Rebranding fails to end ANN7 woes
News channel, which was owned by the Guptas, will be renamed but lobby groups urge Icasa not to grant the company a contract
Lobby groups have vowed to continue opposing Gupta-owned ANN7’s bid for a new licence, despite the channel rebranding to distance itself from the controversial family. Mzwanele Manyi, owner of Afrotone Media Holdings, said on Monday ANN7 would change its name to Afro Worldview on April 30. The New Age (TNA) newspaper would be rebranded as Afro Voice and its editorial policy would be in line with the press code. Gupta-owned Oakbay Investments announced in late 2017 its withdrawal from its media interests‚ selling its shareholding in Infinity Media (ANN7) and TNA to Lodidox and management for R450m. Oakbay Investments vendor-financed the deals, essentially lending Manyi the money to buy the businesses. Manyi said at the weekend he had repaid his debt to the Gupta family and the original amount owed had been lowered after renegotiations. ANN7 will be dropped from the DStv bouquet in August. Manyi’s company applied for an individual commercial free-to-air television broadcasting service...
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