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| Ken Kirsten |
Kirsten was shot several times at point blank range last night in the garage of his Northcliff home. The motive is still being investigated.
Adding to the tributes pouring in, SABC group chief executive Dali Mpofu expressed deep shock and sadness at the passing of Kirsten, calling him a TV legend.
Mpofu said, "Ken's untimely death has left a huge gap in the industry. For over 30 years he helped shape and move the industry to the height it is at today through his exceptional directing, producing and writing skills. His work record will always serve as a reference for up-coming directors. Condolences to his family, friends and colleagues."
Kirsten, who only returned to South Africa from the United States last year, was no stranger to South African television audiences, having enjoyed an outstanding and celebrated career in local television spanning in excess of 30 years - producing, writing and directing since the medium first made its way on to our screens, way back in 1974. From program series like Pop Shop; numerous big budget, one-off musical specials and coverage of live concerts for musicians like Crowded House and Shirley Bassey, Kirsten worked on numerous music-related documentaries, glamour documentaries related to modeling (including a program about South Africa's golden girl Charlize Theron), as well as a host of dance dramas.
Kirsten will probably be most remembered for the work he did (creating, designing and producing) in the arena of live special events, covering some of the most high profile cultural, glamour and sporting events in South African television history: from various Artes Awards ceremonies, Miss South Africa, Miss Universe and modeling pageants; to Rugby World Cup (1996) opening and closing ceremonies; the re-launch of the SABC; Africa Cup of Nations (1997) opening ceremony and more recently, the Victor Awards and Miss Teen South Africa pageants.
Based in Palm Springs, California since 2001, Kirsten worked on a contract basis, producing commercials and infomercials for local, regional and cable stations in the US.
In South Africa, Kirsten holds the record for being nominated 20 times for the Artes Awards, winning on eight occasions. In the US, he won four Telly Awards for commercials directed for the local/regional cable market, as well as an Addy award.
