture in Mvhango that way they are not listed as soapie.

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