Anele Mgudlwa (born Mdoda) and her business partners, Frankie du Toit and Paul Buys of Rose and Oaks Media, say they’ve just closed one of the biggest moves in South Africa’s television industry aimed at strengthening local control of screen stories. The media entrepreneur and co-founder has announced that Rose and Oaks Media has acquired Rapid Blue from BBC Worldwide, bringing a major South African production name back under local ownership and reshaping who holds the reins on African storytelling.
Deal brings Rapid Blue back to local hands
Mgudlwa framed the purchase as more than a corporate milestone, describing it as a shift toward a future where African voices play an even larger role in worldwide narratives. She said bringing Rapid Blue back home will both respect the company’s long-running legacy and help build “something even bigger” for what’s ahead.
Rose and Oaks Media says the transaction—driven by Mgudlwa alongside the co-founders of the company—creates what it calls one of the largest independent production groups on the African continent.
A major player behind beloved South African TV
Rapid Blue has been part of South African viewing habits for years, with its work spanning everything from game shows to reality competition and entertainment formats. Viewers who’ve watched Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, argued over Come Dine With Me SA, or kept track of Shark Tank South Africa have Rapid Blue to thank.
The company was established by TV trailblazers Duncan and Kee-Leen Irvine, and over roughly the past two decades it has helped shape some of the country’s most recognised formats, including Strictly Come Dancing, Family Feud SA, The Bachelor South Africa, and The Weakest Link.
Its catalogue also includes a mix of international film titles and local productions, such as Don’t, Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight and The Last Ranger, as well as Ludik and The Masked Singer South Africa.
From BBC acquisition to a return nearly ten years later
Rapid Blue was acquired by BBC Worldwide in 2016 as part of an international growth push. Now, nearly nine years later, the production company is returning to local ownership through the newly announced deal.
What Rose and Oaks Media says the acquisition unlocks next
Mgudlwa stated that Rose and Oaks Media has spent the past nine years building a business able to deliver across scripted, unscripted, film, formats, and live production at a high level. She added that Rapid Blue is expected to speed up that plan, calling the company one of the most respected production names on the continent and highlighting both the scale of the opportunity and the responsibility that comes with it.
- The acquisition is expected to accelerate Rose and Oaks Media’s strategy across scripted, unscripted, film, formats, and live production.
- Rose and Oaks Media says it becomes the only African-owned production house with access at this level to the BBC Studios catalogue.
- That access is described as a significant entry point into one of the world’s most valuable entertainment format portfolios.
In addition, Rose and Oaks Media says both the Rose and Oaks Media and Rapid Blue brands will continue operating. The plan is to preserve Rapid Blue’s established identity while also creating new opportunities for expansion and international collaboration.
