Yes lol, the blurb of this article is true. In last night's show at the Saftas, which was not broadcast on TV as reported by Tashi Tagg that the show has no broadcaster this year, Journalists were banished to some boring space with a dysfunctional screen and actors couldn't sit inside and wanted to chat to the media while the show was on. The organisers still don't know if any of the channels will edit the show and convert it into an hour show for broadcast.
The media busy at work
Basically journalists were not allowed inside because the venue was too small. The venue in Melrose Arch was a disappointment. Our rants didn't help. Our screen had very low quality volume and I asked the techinical team to assist but I was told they couldn't do anything about it. Our free R100 drink tickets were not accepted at the bar and we only got offered drinks much later in the evening.
Enough with that, let's talk about what went down last night. The show started approximately 1 hour late, that is 19:30 instead of 18:30 because the stars of the show (actors and actresses) arrived very late and who can blame them, the Saftas are not taking themselves seriously, after all!
Tsholo Monedi
As we sat outside, I couldn't take it and I wanted something to write about. Since I couldn't write about what went down inside the "claustrophibic" hall, I started making ups and downs to chat to some famous people who were outisde just for fresh air because the show was boring. The gorgoeus Tsholo Monedi (Muvhango's Meme) was happy to finally meet with me as we have been speaking on the phone for the past 3 years or so for stories I have written about Meme. Did I mention that she is far more beautiful than in magazines and on TV?
Lelo with Makisto
Lelo spotted Cande and I waiting by the red carpert to snap pictures and the two friends started talking so being the nice person that she is, Lelo asked Cande to introduce her TVSA mate so I could also be part of their conversation. Given what I wrote about in last week's Monday World, Cande didn't know what to say so I saved her and said: "Hi Lelo, I hope you wont beat me up, I'm Makisto," I said and she replied. "Why would I beat you up?" She replied and that was it. However, later when I was busy taking red carpet pictures, her co-blogger Kiki Marli arrived. Like a true gossip Queen that most of us love, she started chatting to Kiki about me and I could see them with my Mad Eye Moody's third eye that they were pointing some fingers at me. Who cares? I must say that Lelo is beautiful, is a great soul and has an infectious smile.
While busy with my ups and downs, I spotted Motlatsi Mafatshe (Isidindo's Sechaba). I quizzed him about Isidingo and he told me that the show has renewed his contract for another year and things are looking good and promised me that Sechaba will be causing even more trouble.
Nna le Phuti Khomo re be re thabetše go bolela šegagešo gomme re iketlile kudu. Re ipshinne kudu ka go no boledišana fela bo no bontšha gore madume ga a tšee sa motho.
I also spoke with Mzwandile Ngubeni (Spirit Sundae presenter) who told me how tired he was after he drove straight to the ceremony from the ANC's manifesto launch in North West. I asked him if he will be voting for the ANC in the local gov elections and his reponse was: "Can you really ask me that question?" and I was with my friend Themba Nofemele (Muvhango's Ranthumeng) and Themba was like, is your question for real and I replied with a resounding yes. They both replied and I can't remember their exact sentences but I do know that Mzwandile's phrases had words like loyalty, life time, Madiba, "who I am" and the people.
Meiki and some YoTV kid
I spotted Shwashi looking very bored and shim didn't make any effort to dress herself up. It was like shim was going to her gogo's spaza shop to fetch makwinya. For someone who always makes big noise about how people are dressed, she should first show shims how to dress.
Makisto and KB with someone
I chatted with the Sowetan journo Edward Tsumele and I asked him why their paper's editor, Bongani Keswa was suspended and he wouldn't divulge the reasons. In a true journalist's style, he tried to drive me away from my question in style forgetting that I am a journo just like him and I went back to my question until he gave invalid reasons of "maybe readership is declining" (as if I don't know or read the Annual Bereau of Circulation figures) while I wanted him to confirm whether it's because of the actor who allegedly raped his child on Xmas Day because their editor printed an article that was descriptive of the alleged rapist, thus possibly making the actor's child known, which is against journalism standards.
Best supporting actor winner, Thami (Generations' Senzo) told me that from here on, it's acting and more acting and putting all his commitment in his work just as before. You go girl, arg sorry, you go go gay, oh no, you go dude!
Blaqueboi and Makisto
I also spotted Blaqueboi who was there doing his Class Act thingie and he and I had a great chat. He is such a great person. He even interviewed me for his Class Act thingie but I doubt it will make it past through the editing room lol considering that he had to interview the likes of Life Time Achievement repcipient, mam' Lillian Dube and many other famous folks. I will post the "Let's get to know Phil Blaqueboi Mphela" somewhere early next week or later this week lol.
By 23:00 when we left, the show was still going on and on with the hall half-empty and the comperes, poor Joey Rasdien and Thami Ngubeni having to keep on glowing and entertaining the remaining people.
Sechaba and comapny
I can go on and on forever about it but I shall leave it there. I will post the red carpet and stattuetes pics in two takes.
Zizo Beda and Kuli Roberts
I must mention that the Saftas's publicist Naomi is very welcoming and I like her. Cande and I were pissed that the likes of Kuli Roberts and some other "special" media were allowed inside the hall where as many of us were banished to the outside. The general consensus amongst we media people was that the show must just go back to the South African State Theatre in Pretoria because it is a better venue.
Pictures through Makisto's lens