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Cape Town – The SABC has signed up Bongani Bingwa to replace Peter Ndoro as its new prime time news co-anchor on SABC News (DStv 404).
Bingwa who has been with M-Net's (DStv 101) Carte Blanche for 11 years, has finally cut ties with the current affairs show.
He continued making appearances on Carte Blanche the past few months despite joining Primedia's 702 radio station in July 2017 for a regular presenter slot that made him less available to travel and film inserts. But despite joining the SABC he's just dropping Carte Blanche and will continue with his radio show.
Thrilled to be joining @SABCNewsroom - daunting task ahead. It's a new challenge as I say goodbye to @carteblanchetv - 11 of the best years of my career! And just to be clear, I am NOT leaving my first love, @Radio702. I just needed to still say Ubusuku Benzolo!!!
— Bongani Bingwa - 702 Breakfast & SABC PrimeTime (@bonglez) March 8, 2018
The SABC says Bingwa will co-host the 18:00 to 21:00 timeslot on SABC News next to Francis Herd, starting from Monday, 12 March.
This will include doing the SABC's flagship English TV news bulletin at 21:00 that is simulcast on SABC3.
"As part of our continued efforts to stay relevant in the highly dynamic and competitive broadcasting space, it is crucial that we recruit the best talent that will deliver cutting-edge news and current affairs programmes which are well researched, balanced and fair," says Phathiswa Magopeni, the SABC's new head of news and current affairs, about Bingwa's hire.
The SABC says Bingwa brings to the public broadcaster a wealth of knowledge in journalism for both radio and television news and current affairs.
Bingwa says: "I am excited to be part of the changes at the SABC and to join a team that will be creating a new legacy for the public broadcaster."
Watch an interview here:
Meanwhile Peter Ndoro, fresh back on SABC News after taking time to "rest" following botched news reading attempts in January and February has been moved to anchoring on the SABC News channel in the afternoons between 15:00 and 18:00.
Bingwa's new anchor job creates some awkwardness for Carte Blanche that's reaching its 30th anniversary in August on M-Net as South Africa's longest running investigative magazine show.
As one of the longest serving Carte Blanche faces, his on-screen absence come August detracts from the collective number of years of on-air experience the existing presenters pool will be able to boast about when celebrating the venerable show's big birthday in a few months' time.
M-Net tells Channel24 that "as Bongani will be anchoring news on SABC, he will not be able to stay on as a Carte Blanche presenter"."Bongani has been a great asset to Carte Blanche since starting his television journalism career with M-Net's multiple award-winning current affairs programme a decade ago. We are proud of his achievements and would like to thank him for his contribution to Carte Blanche over the years."
