Madiba is Free: AYISECACE

World On Press

Today at the Johannesburg Millpark Hospital Press Conference held. Attended by The Deputy President Kgalema Motlante. This has been over 48 hours since the 92 year old President Mandelawent for checkup. The speculations and faulty rumors around Mandela’s health were cleared by the Chief Commander present. On the Panel, Mandla Mandela and CEO from the Mandela foundation. Just after the press conference saw Mandla and his other older uncle going to the VIP private section were Mandela is said to be. During this time a military ambulance on the green covered parking saw people moving in and out. Motlante confirmed Madiba is in good health condition. Motlante and Graca were even sharing jokes at his private ward. He is unable to be out of bed at the moment. Winnie Mandela and Graca’s grand daughter with some family members went out of the VIP parking area looking and feeling good. We have not yet seen Madiba’s face. Staff members were told not to give out any information as we tried to source out. Security guard confirmed that Mandela has been submitted to the hospital yet not sure if he was still around. A group of cars left the hospital with the Military ambulance, as we were standing outside we could not see if Mandela was inside or not. The cars went to Mandela House in Houghton Johannesburg with the Ambulance.

Meanwhile Motlante was not sure when is Mandela going home as there to be security checkups before his exit. When we left the Millpark Hospital things were back to normal. The Big question; what happened to Mabida, was he really Ill and at the Millpark Hospital? “We can confirm that Mandela was discharged and is in good health” concludes Motlante. Meanwhile President Jacob Zuma has today, 28 January 2011, left Davos, Switzerland where he attended the World Economic Forum and he is now en route to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to attend the 16th Summit of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU). His last words about Mandela “We urge the media to afford him the dignity and respect that he is entitled to as the country's founding democratic President, as a national hero and also as a citizen of the Republic. The media should balance the quest for stories with acting within the bounds of human decency and ensuring the respect for human dignity. The doctors also need to be allowed to do their work without undue pressure.” President J. Zuma has a final say.
AYISECACE!

…and the SAFTA Nominees are: AYISECACE

World On Press

Get ready for this year’s Golden Horn Awards. The 5th SAFTA Awards nomination launch held at SterKinekor Cinema-Rosebank. Whilst other fellow journos were camping outside Millpark hospital, trying to get a blood out of Mandela. We were busy attending the SAFTAS nomination announcement. Each year the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) of South Africa oversee these awards, appointed by the industry as the custodians. Attended by celebrities, government officials, nominees and media. On the nominee night embraced by UyandaMbuli,Akin Omotoso, Sechaba of Isidingo, Brenda Ngxoli, ThokozaniNkosi,Media Guru- Lesley Mofokeng,Dj Switch,MakganoMammabolo,MotshabiTyelele and others. Guest were treated in style and given a taste of what is to come during the two days ceremony.

This year’s SAFTAS will be held at Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams, Melrose Arch. I must say The State Theatre-Pretoria has been the best host venue with first class security. The first event to be held on Sunday 20th of February will award winners in the Non-fiction categories, followed by the second session which will award the Fiction categories held on Sunday 27th of February. “We are very excited about the event this year. The process of the past 9 months from call for entries to the judging process and now the run up to the event has been a labour of love for all concerned and hosting the awards in the Madame Zingara Theatre of Dreams will be a delightfully daring experience,” says Azania Muendane, NFVF Head of Marketing and Public Affairs.

“The NFVF congratulate this year’s nominees and wish them all the best for the main event where all winners will be revealed. The NFVF, the SAFTAS Committee as well as the judging panel are amazed at the support the awards received this year. Eighteen (18) feature films were submitted to contest in the 5thSAFTAs, tripling the number of entries in this genre compared to last year’s awards,” says Eddie Mbalo NFVF CEO. Mbalo further emphasized that the increase in the features entry is testament that the industry is indeed thriving. “With commitment to supporting the industry by the Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile, we are guaranteed that the industry will grow to its full potential as a business sector and an economic contributor to the country.”

Dreams will come through at Madame Zingare’sThatre of Dreams… and the nominees are: This time 7de Laan gets one nomination for Best Ensemble in TV Soap. E-TV’s Rhythm City is nominated six times. On top is the popular soapy Isidingo with 10 nominations. Life Above All the movie is leading the movie category followed by Spud with six nominations. On the best supporting soapactor ‘Senzo’ Thami Mqgolo of Generation is up against Isidingo’s Lesley fong and Maurice Paige. Melanie Bala of ‘Let's Chat with Mel’ is nominated under Best talk show category against Afrikaans shows ‘Dis hoe dit is met Steve’ and ‘Robinson Regstreeks.’ Be sure not to miss the 5th SAFTAS. AYISECACE