Kuli Roberts (49) has died, reportedly 'just collapsed after a seizure and never woke up'.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African variety entertainer Nomakula Roberts, known simply as Kuli Roberts, has died. She was 49.

A friend told True Love magazine on Thursday morning that Kuli Roberts "just collapsed and never woke up" on Wednesday night. Her cause of death is not yet known.

According to City Press reporting, Kuli Roberts was on the set of her new TV show when she allegedly had a seizure and collapsed.

On Thursday afternoon the Roberts and Mboya family in a statement said they "confirm the passing of Nomakula 'Kuli" Roberts".

"It is with profound regret and sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of our dear daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt Nomakula 'Kuli' Roberts (49)," they said in the family statement issued by publicist Melanie Ramjee from Tutone Communications.

"She sadly passed away late last night (10 February) in Johannesburg."

While Kuli Roberts was a public person, the family said "We humbly request that you respect our need for privacy, as we go through this difficult period of grieving and healing. We ask that you keep us in your prayers. The Roberts and Mboya family are deeply thankful for all the countless personal messages of love and support received thus far. These are appreciated."

"The details of her memorial and funeral will be confirmed in due course."

The radio and TV presenter was known for various projects like gossip shows ranging from The Real Goboza next to Phat Joe on SABC1, Headline on M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel on DStv between 2010 and 2013, and Trending SA on SABC3 from 2016.

Kuli Roberts leaves behind two children, a grandchild, her parents, a brother, and two sisters including actress Hlubi Mboya.

Kuli Roberts was most well-known as a fashion and beauty tabloid journalist and over the years also dabbled in some dramatic and comedy roles in TV and film, besides doing TV presenting work. 

She started her print career at Fair Lady magazine, progressing to Drum magazine where she was the fashion and beauty editor, then YOU magazine, Pace and then writing for the Sunday tabloid newspaper Sunday World that fired her in 2021.

Kuli Roberts became the face of the SABC2 reality series What Not To Wear in 2004, and replaced Dineo Ranaka in 2008 as a co-host on SABC1's The Real Goboza for two seasons.

In 2013 she took part in the 6th season of Strictly Come Dancing SA on SABC3, and was seen in the role of Mildred Sefatsa during the 4th and 5th seasons of The Queen on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) in 2020 and 2021.

Kuli Roberts portrayed Tina in the Netflix Original film Angeliena in 2021.

On other TV work Kuli Roberts was seen as a pop culture commentator during the second season of 10 Over 10, was a contestant on I Love South Africa, and was a red carpet host and on-stage presenter of the National Film and Video Foundation's (NFVF) South African Film and Television Awards.

Kuli Roberts popped up as heightened version of herself in the first season of the drama series Inkaba, and was herself in the Isidingo Talent Search as a panellist and as a roaster in the first edition of The Comedy Central Roast SA of Steve Hofmeyr in 2012 on the Comedy Central channel.

In 2021 Kuli Roberts joined the African Transformation Movement (ATM) before South Africa's national local municipal elections and ran as a ward candidate for ward 65 in Tshwane but quickly ended her political career.

The SABC in a statement on Thursday said that the public broadcaster "would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the media personality Kui Roberts who has passed away. Thank you for your immense contribution to the entertainment industry".

BREAKING. Revealed! Strictly Come Dancing's 10 South African stars who will strut their stuff in the 6th season on SABC3 from 10 July.

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Connie Ferguson, Graeme Richards, Kuli Roberts, Lalla, Jay Anstey, Zakeeya Patel, Damon Kalvari, Mpho Popps Modikoane, L'Vovo and Thapelo Mokoena are the 10 South African celebrities who will be dancing in the 6th season of the floor format dance reality show Strictly Come Dancing starting in less than three weeks on SABC3 on 10 July at 20:00 TV with Thinus can be first to reveal.

The biggest battle for the ballroom floor awaits as the dance reality show shifts from SABC2 to SABC3 for the 6th season.

There's been no response from the broadcaster as to why Strictly Come Dancing is shifting channels. The 6th season of the popular live entertainment reality show was originally planned for the latter part of last year but was then shifted to 2013.

Strictly Come Dancing's 6th season will run for 10 weeks from the SABC's Renaissance Centre in Auckland Park on Wednesday nights between 20:00 to 22:00 as the dance couples compete against each other trying to impress a panel of judges and viewers who get to vote for who they want to help keep in the show.

Dance pairs will start to be cut from Strictly Come Dancing from the third episode.

Strictly Come Dancing is once again produced for the SABC by the format show powerhouse Rapid Blue, the production company behind reality entertainment shows which has already seen multiple seasons on South African television ranging from SA's Got Talent on e.tv and Come Dine with SA on BBC Entertainment, to The Bar-One Manhunt on SABC1.

The South African celebrities who will be stepping into their dancing shoes range from the darling TV soap queen Connie Ferguson currently on the Mzansi Magic channel in her own TV drama series and the socialite Kuli Roberts, to SABC3's fit morning breakfast show presenter Graeme Richards who can be seen on Expresso.

Lalla Hirayama, the Vuzu TV channel presenter who has a dance history, actress and reality star Jay Anstey, the Indian actress Zakeeya Patel seen in the SABC3 drama High Rollers and the comedian Mpho Popps Modikoane are also onboard the 6th season of Strictly Come Dancing.

The radioman Damon Kalvari from 5FM, musician L'Vovo Derrango and the actor and presenter Thapelo Mokoena round out the top 10 stars who are all paired with dance professionals and who will be dancing live in front of a studio audience as viewers watch at home.

With less than three weeks to go before Strictly Come Dancing starts on SABC3, the channel and its PR company has so far declined to release any names or photos.

While news about the upcoming season and the show's return to SABC3 has been known for quite a while now, SABC3's PR company only officially confirmed the show's return to the schedule late yesterday afternoon with an official announcement which including no celebrity contestants' names.

SABC3 said that the channel is in no doubt that the 6th season of Strictly Come Dancing will become the programme of choice on Wednesday evenings.

"Full of warmth, joy and the 'wow'-factor, we are thrilled to be bringing back Strictly Come Dancing, the most glamorous entertainment show in the world, for its 6th season," said Kee-Leen Irvine, the managing director of Rapid Blue and the executive producer of the show in the issued statement. "It's war on the dance floor and we can't wait to see this year's celebrities in action."

Kuli gets cancelled; Headline on Mzansi Magic gets the axe after six seasons with final episode on 4 April.

Kuli Roberts' Headline is getting cancelled; Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) is not ordering another season of the show which no longer fits in with the ethos of what the channel wants to be.

The final episode of Headline with Kuli Roberts and Trevor Gumbi will be broadcast on Thursday 4 April, Mzansi Magic tells me.

The M-Net channel is realigning it content strategy to attract more viewers and Headline isn't seen as such a show which will draw more of the viewers Mzansi Magic wants.

"In the fast-paced world of television it is not unusual to refresh channel content and Mzansi Magic is currently changing its line-up to create a general entertainment channel that will entice even more people to enjoy our unique local content offering. As a result of these changes, we have decided not to commission Headline for a seventh season," Mzansi Magic tells me.

The channel says it "values" the passion, dedication and enthusiasm of the Headline production team and the faces of the show. "We hope to work with them on new concepts in the future."

Kuli Roberts' TV show Headline lashes out at me and attacks TV with Thinus: ''The call centre staff that answer the phone are not sources''.

Last night Kuli Robert's Headline show decided to attack me and lash out at TV with Thinus using her TV platform on Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) to now turn on people like me - a TV critic - who have been providing news and fair comment about her very unfair comment in her now canceled newspaper column.

Here's the complete delicious on-air jab Headline threw at TV with Thinus:

''So this self-proclaimed TV critic writes on his blog that our embattled presenter who's column has been canceled is soon to be axed by Mzansi Magic and this show will be canceled. So kindly allow me to address this in my version of an open letter. Yo, blogger! If you write a blog and want to comment on how Mzansi Magic is going to cancel Kuli's show Headline you better get your facts right.''

''You say you have reliable sources at M-Net. Let me tell you something homie, when you call 011 289 2222 the call centre staff that answer the phone are there to help you with your unpaid subscription. They are not sources. Your sources seem more of the fast food variety – tomato or mustard. Yeah. As for implying that the people we interviewed didn't know they're interviewed for Headline, what are we, some kind of weird spy organisation? Come on. The worst part of addressing you on this forum is that I'm giving you more followers. It's good in a way because then you can ask them for your scoops. So that is an open letter. So blogger, down with you.''

Editor:
• This ''blogger'' doesn't require ''followers'' to stroke my ego and it's hilarious that you don't want to mention my name. There's power in words but Kuli Roberts forgot that when she wrote her caustic column. By the way, I've been a TV critic for over a decade and my aim remains and has always been to provide incisive information, news, reviews and analysis regarding the South African television industry for the thousands of people who read TV with Thinus daily as well as my other columns and articles in other publications.
• I'm not implying that at least one of the people interviewed for last night's show didn't know it, I'm stating it as a fact. (I wanted to do a story about how the atmosphere was in studio between the guests announced in the press release and Kuli Roberts. When I called the first person on the list on Wednesday evening whose cellphone number I quickly sourced after Mzansi Magic issued the press release, that person told me that said person was surprised to hear from me that the cameras that came to the person's office was that of Headline. ''I only actually watch Grey's,'' the person said.)
• The switchboard joke was really funny.

ALSO READ: Kuli Roberts on-air TV apology: ''I'm really sincerely sorry.''
ALSO READ: What she didn't say in words when she apologized: Kuli Robert's body language analysed.

BREAKING. Kuli Roberts and the body-language of her on-air TV apology: Here's how she REALLY feels and what she DIDN'T say.

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The on-air TV apology on her TV show Headline moments ago by Kuli Roberts after her hate-filled column about coloured women, had viewers seeing Kuli Roberts saying ''I'm really, really, I'm sorry. I'm not a rascist. I'm all about nation building. Sometimes I think I'm funny when I'm actually not. I really would like to apologize to everybody. I'm really sincerely sorry.''

But how does Kuli Roberts really feel? And what is she saying but didn't say in her apology in words? Here is Kuli Roberts' body language during her on-air mea culpa.

Kuli Roberts started her apology with her hands firmly clasped together. It doesn't necessarily denote or indicate stress but coupled with her verbal delivery - a person apologizing and basically asking for forgiveness or some kind of redemption - it can indicate that Kuli was under pressure. This is something she has to do and wants to do correctly. She doesn't want the message to be misconstrued.

Kuli Roberts then opens her hands and puts them on top of each other. This is an open gesture, an overture. She's trying to make amends. With her hands in this position, she starts to move her arms up and down, as if there's a weight in her hands that she's lifting. She's doing two things here. Firstly she's figuratively trying to lift a weight off of her by apologizing. Secondly she wants to add weight and emphasis to what she's saying. She's trying to ''underline'' what she's saying by having her body mimicking her words. Interestingly enough she's doing this as she's also repeating the words ''really, really''.
Also notice the change in her eye brows, an apologetic, serious look.

Kuli Roberts makes a very important and surprising gesture next - one you rarely see in public, rarely see from public figures and one that's even more scarce on television: She raises both hands up, palms stretched out towards the TV audience and keeps them up. Where do you think the normal everyday ''waving hi'' comes from? It's from this. Kuli is showing that she has no weapons, she's not attacking. Non-verbally it means she wants to back off. She's saying ''I don't want to fight anymore'',''Look I'm defenseless'', ''Please stop'', and ''No harm please and no harm intended''.

Kuli Roberts then turn her hands palms up, still outstretched. It symbolizes giving or receiving - in this case giving. This non-verbal gesture aims to underscore her words. She's giving an apology. She's also opening things up, she wants to ''bring'' understanding. She's saying ''I'm giving it to you. I'm leaving what I'm saying with you [to decide whether to forgive me or not].'' It fits perfectly with her trying to explain herself while she's apologizing. It's another very open non-verbal gesture.

The open hands on top of each other again. Also, raised eyebrows which also indicate emphasis and adds force behind her words. She's putting the force of her whole being behind her words. Interestingly, if you listen to Kuli Roberts speak, she's rambling.

She's talking much faster than usual. It could be construed as being insincere, but in this case I would say Kuli Roberts is probably just really anxious and somewhat stressed. She's never had to deal with something like this before and has never been the centre of so much (negative) attention. It's natural behaviour when you have to talk about things you don't really want to. It's not pleasant circumstances and she wants to move past it. Obviously - literally - as quickly as possible.

A second of silence right at the end. Kuli Roberts just stands and looks the camera - and the TV audience right in the eye - hands folded into each other. Television doesn't like silence. Kuli Roberts' serious look - almost expressionless and emotionless - coupled with the silence and then a break of black screen, serves to underscore the seriousness of it all. She is serious about what she said; the atmosphere is serious; the moment almost sanctified as far as television as a medium goes.

ALSO READ: Kuli Roberts apologizes on-air for her offensive hate-filled views on coloured women: ''I'm really sincerely sorry.''

BREAKING. Kuli Roberts apologizes on-air for her offensive hate-filled views on coloured women: ''I'm really sincerely sorry.''

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''I'd like to say that everybody that was offended by my column I'm really, really, I'm sorry. I'm not a rascist. I'm all about nation building. Sometimes I think I'm funny when I'm actually not. I really would like to apologize to everybody. I'm really sincerely sorry.''

Those were the words  of a serious looking Kuli Roberts, the caustic socialite and presenter of Headline on her Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) TV show moments ago. An apologetic looking, stern faced Kuli Roberts just made a public on-air apology that comes days after her rascist rant in a newspaper column (now canceled) against coloured women.

Her hate-laced words saying that coloured women ''breed'' as well as other utterly degoratory and stereotyped statements ignited a firestorm of controversy and made a discussion about race once again a national burning point.

GUESS WHAT? Not all the opinion makers who recorded comments for Kuli Roberts show tomorrow night knew it was for her show.

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As per usual Kuli Robert's Headline of tomorrow evening that will contain her on-air apology won't be live - it's not a secret that the show is usually recorded on a Wednesday. What I can exclusively reveal however is that at least one of the high-level opinion-makers touted by Mzansi Magic to appear in tomorrow night's episode had absolutely no idea that the camera crew that showed up to record comments was actually from Headline and a part of Kuli Roberts' show!

In a press release Mzansi Magic is trying to create the impression that tomorrow night's episode of Headline with Kuli Roberts at 20:30 will have interviews with people, besides of course Kuli Robert's apology. Here's the thing: It's not Kuli Roberts doing the interviews, and one person who don't like what Kuli Robert's wrote, didn't even know that the person was asked to comment for Kuli's show!

''Two guys with a camera came to my office,'' one of the people ''headlined'' in the press release for Headline tells me. ''I had no idea that it was for Kuli Robert's Headline. I was asked what I think and I expressed that it was an abomination what she wrote and my concern at her views.''

''Mzansi Magic will grant Kuli Roberts the opportunity to make a public apology on Headline this week [tomorrow, Thursday at 20:30] We have solicited opinions from high-profile South Africans and trendsetters, as well as members of the public,'' the channel said this afternoon in a press statement.

''Headline will thus conduct interviews with amongst others, City Press editor Ferial Haffajee; politician Patricia de Lille; communications expert Farah Fortune; radio jock Ishmael Abrahams, actor Craig Palm; and DJ Warras.''

If you're under the (wrong) impression that Mzansi Magic is creating that there will be a panel discussion with all of these people present at the same time in a studio, you're wrong. It's also not live and comments are therefore edited. And as I said, at least one of these people I tracked down since the announcement a few hours ago had no idea that the person's response was recorded for Headline.

Is this part of the reason why M-net and Mzansi Magic took so long to respond? So that Thursday's episode can be put together with guests and ready-made on-video soundbytes?



ALSO READ: How Mzansi Magic is doing massive damage to its brand image by keeping Kuli Roberts on.
ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic to Kuli Roberts: apologize on-air for what you did!
ALSO READ: ''M-Net is NOT happy with Kuli Roberts right now.'' - sources.
ALSO READ: Why M-Net and Mzansi Magic need to distance themselves from Kuli Roberts immediately.

KEEPING KULI: How Mzansi Magic condones hate speech and is doing massive damage to its brand image by keeping Kuli Roberts.

Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) is doing massive damage to its brand as a new and diverse TV channel by keeping the bigoted socialite Kuli Roberts on the schedule and is trampling on its image as an inclusive channel for all South Africa.

By choosing for Kuli Roberts instead of siding with a big portion of misaligned viewers and an even bigger general and very upset South Africa, Mzansi Magic is showing that offensive on-air TV personalities that don't like a certain part of the South African population, will be welcome on the channel.

''We embrace diversity,'' says Mzansi Magic's channel manager Lebone Maema in a press release issued two hours ago, but the words echo hollow since the channel has decided to keep giving a voice to the hateful Kuli Roberts who wrote that coloured women ''breed as if on a mission by Allan Boesak'' and other disgusting comments.

''Mzansi Magic does not endorse the views expressed by Kuli Roberts,'' says Lebone Maema - yet Mzansi Magic keeps giving her a platform to be seen and heard. What Mzansi Magic is in essence doing is the same as saying ''I do not endorse my child shooting other children with the gun from my house,'' and refusing to take the gun away. By keeping Kuli Roberts on the air after her repulsive remarks about a certain South African demographic, Mzansi Magic is now polarizing its audience as well as people's view on the channel. Viewers who might have watched, won't; some who've watched the channel won't anymore; some who didn't might now.

ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic to Kuli Roberts: Apologize on-air for what you did!
ALSO READ: ''M-Net is NOT happy with Kuli Roberts right now'' - sources.
ALSO READ: Why M-Net and Mzansi Magic should distance themselves from Kuli Roberts right now and cancel her Headline show.

BREAKING. Mzansi Magic to Kuli Roberts: Apologize on-air for what you did or the TV show is over!

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On the verge of canceling her TV show, M-Net and Mzansi Magic execs have given Kuli Roberts an ultimatum: apologize on air or the show is over.

M-Net and Mzansi Magic are giving the caustic socialite a chance to keep her TV show Headline after her ''racist sexist drivel'' as the Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) described her now cancelled newspaper column if she apologizes in tomorrow's episode that's recorded today.

Channel execs are not happy but accepted Kuli Robert's apology over her atrocious newspaper remarks. She will have to publicly apologize on her show or it will be canceled.

The sordid socialite placed M-Net and Mzansi Magic in a very difficult position and insiders told me yesterday the broadcaster is thisclose to canceling Headline. Kuli Roberts was instructed to apologize and she agreed. Kuli Roberts also had her newspaper column canceled which is the original medium in which her highly offensive rascist rant appeared. M-Net and Mzansi Magic also have a lot invested in the show (already at episode 34), don't have a sudden replacement ready, and stand to lose a lot of money if Headline is scrapped.

M-Net and Mzansi Magic was slow to respond to questions around her show after the unfolding firestorm that Kuli Robert's ignited with her newspaper column. Finally a short while ago Mzansi Magic spoke for the first time.

''Mzansi Magic does not endorse the views expressed by Kuli Roberts in her newspaper column,'' said Lebone Maema, Mzansi Magic's channel manager in a press statement. ''However, after discussions with Kuli, the management of Mzansi Magic have decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.'' Her contract as a presenter will not be terminated and she will apologize tomorrow at 20:30 in Headline.

ALSO READ: ''M-Net is NOT happy with Kuli Roberts right now'' - sources.
ALSO READ: OPINION: Why M-Net and Mzansi Magic should distance themselves from Kuli Roberts right now and cancel her show.

BREAKING. M-Net and Mzansi Magic refuse to talk about Kuli Roberts and the future of her Headline show.

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Although they're not primarily involved (and her derogatory newspaper column that Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) calls ''racist, sexist, drivel'' has been canceled with immediate effect) both M-Net as a broadcaster and Mzansi Magic as a channel refuse to talk about the future of Kuli Roberts' weekly Headline show.

Neither M-Net or Mzansi Magic are able or willing to answer a simple media enquiry made early yesterday about what the broadcaster and channel's policy is towards on-air personalities who make derogatory remarks like what Kuli Roberts did. M-Net and Mzansi Magic who were both asked yesterday about what the broadcaster and the channel's general stance is on allowing people on air who've said what she did, still has no answer after Kuli Robert's ignited a national firestorm over her rascist remarks against coloured women.

I just asked M-Net and Mzansi Magic for comment again, now 27 hours after my original media enquiry and for their response and policy regarding misbehaving on-air talent, as well as the future of Kuli Robert's show - a show who's future now is clearly strongly in doubt.

''M-Net and Mzansi Magic will issue something today. We will issue once we're ready to do so,'' says Lani Lombard, M-Net communications manager.

ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic getting ready ready to drop Kuli Roberts and drop her Headline show - sources.

BREAKING. Mzansi Magic getting ready to drop Kuli Roberts and axe her Headline show tomorrow - sources.

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I can reveal that Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) is getting ready to drop Kuli Roberts and swing the axe on her weekly Headline show and that it will be announced tomorrow, various sources inside the broadcaster are telling me.

Early today I reached out to M-Net as well as Mzansi Magic for comment about how the broadcaster and the channel perceives Kuli Roberts, the damage to the ongoing future relationship with her in the wake of her atrocious remarks in her now-axed newspaper column, and whether she will continue to represent the channel on television after writing that coloured women ''breed as if on a mission'' and expressing even worse sentiments about coloured women.

M-Net promised a response and Mzansi Magic said the channel will get back with a quickly response. M-Net passed the buck to Mzansi Magic, and by the end of today Mzansi Magic told me over the phone the channel has no comment.

I can reveal however that Mzansi Magic will definitely make a announcement regarding Kuli Roberts tomorrow on Wednesday and that high-level discussions took place today debating Kuli Roberts' future with Mzansi Magic, according to various insider sources. According to my sources, Mzansi Magic is thisclose to ending Kuli Roberts' Headline show that started last year when the channel launched and Mzansi Magic will be making the announcement regarding the axing of the show tomorrow. Barring the show not getting canceled - and chances are apparently very slim - Mzansi Magic will strongly distance itself from Kuli Roberts' caustic and toxic hate rant on coloured women that has exploded as a national topic.

ALSO READ: OPINION - Why M-Net and Mzansi magic need to distance themselves from Kuli Roberts and end her Headline show immediately.

UPDATE Tuesday 1 March 2011 22:00 - I've now spoken with more insider sources for more context around Kuli Roberts' Headline show on Mzansi Magic. Sources are talking about Jub Jub, Headline production, Mzansi Magic's big dilemma and the feeling inside M-Net.
For all of that click on READ MORE below.

OPINION. Why M-Net and Mzansi Magic need to distance themselves from the racist Kuli Roberts and end her Headline show.

If M-Net and Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) feel anything for viewers, for race relations and gender equality in South Africa, the pay broadcaster that carries the hateful Kuli Roberts' show Headline will distance themselves from her and cancel her show and any ties immediately.

After Kuli Roberts' vitriol-laiden, breathlessly shocking, and brazenly racist rant in her tabloid newspaper column that's filled with misaligned and incredible hurtful stereotypes, M-Net and Mzansi Magic would be condoning Kuli Roberts' tragically flawed views by allowing her back on television or by continuing to be in business with her. Yes, there is magic in Mzansi, but to have Kuli Roberts on Mzansi Magic after espousing her derogatory remarks about women of colour would now detract from it.

When television - or any media for that matter - continues to feature or give a platform (and thereby oxygen) to a certain personality, the implied message is always: this person is okay. This person is good. This person is what we associate ourselves with since we're about quality and excellence.
What Kuli Roberts wrote, and what Kuli Roberts is really thinking, is just not okay. And its not quality, and its not excellence. Animals breed Kuli. Not people. And the utterly undignified way in which you talk about people would not make someone like Madiba proud.

You're disgusting views on woman (it so sad; you're one yourself), people of colour, and such a lack of any insensitivity for who we are as South Africans, where we come from and who we want to be, says as much about yourself Kuli Roberts as what you've said about a portion of this rainbow nation (who neither ''looked like they've popped out of an Usher video'' or ''love to fight in public'' as you so lovingly hateful wrote).

It's sad to think that what you've written is really how you feel. It's sad to think that that is what you think of other people. It's sad that you want to apologize in less than 140 characters on Twitter for hundreds of words in a cutting column of hate that does so much damage. If you so blatantly - and brazenly - attack a part of Mzansi - how really can you remain a part of the Mzansi Magic...

FIRST LOOK! The real stars of Mzansi goes 60's township glam in their first ''old school township-tastic'' photo shoot.

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Take a look at the stars of Mzansi. Mzansi Magic that is. I can exclusively reveal the first photo of the first photo shoot of the local stars of the new Mzansi Magic channel that will debut on DStv on channel 107 on Monday from 18:00.

While SABC1 tried with the Stars of Mzansi Awards, these are now the real stars of Mzansi: socialite Kuli Roberts, actor Oscar Mgudlwa known for his character of Madluphuthu, news woman Redi Direko and Fentselite Mogotsi and Thabo ''T- Bose'' Mokwele.

In a beautiful and brilliant throwback (and a completely creative and pitch perfect photo shoot style idea that absolutely works) the stars of Mzansi Magic are all dressed and glammed up in a Drum inspired, township stars, Soweto 60's shoot! Wonderful. Kuli Roberts (perfect with old school camera in hand) will present the new glamarama show Headline on Mzansi Magic, while Redi Direko starts a new talk show Redi on Mzansi Magic. Thabo ''T-Bose'' Mokwele will be doing Top Ten at 10: My Life in Music, a music show with a twist.

BREAKING. Mzansi Magic ready to launch with Redi Direko talking in ''Redi'' and Kuli Roberts covering glam trash in ''Headline''.

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The new South African entertainment channel Mzansi Magic (DStv 107), with a heavy emphasis on local TV content and that launches this coming Monday, 12 July on DStv just officially confirmed what I've told you ages ago: that Redi Direko will be getting her own weekly talk show on the channel.

Redi Direko's own half hour talk show - which has now had a working title change from Redi on Mzansi to just Redi - will debut on Tuesday, 13 July at 19:30 as one of the cornerstones of the new Mzansi Magic schedule.

''We will be looking at the journeys of transformation that South Africans are making in their daily lives, whether it be towards sexual liberation, financial prosperity, artistic expression, recovering from abuse or trauma or plain bad or good luck,'' says Redi Direko. ''It's the life-changing stuff that we all encounter in our everyday lives, but approached in the lightest way possible.''

Another Mzansi Magic addition is the egocentric Kuli Roberts who will become the presenter of Headline which will debut on Thursday, 15 July at 19:30. In Headline Kuli Roberts will hang out and cover the wannabee famous and local celebrity A to D-list glam trash trying to get into the spotlight and to stay there. ''I'm so excited to be on television and to be able to share the fabulous world of celebs with the Mzansi Magic viewers,'' says Kuli Roberts.

ALSO READ: Redi Direko ''Redi''-ying her big TV comeback with her own TV talk show.
ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic working to create a new South African soap.
ALSO READ: ''A combination of factors make Mzansi Magic now possible,'' says Yolisa Phahle, channel director.