Television director Ken Kirsten was shot dead in his driveway in Northcliff Johannesburg, South African Broadcasting Corporation news reported on Monday.
According to his neighbour, Kirsten returned home after walking his dog when he was shot at point-blank range. The motive for the killing was not known.
Kirsten returned to South Africa last year after working in the United States for several years.
He had been involved in a number of major television productions over the past few years.
The Event Production Company, which made use of Kirsten’s services, said he had enjoyed an ”outstanding and celebrated” career spanning more than 30 years.
He excelled in the arena of live special events, covering some of the most high-profile cultural, glamour and sporting events in South African television history.
Kirsten worked on numerous music-related documentaries, glamour documentaries related to modelling — including a programme about South Africa’s golden girl Charlize Theron — as well as a host of dance dramas.
In South Africa, Kirsten holds the record for being nominated 20 times for the Artes Awards, winning on eight occasions.
In the US, Ken has won four Telly Awards for commercials directed for the local/regional cable market, as well as an Addy award, the statement read. – Sapa