by Thinus Ferreira
The new host of Ultimate Braai Master for the reality braai competition's 8th season is Tapfuma Makina who is replacing show creator Justin Bonello.
Tapfuma Makina joins the Trace Studios produced series in which several teams of two will once again compete against each other - this season across venues in the Western Cape - to see who South Africa's latest braai champions are, in 13 episodes starting on e.tv on Saturday 5 February at 17:00.
Tapfuma Makina takes over as presenter from Justin Bonello for the 8th season, with the series retaining judges Peter Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng from previous seasons.
Tapfuma Makina who has presented various TV series and is also known as a TV sports news anchor on e.tv and a radio host, has a B.Sc degree in biochemistry and microbiology, and says he's excited to be a part of Ultimate Braai Master as the new host.
On taking over from Justin Bonello as Ultimate Braai Master host, Tapfuma Makina says "it's an honour to take up the baton. Justin created one of South Africa's most iconic and longest-running reality TV shows".
"That we're now in season eight of the show proves how
phenomenal a concept it is, and how loved he was as a host. It's a privilege to
be a part of the house that Bonello built".
"I love food but I am no chef, and have nothing but
respect for those with that innate talent - I leave that to the experts Benny and
Pete, now in their 5th season together on Ultimate Braai Master. Who better to judge?"
"I'm simply taskmaster, my job is to help the braai master hopefuls, and
our audience navigate the mechanics of the show, and steer them through the
twists and turns that comprise the journey to finding the next Ultimate Braai
Master."
After travelling across South Africa in previous season for challenges, the series switched to using just the Eastern Cape province in the 7th season and now just the Western Cape for the latest upcoming season, marking a slight format change for the show which will likely start to utilise specific provinces for future seasons.
With Ultimate Braai Master that was picked up by Netflix last season besides its airing on e.tv, Ultimate Braai Master with its new Western Cape season plans to "showcase the wealth of produce celebrated in the region, from free-range dairy and grain-fed cattle, to fresh grown organic vegetables from farm to braai to table".