Times Of Swaziland: DStv declares  ‘Africa month’

DStv declares  ‘Africa month’
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BY NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA on 13/05/2013 06:18:00


EZULWINI – MultiChoice Swaziland staged a celebration to recognise this month
as the Africa month on DStv.
The cultural celebration was held on Saturday afternoon at the Mantenga Cultural
Village.
Africa Day falls on May 25 but MultiChoice held its celebration earlier.
Speaking during the event that had an African flavour, Phumi Drummond,
MultiChoice General Manager said they believed there was so much to celebrate,
which was why this celebration was held.
“The African continent is home to amazing landscapes, diverse cultures and
beautiful people,” she said.
“It’s a source of inspiration and a beacon of hope to many countries and
people beyond the continent. It holds a notable rich history. That is why we are
celebrating the whole month of May with a special focus on local content.”
She said MultiChoice had a firm commitment to the development of the continent.
“Our leadership on premium pay television technology and entertainment
continues to keep Africa connected in real rime with the world through the DStv
platform.”
She said they were a responsible investor and operator devoted to promoting and
projecting Africa, its successes and the aspiration of its people in a coherent
and sustainable way by making significant investments in African broadcasting
and film production.
“We are committed to partnering with local stakeholders in Africa, tailoring
its operations to suit local needs while maintaining the highest levels of
service and product quality, which have enabled the company to operate with an
understanding of, and respect for, the many different cultures found in the
continent.”
She said MultiChoice had a strong commitment to address social ethical issues,
with a key focus on Education and the furthering of Development in Africa.
“There is increasing demand across the continent for the localisation of TV
content and we are committed to creating and supporting African content, made by
Africans, for Africans, reflecting Africa back on itself,” she said.
DStv, as befits its position as Africa’s leading pay television brand, carried
the best, most comprehensive offering of African content available on satellite
television.
Big Brother is back!
EZULWINI - The new series of Big Brother will be launched on May 26, 2013.
This was revealed by MultiChoice General Manager Phumi Drummond.
Big Brother is a reality game show franchise created by John de Mol. The premise
of the show is a group of people living together in a large house, isolated from
the outside world and continuously monitored by television cameras. Each series
lasts for about three months, with 12 to 16 contestants entering the house. To
win the final cash prize, a contestant must survive periodic evictions and be
the last one standing.
“That is why we are celebrating the whole month of May with a special focus on
local content including the launch of a new series of Big Brother on May 26,
2013,” she said.
She also said the CBB MultiChoice African Journalist Awards have been
encouraging excellence in journalism across the continent for 18 years.
“The annual DStv Eutelsat Star Awards, launched in June 2011 and rolled out in
45 countries across Africa, is a competition targeted at secondary and high
school pupils with the aim of promoting an interest in Science and
Technology,” she said.
“From more than 500 entries, a Swazi pupil achieved position 12 in the
competition” she added.
She said last year, a Swazi pupil, Charles Finch from Salesian High School
achieved second position overall in the essay completion.
“Charles has just returned from visits to the SA Space Centre and MultiChoice
offices in South Africa,” she said.
“The visits were part of the process for doing well in the competition. In
recognition of the effort of Charles and other Pupils of Salesian High School,
the school has also been provided with a MultiChoice Resource Centre.”
Spicing up the event was the Mantenga Cultural Dance Group that provided
entertainment.