Tuesday, February 23, 2016

OVERHEARD. Is Monde Twala leaving as e.tv boss? Sources say Monde Twala has resigned and is exiting the broadcaster as e.tv channels managing director.


Has e.tv's Monde Twala resigned? SEE THE UPDATE TO THIS STORY BELOW.

That's what I've been hearing and what e.tv staff are wondering.

So far e.tv is quiet and hasn't responded to a media enquiry I made about it yesterday, asking e.tv if what the grapevine is buzzing about is indeed true.

A few days ago sources told TVwithThinus that Monde Twala, an accomplished and well-liked TV executive who is the managing director for e.tv channels division, has tendered his resignation at the red letter free-to-air broadcaster.

"It basically leaves Marlon Davids in charge," quipped a source. [The talented Marlon Davids has been e.tv's general manager for content, strategy and planning for the past year and a half.]

No word from e.tv on who would be replacing Monde Twala if the talented televisionary is moving on, that would add to the top management changes at eMedia Investments with Patrick Conroy becoming the new managing director of the OpenView HD satellite TV platform and prof. Anton Harber heading up eNCA (DStv 403) as editor-in-chief from March.

If Monde Twala leaves e.tv - where the last few years he's been overseeing a growing slate of channels, popular local soaps and a collection of steadily expanding local programming that strongly resonates with viewers - his exit will follow closely after the jump of Gideon Khobane who is leaving his Randburg office as the director of M-Net's general entertainment channels to become the new SuperSport CEO from March.

M-Net hasn't yet said who is replacing Gideon Khobane as M-Net's new director for its entertainment channels, telling me an announcement will be made soon.

The experienced Monde Twala joined e.tv from the SABC and was first the executive producer for the channel's soaps Backstage and Rhythm City, its now defunct breakfast show Morning Edition and eSibobo, before becoming group head for e.tv's channels and then getting the managing director title.

UPDATE: e.tv tells that Monde Twala has not resigned. He has received a possible job offer and is considering it.