5 things to know about SABC’s new head of local productions Lala Tuku

Lala Tuku has been appointed as the new head of local productions at the SABC.
She will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategic direction for local content at the SABC.
Lala’s career spans over decades and she has experience as an actress, television producer and voice over artist.

On Monday, 16 May 2022, the SABC announced that National Film and Video Foundation board member Lala Tuku as its new head of local productions for all three channels.

According to a statement sent to TRUELOVE, Lala will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategic direction for local content at the SABC, including broadcast requirements for the SABC Video Entertainment division.

“I am truly honoured and excited to join the SABC to further strengthen and drive the strategic direction for local content. The National Broadcaster remains an important entity and the voice for the people of South Africa,” she says in the statement.

“We have a critical mandate to elevate and become a catalyst for local content by telling compelling, informative and entertaining content. My passion for local content and the industry will contribute immensely to this vision,” she continues.

Here are five things to know about Lala Tuku:

1. She was an actress

Lala first broke into the TV industry as an actress. She has had numerous roles in a number of TV shows, such as popular SABC 1 soapie Generations, Ga Redumele, Rhythm City, Isibaya and Isidingo.

2. She has produced a number of TV shows

Lala stopped being a full-time actress and started a career behind-the-scenes where she produce shows. She has worked as a producer on celebrity gossip show The Real Goboza in 2009 and the religious programme Top Gospel in 2010. She was also an assistant director on the youth soapie Backstage.

Recently, she has worked as the executive producer for the South African Film and Television Awards as well as SABC 3 telenovela The Estate.

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3. She studied at AFDA

She holds a degree in live performance, directing and theatrical production from AFDA.

4. She’s a voice over artist

According to her management company’s website, Lala is a voice over artist who specialises in a variety of delivery styles and is fluent in English and Setswana.

5. She is passionate about women and youth issues

Lala is an outspoken advocate in the South African film and television industry and is the chairperson of the Africa Rising International Film Festival – a festival that centres on women and youth, people living with disabilities and the LGBTQI community – giving them a platform to showcase their work and creating a distribution channel for their respective films.

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