Newsletter
- December 2024 & January 2025
LATEST NEWS by Jennis Williamson
As we approach the end of 2024, we want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredible year for Talent-Etc™. 2024 has been our most productive and successful since we opened our doors in 2009, and we’ve achieved new heights in creativity, collaboration, and growth.
2024 HAS BEEN FILLED WITH UNFORGETTABLE MILESTONES INCLUDING:
1. Launch of Stralend Season 1, and upcoming season 2
Stralend on kykNET has been one of our biggest milestones of the year. The show continues to grow in popularity and has been a central focus of our production efforts. As we head into shooting season 2 will premiere on kykNET on 5 January 2025. The success of the first season laid the foundation for the next chapter, and we can’t wait to share this exciting new season with our audience.
2. Record-Breaking Year of Production
2024 has been Talent-Etc™’s most productive year since our inception in 2009. From new show launches to expanding our production capabilities, we’ve significantly increased our output and set new records in terms of both the volume and quality of work we’ve delivered. This includes a mix of television, commer-cials, branded content, and digital projects, all made possible by our talented team, clients, creative col-laborators, and trusted partners.
3. New international Partnerships & Collaborations
This year, we’ve also forged strategic partnerships that will help Talent-Etc™ grow even further. These collaborations have opened exciting opportunities for cross-platform projects, international co-productions, and brand-new creative ventures. We are proud to have partnered with some of the most influential names in media, production, and advertising to bring innovative projects to life.
4. Team Growth & Development
2024 has been a year of significant team expansion at Talent-Etc™. As we continue to scale and evolve, we’ve welcomed several new talented individuals to our team across various departments. Their fresh perspectives, skills, and energy have been instrumental in driving our success this year.
Additionally, we are proud to announce that due to the hard work, dedication, and growth of key team members, we are making promotions to reflect their exceptional contributions. These promotions repre-sent a deep commitment to nurturing talent from within and ensuring our team members have the support and opportunity to grow professionally.
5. Strengthened Client Relationships
One of the highlights of 2024 has been our deepened relationships with existing clients and the success-ful delivery of large-scale projects. We’ve maintained a focus on collaboration and communication, ensur-ing that our clients’ visions are realized with creativity and precision. Our ability to deliver outstanding results on time and on budget has strengthened our reputation as a trusted partner in the entertainment and production industries.
6. Expanding Digital & Social Media Presence
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Talent-Etc™ has successfully enhanced its online presence and social media engagement. Our growing following across platforms has allowed us to connect with fans and partners in more dynamic and interactive ways. Through exclusive behind-the-scenes content, live updates from the set, and engaging with audiences directly, we’ve fostered a stronger sense of com-munity around our projects.
7. Investment in Technology & Innovation
In 2024, Talent-Etc™ made strategic investments in cutting-edge production technology. These techno-logical upgrades ensure we continue to deliver the highest quality service and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry.
8. Launch of New Initiatives & Projects
Beyond Stralend, 2024 has seen the development of several exciting new projects in the works. We’ve been busy laying the groundwork for even more thrilling productions in the coming year. These initiatives reflect our commitment to expanding our creative portfolio and exploring new ways to tell compelling stories.
9. Celebrating 15 Years of Talent-Etc™
Finally, 2024 marks Talent-Etc™’s 15th anniversary—a significant milestone for our company. Over the years, we’ve built a legacy of creativity, collaboration, and excellence, and we couldn’t have reached this point without the support of our incredible team, partners, and clients. We look forward to many more years of storytelling, innovation, and growth!
As we close out 2024, we’re excited about the many opportunities that lie ahead.
Here’s to an exciting 2025 and beyond!
Love and Light
Jennis
CREW-ETC by TANIA DE VILLIERS & FRANKIE OPPERMAN
Dear Crew-ETC Family,
As the holiday season approaches, I want to express my deepest gratitude for an incredible year. Your collaboration, trust, and hard work have made 2024 truly
magical.
To our talented crew and wonderful clients—thank you for being part of this amazing
journey. Your passion and support have made 2024 a year to remember. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season full of love, laughter, and rest. Here’s to an even brighter 2025!
Tania
SOCIAL-ETC by Thulani Ndzotyana
Reflecting on a Thriving 2024: A Big Thank You to Our Influencers!
As 2024 draws to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge all the incredible work our influencers have done this year. You’ve embraced campaigns, shared authentic stories, and built connections that go be-yond the screen. Together, we’ve reached new heights, and we couldn’t be prouder of the dynamic collaborations we’ve fostered.
To all the PR agencies who’ve worked with us: thank you for trusting us to bring your visions to life. While we encourage direct communication through DMs, we’re especially passionate about creating partnerships that go deeper—collaborations that last longer than a single post or campaign. These ongoing rela-tionships allow us to deliver more impactful results and build stronger bonds be-tween brands and audiences.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to announce a few changes that will help us elevate these partnerships even further. As part of this, we’re asking our in-fluencers to meet us halfway by:
1. Providing regular insights into your engagement and follower de-mographics.
2. Sharing updated analytics to ensure we’re always aligned with the best opportunities for you and our clients.
Transparency and collaboration are key to achieving success together. These small but meaningful efforts will help us advocate for you more effectively and ensure you’re positioned for growth in every campaign.
Thank you for being the heartbeat of what we do. Let’s finish 2024 strong and look forward to an even brighter 2025, full of opportunities, creativity, and suc-cess.
With gratitude,
Thulani Ndzotyana
KZN By Fundi Zwane & Justin Nanak
As the curtains close on 2024, we find ourselves filled with immense pride and gratitude. This past year has been an extraordinary journey, defined by the unmatched talent and ded-ication of our incredible artists in the KZN division. You’ve brought powerful, transformative stories to life, captivating audiences across South Africa and beyond.
To every artist who stepped into the spotlight this year: we celebrate you! Your passion, resilience, and creativity have not only left a mark on the industry but continue to inspire us all.
Now, as we turn the page to 2025, the air is buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Janu-ary has already greeted us with a variety of promising new briefs, and we’re eager to wit-ness the magic you’ll bring to your next roles.
As we embrace the festive season, let’s also prioritise self-care.
Our tip for you: Find moments of stillness amidst the chaos. Whether it’s through medita-tion, journaling, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, nurturing your inner peace will pre-pare you for the adventures of the new year.
May your holiday season be filled with laughter, joy, and the company of loved ones. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and unforgettable performances. Take time to rest, recharge, and prepare for the opportunities ahead. Remember, Talent ETC is here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Here’s to a festive season of cheer and a 2025 that shines as brightly as you do!
Warm regards,
Justin & Fundi
LIFE-ETCby JC Snooke
Life ETC – A Look Back at 2024 and What’s Next!
What an incredible year it has been for Life ETC! From captivating films to engaging lifestyle reality shows and bold steps into advertising, 2024 has been a year to remember.
Our main goal has always been to deliver outstanding productions, and this year, we proudly ventured into the world of advertising. Teaming up with The Latitude Group, we created a series of impactful ads for Alex Forbes, which are currently streaming on DSTV. We hope you get a chance to catch them soon!
But that’s not all—there’s so much more to look forward to. Some fantastic reality shows are in the works, and we can’t wait to share them with you. Kicking off the new year is Stralend, launching on the 5th of January 2025 on kykNET! This exciting show promises to bring inspiring stories, unforget-table moments, and all the sparkle you’ve been waiting for.
A Special Christmas Wish
As the festive season approaches, we want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a joyous Christmas filled with love, laughter, and inspi-ration. May this season bring you peace, happiness, and the motivation to chase your dreams in the year ahead.
Thank you for being part of our journey this year. Here’s to brighter screens, bigger dreams, and even greater achievements in 2025!
Warm holiday wishes,
The Life ETC Team
THEATREby Katie Groves
As the festive season rolls in and the year winds down, it’s time to reflect, rest, and prepare for what promises to be an explosive 2025. December is not just about taking a well-deserved break but also about sharpening your tools and getting ready for the opportuni-ties ahead.
This month, I want to focus on the importance of resting, recovering, and preparing. Take this time to breathe, recharge, and take stock of everything you’ve accomplished this year. It’s been a whirlwind, and you deserve to celebrate your wins!
At the same time, use December wisely to rehone your skills and grow in new areas. Go to dance classes, dive into vocal prep, or pick up a new skill that could add to your versatility. Whether it’s tackling that tricky monologue or finally nailing a new accent, make sure you’re in top shape for the coming year.
Speaking of 2025—it’s going to be a big one for the theatre division. There are exciting shifts on the horizon, and I’ll share more details soon. For now, just know that the stage is set for even bigger opportunities, and we’re going to hit the ground running. Theatre artists, be ready to work even harder than you did this year!
As we wrap up 2024, I want to wish all of you a joyous holiday season filled with love, laughter, and a little sparkle. May you find moments to rest, reflect, and enjoy the people who matter most. Let’s come back refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on 2025 with everything we’ve got!
Here’s to another incredible year ahead.
As always,
Love and light
Katie
SAGE WORDS by Sean Munday
And just like that 2024 has come to an end. Wishing everyone a restful holiday season spent with loved ones. And for January a period of rejuvenation and renewal. May we go into 2025 with motivation and experience gained from the year before. May we start the year with clear goals and objectives, and with clear plans on how to achieve them.
But most importantly through this period of introspection and change, remember to be gen-tle and kind with yourself. Don’t be hard on yourself for the mistakes you made in 2024 or not being able to stick to new year resolutions. Recognise your humanity, and with that the fact that you’ll never be perfect. You’ll make mistakes for the rest of your life, and the sooner you realise and accept this truth, the sooner you’ll be able to not take it so seriously when it happens. The only person you are guaranteed to spend the rest of your life with is yourself, so make sure they’re a friend.
All the best,
Sean
LAST THOUGHT by Pierre Ball
Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it (Nelson Mandela). The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. It’s natural to feel fear in many circumstances, but personally, I find it not sensible within our line of work. People experience fear when they feel threatened or unsafe, which is a natural part of our survival instincts. At castings, we are under no pressure to survive, nor are we threatened, so let us go into castings this coming month without fear. Rather replace fear with confidence and determination. Wishing you all a productive final month of the year.
