27 July 2009: The newly appointed Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Lulu Xingwana on Saturday 25 July visited the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) which celebrates its 30th Anniversary. On her arrival, she was met by the CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation, Mr. Eddie Mbalo and the Director of the festival Mr. Peter Rorvik. The Minister praised the Durban International Film Festival for its 30 years of contribution to the development of the South African film industry.

"The Durban International Film Festival has through the years become South Africa's leading exhibition platform for local and international productions. It has demonstrated excellence in audience development programmes and contribution to the training and development of filmmakers", the Minister said whilst addressing the staff of the festival.

The minister was impressed by how the festival has managed to bring together different stakeholders, at local, provincial and national level. She commented, "I am glad to see the NFVF, IDC, the Provincial and local government all pulling together to deliver an excellent festival".

The Minister managed to watch Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky) which was the official opening film for the festival and Shirley Adams, another DV8 produced film.

During the Minister's walkabout through the festival, she managed to interact with young fimmakers from across the African continent, who are attending the Talent Campus Durban. Talent Campus is one of the most important programmes of the festival, held in cooperation with the Berlinale Talent Campus, which provides intensive programmes of workshops and seminars delivered by film professional, academics and intellectuals.

In its landmark 30th year the DIFF presents over 200 screenings at 27 venues across the Durban district. For more information and programme visit: www.cca.ukzn.ac.za

The NFVF will participate at the festival throughout the duration of the 30th Durban International Film Festival, which commenced on Thursday 23 July, and ends on Monday 03 August 2009.

Released on behalf of the NFVF

The ANC has again played down fears that mines will be nationalised. Party secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, says this is not recognised in the Freedom Charter. He was responding to mounting debates following requests by the ANC Youth League and Cosatu for the nationalisation of mines.

Mantashe also reiterated the ruling party's committment to improved service delivery. He says they will audit all councillors and check the record of service delivery in municipalities under the ANC's control.

Mantashe's comment comes as protests against poor service delivery continue across the country.

Tensions are reportedly running high at Kgakala Township in Leeudoringstad, in the North West, following violent protests by residents.

The residents went on the rampage late last night and barricaded all the main routes leading to the township, demanding the council to answer for the lack of services in the area.  They also threatened to prevent people from going to work and to disrupt normal schooling until their demands are met.

Source: SABC NEWS

Members of two SABC unions have decided in principle to go on strike. This after management put forward a final wage increase offer, said to be 8.5% on the table.

The Labour unions namely the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Media Workers' Association of South Africa (Mwasa) say they will plan the details and date of the anticipated strike in private. Mwasa Chairperson Themba Gasa says a strike will not work if SABC Radio and Television continues to broadcast.

A third union, Broadcast, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union (Bemawu), earlier indicated that its members were willing to accept the 8.5% offer.

Meanwhile, SABC management says it respects the workers' right to strike. It says it will do everything in its power not to let the SABC's audience down.

Source: SABC NEWS

The reports of Mr. Jackson’s death ricocheted around the world with remarkable speed. The news led Friday morning newscasts in Japan.

Mr. Jackson was one of the icons of MTV’s early days in the 1980’s. Our colleague Steve Reddicliffe says that the music channel is now playing the music videos for “Beat It” and “Thriller,” accompanied by a “breaking news” graphic on the screen about the singer’s death.

Entertainer Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press.

A Los Angeles fire official told CNN that paramedics arrived at Michael Jackson's home after a 911 call.

1 of 2  Jackson, 50, had been in a coma at the hospital, sources told CNN.

Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles, California, Thursday morning.

Family members were told of the situation and were either at the hospital or en route, Oxman said.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told CNN a 911 call came in from a west Los Angeles residence at 12:21 p.m.

Ruda said Jackson was treated and transferred to the UCLA Medical Center.

Asked specifics of the patient's condition, he said he could not discuss them because of federal privacy laws.

The music icon from Gary, Indiana, is known as the "King of Pop." Jackson had many No. 1 hits and his "Thriller" is the best-selling album of all time.  Jackson "as big as it gets"

Jackson is the seventh of nine children in a well-known musical family. He has three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II.

At the medical center, every entrance to the emergency room was blocked by security guards. Even hospital staffers were not permitted to enter. A few people stood inside the waiting area, some of them crying.

A large crowd was also gathering outside the hospital, according to video footage.

Outside Jackson's Bel Air home, police arrived on motorcycles. The road in front of the home was closed in an attempt to hold traffic back, but several people were gathered outside the home.

SABC3 viewers fell in love with her on the first season of Prison Break, which premiered on the channel early 2008. We saw her move from being a medical doctor to being a fugitive with the rest of FOX River Prison escapees.

Sarah Wayne Callies who plays Dr Sara Tancredi makes her ‘break-out’ from the addictive drama series after months of speculations. The full story is still a blur, but sources confirm that Sarah has decided to call it quits after the birth of her first child. However, SABC3 viewers shouldn’t be alarmed as this soft-spoken beauty will still be a prevalent character on the shows third season scheduled to launch on the channel later this year.

Don’t miss the return of this exciting drama series…

Prison Break 3 launch-date to be confirmed.