Louise McClelland, TV producer, co-founder and managing director of Okuhle Media dead at 47 after short battle with cancer.

Louise McClelland, executive producer, managing director and co-founder of the Okuhle production company in Cape Town has died at home after losing a short battle with cancer. She was 47.

Louise McClelland died on 11 July 2019, leaving behind her wife Wilna van Schalkwyk, and two sons.

Louise McClelland started her career in South Africa's TV industry when she joined M-Net shortly after Naspers launched it as South Africa's first pay-TV channel, where she rose through the ranks to become M-Net's head of scheduling.

She became an insert producer and producer of KTV, M-Net's youth brand and programming strand for 2 years, after which she became part of the production team that launched e.tv in 2000 as South Africa's first commercial free-to-air terrestrial TV channel from Cape Town.

Louise McClelland founded the Cape Town-based Okuhle Media in 2003 along with her 4 partners, that has produced shows like the South African public broadcaster's youth strands Hectic Nine-9 on SABC2 and Hectic on 3 for SABC3, as well as numerous other shows like Neill Anthony's Private Chef (SABC3, Food Network) and Sarah Graham's Food Safari (M-Net), Showville (SABC2), Case Closed (e.tv), Generation Free (e.tv), Kasilicous (e.tv) and recently Celeb Feasts with Zola (Mzansi Magic) and Koskaskenades (SABC2).

Okuhle is also behind the upcoming dating reality series, Finding the One, for M-Net (DStv 101) and did the 6th season of Ultimate Braai Master earlier in 2019 on e.tv.

Okuhle Media in a statement said Louise McClelland's "passion, energy, intellect, determination and creativity were instrumental in Okuhle’s success and we honour her memory by remembering that the greatest legacy anyone can leave behind is to positively impact someone else’s life".

"Louise did exactly that for countless people and for our industry. With every action she reminded us that it is our responsibility to create connections, to entertain, to bring laughter and joy in both our work and our personal lives."

"She leaves an indelible memory that will live in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of meeting her."

The SABC told TVwithThinus that "The SABC would like to send its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Louise McClelland".

"The loss of such a dynamic, strong and forever happy industry professional is not only a loss to her family, but the television and film industry as a whole. The SABC appreciates that it had the opportunity of working with her and believes that her mark will be left with all the great work and people that she touched."

"Louise McClelland produced amongst others, programmes such as Koskaskenades, Showville, Hectic on 3, Hectic Nine-9 and Beter Assie Bure for the SABC," the public broadcaster said.

e.tv told TVwithThinus that "e.tv sends our most sincere condolences to the McClelland family.  Louise's death is a great loss to both the entertainment and media industries and we would like to thank her for her immense contribution to the channel's various productions. May her soul rest in peace".

M-Net and MultiChoice told TVwithThinus that "M-Net and MultiChoice are saddened to hear of the passing of Louise McClelland who started her career at our company and who was the driving force behind several shows on our channels as executive producer of Okuhle Media".

"The industry has lost a vivacious, creative and dynamic individual who was never scared to take risks. We would like to extend our condolences to Louise's family and friends, as well as all the crews and television makers who were inspired by her passion and kindness."

Foodie Sarah Graham's new cooking show, Sarah Graham Food Safari, picked up by M-Net, starting on 29 November at 18:00

Sarah Graham is the latest talent jumping from SABC3 to M-Net with the foodie's show Sarah Graham's Food Safari picked up by M-Net (DStv 101).

The new cooking show, the second since Bitten was broadcast on SABC3 in 2013, will see the South African food blogger and cookbook author take viewers on a food safari across Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa from Sunday 29 November at 18:00.

The show is currently filming across 31 locations with Louise McClelland as executive producer and Chris Lotz as director, with Okuhle Media as the production company.

Sarah Graham's Food Safari will try to fulfill "the armchair foodie's sense of curiosity about the off-the-beaten track spaces and delightful new flavours" while showcasing wildlife and in-the-bush dining experiences with Sarah's friends and family.

The show is filming in Zimbabwe, Zambia and then across South Africa in Johannesburg, Prince Albert and along the Garden Route as well as Cape Town.

"Sarah Graham's Food Safari promises to be perfect prime time entertainment for the laid-back festive season," says M-Net.

"The show celebrates everything our viewers love - from the most mouth-watering dishes to the beautiful African landscape."

"Together with Sarah we're thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with M-Net and bring our new series to a channel that is synonymous with bringing highly pedigreed and exceptionally entertaining cooking shows to discerning local audiences," says Louise McClelland.

Sarah Graham published her latest cookbook, Home. Food From My Kitchen earlier this year.

SABC2's Hectic Nine-9 from Okuhle Media reaches its 2000th episode on Tuesday; will feature Freshlyground and fans to help celebrate.

When the cameras roll tomorrow, Tuesday 25 August, the youth focused afternoon programming block Hectic Nine-9 on SABC2 will reach its 2000th episode

Since 2007 Hectic Nine-9, also abbreviated as Hn9, has seen a revolving door of teen presenters come and go as the show grew not just its timeslot ratings but also its timeslot duration to an hour from the beginning of 2012.

As the production changed studios a few times over the past 8 years, incorporated social media and tackled current youth issues, it also incorporated the highly successful and well-liked teen drama mini-series Signal High.

Former Hectic Nine-9 presenter Danilo Acquisto who moved behind the scenes as producer, transitioned earlier this year to SABC3's weekday afternoon variety and talk show Afternoon Express.

The Hectic Nine-9 studio hosted not only local bands and celebrities but saw soccer teams, dance crews, horses, a cheetah and even a 45 member choir visit.

Hectic Nine-9, currently broadcasting Mondays to Fridays at 16:00 on SABC2, is produced by Okuhle Media in Cape Town and is currently being done live daily from MagnaTude Studios in Observatory, sourcing content from all of South Africa's provinces.

"I am incredibly proud of the growth of the show," says executive producer Louise McClelland. "Hectic Nine-9 touches lives every day, in a way we never expected.”

"2000 episodes is a milestone most TV shows only dream of reaching," says Wilna van Schalkwyk, series producer. "What a proud moment to see this incredible show grow into one of the biggest and most successful youth shows produced in South Africa."

"Eight years of Hectic Nine-9 means that a person who started watching the show when they were 12 is now 20 – a significant leap – and our interaction with this viewer shows us a fun, creative, determined and independent thinker who has his or her future firmly in their hands," says Mpumi Ngidi, SABC commissioning editor of the show.

Tuesday's 2000th episode will celebrate the milestone in style on-air with band Freshlyground making an appearance and performing. Hectic Nine-9 will also have fans in the studio.

At the moment Hectic Nine-9 producers are working on a technological treasure hunt celebrating South Africa's diversity. From there the show goes into planning episodes for the upcoming festive season at the end of the year and then brainstorming the new season.

SABC2 adds new talent show Showville; 26-episode reality competition format will visit South Africa's small towns looking for local stars.

SABC2 has added a new reality talent search show, Showville, which it hopes will help boost the channel's lackluster weekend schedule and viewership and which will start on Saturdays at 20:00 from 7 November.

A second season of Showville is already planned for 2016.

Showville, an international format, is somewhat like SA's Got Talent, and will be scouring South Africa's "overlooked" towns to find contestants with interesting talents whose skills are put to a "town vote".

SABC2 has been without a big-buzz reality talent show since it gave up on the Rapid Blue produced show after two seasons in 2012, which e.tv took over with great success.

While SABC1 added The X-Factor SA, SABC3 successfully revived Strictly Come Dancing and M-Net continues with the evergreen Idols, SABC2 hopes that a local version of Showville - an international format series from Sony - will bring the channel some of the buzz and ratings its been missing out on.

SABC2 is even bringing back Rob van Vuuren as co-host for Showville, who used to be one of the hosts of SA's Got Talent while that show was carried on SABC2. He will co-present Showville's 26 episodes with Bontle Modiselle.

The first season of Showville on SABC2 will only visit the three provinces of the Western Cape, the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal for the first season and the production is currently working through the town selection.

Townsfolk in Gauteng and other provinces will be included for the second season next year.

Towns which are already included in Showville's first season range from Ceres, De Doorns, Montagu, Ladismith, Uniondale, Sedgefield and Albertinia to Simon's Town, Darling, Piketberg, Riversdale, Genadendal and Bredasdorp to Gansbaai.

The South African version of Showville is a co-production between two production companies, Okuhle Media and Cooked in Africa Films, with executive producers Louise McClelland and Peter Gird.

"We're looking for unusual quirky acts - jugglers, magicians, uni-cycling clowns, comedians - we're not excluding singers and dancers - everyone is welcome to audition," says Louise McClelland from Okuhle Media.

"We will share the, often magical, real stories behind the talent, reminding ordinary South Africans that there is always something extraordinary around every corner if we care to look for it."

"We as a team, have chased this format for more than two years now and the fact that it has become a reality is thrilling for all of us," says Peter Gird from Cooked in Africa Films.

"Talent shows are entrenched into our diverse culture and so we can't wait to see who will come out to entertain South Africa."

"We're hoping that when people from small towns across the country hear Showville is coming to their town, that they'll be inspired to get out their tap shoes, dust off their juggling balls and consider taking their singing in the shower to centre stage," says Maritha Greenland, SABC2 commissioning editor.

"From the auditions to the coaching, through to show night, SABC2 will be there to capture each memorable moment," says Maritha Greenland.

As Showville visits small towns, Rob van Vuuren and Bontle Modiselle will choose four finalists whose performances are put to a town vote to decide who wins R10 000.

The finalists will receive coaching and mentoring before a big performance in the local town hall or community centre where residents will then vote for their favourite performer on the night.

Food Network's celebrity chefs Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad teaming up to present new show, Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy.

The Food Network (DStv 175) celebrity chefs Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad have teamed up and are filming a brand new edutainment cooking teaching show Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy in South Africa which will be broadcast on the channel from later this year.

It's the first TV production in which Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad, both beloved and recognised faces on the Food Network in their own shows, are starring and working together as co-presenters of the new show teaching would-be chefs how to create a delicious feast while passing on cooking tips.

Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy, a first season which will consist out of 25 half hour episodes, was commissioned by Scripps Networks UK & Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) with filming which recently started at Okuhle Media's studios in Cape Town.

Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy was commissioned by Gareth Williams, the vice president for commissioning at Scripps Networks UK & EMEA, with Louise McClelland of Okuhle Media as executive producer.

In Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad help amateur chefs across South Africa in their custom-designed studio with tips and techniques on how to cook like a professional.

From basics to Mediterranean and Asian-inspired dishes, the chefs bring their unique and now combined sense of humour to this new show as they put the participants through their paces.

"We are proud to be launching a new format with Jenny and Reza who have been a huge hit with our audiences across the region," says Phillip Luff, the managing director for Scripps Networks UK & EMEA.

"Our continued investment in our talent and original commissions has allowed for us to expand our portfolio as one of the world's leading producers of engaging lifestyle content."