MultiChoice and M-Net add several Hugh Masekela specials to the Mzansi Magic Music schedule and DStv Catch Up to pay tribute after the death of the South African jazz legend.

M-Net has quickly scheduled several Hugh Masekela programmes on Mzansi Magic Music (DStv 321) to pay tribute to the artist after the death of the South African jazz legend.

"It is with great sadness that M-Net has learned of the passing of musical legend Hugh Masekela, a leader and stalwart of the music and entertainment industry worldwide," says Yolisa Phahle, CEO of general entertainment at MultiChoice.

"His legacy, contribution and influence on the music world will be long remembered and treasured."

"Hugh Masekela told the South African story in an inimitable way. Through his music, the fight for democracy reached audiences all over the world, and to us, he was the voice of hope during dark times," says Yolisa Phahle.

"Hugh was recognised by the greatest musicians in the world. He played alongside jazz legends, incredible contemporary and chart-topping musicians, and is one of a few to have been at the famous Rumble in the Jungle. I have some very precious personal memories as he was a close family friend and a major inspiration to me as a young musician," says Yolisa Phahle.

"Today, South Africa, the rest of our continent and the world remember a man who touched lives in a magical and meaningful way".

M-Net and MultiChoice announced that it will be honouring Hugh Masekela's legacy with several specials, but started this at 12:00 on Tuesday on the Mzansi Magic Music channel already, although a programming notification was only issued at 13:30.

The following shows were already broadcast on Mzansi Magic Music on Tuesday afternoon, but will be repeated over the next few days, and will also be made available on DStv Catch Up from 18:00 on Tuesday evening:

12:00: The Best of Hugh Masekela Special
13:00: Friends of Hugh Masekela
14:00: Hugh Masekela Live at the Market Theatre

18:00: The Best of Hugh Masekela Special
19:00: Friends of Hugh Masekela
20:00: Hugh Masekela Live at the Market Theatre

Thembisa Mdoda wins Ultimate Viewers' Choice award at Mzansi Magic's inaugural DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2017; full list of winners.

Outgoing Our Perfect Wedding presenter Thembisa Mdoda on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) won the Ultimate Viewers' Choice award on Saturday night after she earlier also won the Favourite Presenter category at the inaugural and first DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2017 that was broadcast live on the channel.

Over 1 million votes were cast for 50 nominees in 10 categories, as South Africans voted for the various categories, with Bonang Matheba, brilliant as host, who held sway at the Sandton Convention Centre from where SuperSport's outside broadcast unit helped with the live broadcast on the channel carried on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

TV executives and producers, on-air talent, publicists, government officials, fashionistas, musicians, sport stars, comedians and the media turned up for the first DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2017.

The legendary jazz musician, Hugh Masekela, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award handed to him by M-Net CEO, Yolisa Phahle.

Community worker Anna Dithane was awarded the life changer category winner.

Musical acts and stars who performed live at the DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2017 included Lady Zamar, Zodwa Wabantu, Thandiswa Mazwai, Lebo Sekgobela and Gqom, along with DJ Cleo, Winnie Khumalo, Busiswa, Cassper Nyovest and Tshedi Mholi as a special surprise guest.


Winners:
SONG OF THE YEAR: Prince Kaybee – Charlotte
TV PRESENTER: Thembisa Mdods
COMEDIAN: Summay
RISING STAR: Sjava
RADIO PERSONALITY: B2Cada
ACTOR: Themba Ndaba
ACTRESS: Vatiswa Ndara
MUSIC ARTIST/GROUP: Kwesta
DJ: Black Coffee
SPORT PERSONALITY: Caster Semenya
ULTIMATE VIEWERS' CHOICE: Thembisa Mdoda

SABC2 adds The Bantu Hour as a new comedy sketch and variety show with host Kagiso Lediga and Hugh Masekela as the bandleader.

SABC2 is adding The Bantu Hour, a new comedy show from the people who produced Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola for eNCA (DStv 403), fronted by Kagiso Lediga and Hugh Masekela who will be the bandleader.

Like Saturday Night Live, The Bantu Hour, starting on Saturday 7 November at 21:00 on SABC2, will contain comedy skits presented by Kagiso Lediga and other stand-up comedians including Celeste Ntuli, Trevor Gumbi and Chris Forest.

The Bantu Hour will also have a celebrity guest in each episode, similar to Saturday Night Live. "When we came with this concept, this really brough memories of days when we used to do The Pure Monate Show back then," says Kagiso Lediga. "The comedy features a myriad of comedians, so viewers are in for a treat".

The Bantu Hour on SABC2 will use several languages.

"The Bantu Hour is a great way to revive sketch comedy on SABC2 because it brings the best of South African comedy talent together," says Jacqueline Setai, the SABC's head of entertainment programming.

The Bantu Hour is produced by Gunga7.com which is Diprente Films that did LNN for eNCA, with Hugh Masekela, Kagiso Lediga, Themba Vilakazi and John Volmink as executive producers and Tamsin Andersson as producer.