7th season of Ultimate Braai Master to film in Nelson Mandela Bay over 6 weeks as a contained Covid-safe bubble show, will broadcast on e.tv and stream on Netflix.

by Thinus Ferreira

The reality competition show Ultimate Braai Master has been picked up for a 7th season and will this time be broadcast on e.tv and streamed on Netflix SA while it has become the second series that will be produced as a Covid-19-safe bubble production in the Eastern Cape following shortly on the heels of M-Net's upcoming latest season of Survivor SA that was also shot in the province.

Gqeberha, previously Port Elizabeth, will pay R2 million to the production of the 7th season of Ultimate Braai Master, with host Justin Bonello, for the series to film a self-contained season within the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality. 

In previous seasons, Ultimate Braai Master produced by Okuhle Media, would criss-cross South Africa in roadtrips for braai challenges at various scenic locations in the country.

However, with the ongoing Covid-pandemic, the only viable and practical possibility is to film a new season of Ultimate Braai Master over the course of 6 weeks that is geographically contained. This is similar to what Afrokaans did for M-Net with Survivor SA: Immunity Island in the Eastern Cape that will play out on the Wild Coast from June.

Besides Justin Bonello, the chef-judges Peter Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng will return to judge the braai challenges in which teams of two compete against each other to win R1 million. 

The season of 13 episodes will again be shown on e.tv and for the first time in Ultimate Braai Master history, on Netflix SA as well.

About the Nelson Mandela Bay metro paying R2 million to the show, mayor Nqaba Bhanga in a statement says that "We believe sport and entertainment unifies our people, it's not about politics. We support this - this show will put us on Netflix, we will be watched by the entire globe and throughout South Africa and we will be the centre of attraction".

"We don't want to compete with Durban and Cape Town, we are competing with the world. We are not setting the bar low."

"We want to see value for money as our hospitality industry has suffered and we want to inject money that will assist the industry."

Thsonono Buyeye, deputy exeuctive mayor, says "We welcome this show, the exposure that we will be receiving as a city is massive. We fully support this, we wish to thank SRAC, I think this is a brilliant one that we should support. It is what we have been calling for; that we should be a destination of choice for such events".

Coronavirus: Cape Town's Okuhle Media reopens its studio for TV production, 'stepping up to the plate like never before'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Cape Town's Okuhle Media has reopened its studios for television production after South Africa's national lockdown period was changed to Level 4.

"We're stepping up to the plate like never before,"’ says Wilna van Schalkwyk, Okuhle Media managing director, production & executive producer.

Okuhle Media is responsible for shows like SABC3's youth strand Hectic on 3, Hectic Nine-9 on SABC2, and the advertiser-funded production (AFP) reality competition show Ultimate Braai Master on e.tv and Travel Channel (DStv 179).

"These are days of isolation and uncertainty, and our youth needs a strong, collective guiding light. It is not only up to us guide them in awareness and communicate the most up-to-date information in their own voice, but to give them back their platforms so that they get to have their own discussions, find their own creative outlets, and stir their own inspiration," says Wilna van Schalkwyk.

"It is a new world for all of us and as the Okuhle Media team, we have used this unusual reprieve of lockdown to have robust conversations, dream new possibilities, and explore new ways to remain relevant to both our audiences and our clients, continuing our philosophy of delivering beyond expectation."

TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Over the past week M-Net rolled out 7 new local shows across its M-Net, Mzansi Magic and kykNET channels on DStv. Here's how many it bothered to show the media: 1 - and why it's a big problem.

It was a case of finding the One: Over the past week M-Net rolled out 7 noteworthy and brand-new local series and new seasons of existing shows across its M-Net (DStv 101), Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and kykNET (DStv 144) channels on MultiChoice's DStv, then stood back and waited for DStv subscribers and the media to magically know about it, engage with it, watch it, and buzz about it.

Out of iThemba (1Magic) and Abobaba (Mzansi Wethu), Ifalakhe (Mzansi Magic), Okuhle Media's Finding the One and The Odyssey (M-Net) as well as Liefde Sonder Grense and Moebius Films' Fynskrif II (kykNET) that all started broadcasting this past week, the Randburg-based pay-TV broadcaster only bothered to do one - one (and a feeble attempt at that): A screening of Ifalakhe, and just for some Johannesburg-based media.

Neither M-Net, Mzansi Magic nor kykNET could be bothered to issue digital screeners, which takes the form of either an online site where a watermarked-protected version of an episode can be streamed, or an emailed link directing TV critics and press to a site where they can watch or download an episode for review purposes.

There were no set visits while any of these shows were in production in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, nor invitations from any of the channels' publicity divisions to interview anybody prior to the linear broadcast debut date of any of these shows.

For Ifalakhe, an new African period drama from Stained Glass Productions filmed in Durban, Mzansi Magic did a so-so media event to screen an episode in Johannesburg it couldn't bother to tell any national media outside of the city about, with no digital screeners for media not there or who couldn't attend.

From just before each of these shows made their individual debut on the various M-Net channels across DStv, as well as over the subsequent days after broadcast this past week, print media and online have of course been burning up with many reviews, stories about these shows, articles and interviews, and a flurry of coverage telling viewers what these shows are about and whether they're worth watching.

Unfortunately, sadly, not.

In fact, the opposite is true, with hardy any articles or exposure for any of these shows that cost money and that took months to make.

Even when a channel like Mzansi Magic was asked - please! - help with a way or screeners to see your new shows all starting at the same time, the response from Mzansi Magic was a tepid "we'll get back to you". (Which didn't happen anyway).

While journalists and TV critics covering television and the TV industry in South Africa are more and more inundated by digital screeners from companies, channels and streaming services ranging from HBO, Discovery, the BBC, National Geographic, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video for their shows, South Africa's own TV biz shockingly keeps falling further and further behind when it comes to properly showcasing, pushing and promoting its own so-called, valued "local content".

How really "valued" are these local content TV lemmings, all rushing down a cliff in an impossible-to-catch cascade, if broadcasters make it very clear and show that they can't be bothered to show it and promote it through previews to the press?

The 168 hours in a week remain finite.

When journalists and TV critics in South Africa get to preview and watch BBC Studios' Serengeti or Amazon Prime Video's Carnival Row or HBO's Los Espookys ahead of time, that's one hour or more less available to watch something local on the SABC, M-Net, Mzansi Magic, e.tv or any of the local flurry of TV channels.

These local channels - even places like Viacom Africa producing more more local shows - don't seem interested and have absolutely no standardised system in place to provide screeners to, or to do, screenings of their new content for the media.

While the rest of the world's broadcasters have moved on, the majority of South Africa's TV channels are largely in the dark as to how the concept of media previews in terms of content screeners have evolved and the technology, services, sites and press portals being used. Even worse is that they don't bother to try and find out.

MultiChoice and M-Net keeps churning out local content, oblivious to the fact that the majority of the media are not watching it because of a lack of screeners, and that rivals like Netflix, Amazon and international channels are increasingly monopolising journalists and reviewers' available time and attention by sending them easy-to-access screeners.

When journalists and professional reviewers of TV content (whose job it is to watch and try and make sense about it for the consuming public) are struggling and can't get through all of the shows rolled out at almost the same time by local broadcasters, what chance does a casual viewer stand of not just watching it all, but in terms of content discovery even knowing what's on and what's actually worth seeing?

How difficult is it really in a digital age to screen or send a watermarked-protected screener to trusted media to view on a specialised site or service like MediaSilo used by places like Amazon Prime Video, BBC Studios and even National Geographic, or to upload a watermarked episode as unlisted content to YouTube for a limited number of days with a specific link to it sent to media?

MultiChoice complains that Netflix is stealing DStv subscribers but hasn't woken up to the fact yet that the M-Net, Mzansi Magic and kykNET channels have fallen far behind what the best practice standard is these days when it comes to media screeners and previewing content to the press.

It's not just that DStv subscribers are being lured away by international players.

It's that MultiChoice hasn't yet grasped the extent to which the pay-TV service itself is impeding the coverage it could get for shows in the media as it relates to previews.

MultiChoice and its M-Net channels haven't yet realised the exposure it could get when it sets up and standardises a system to get the media to see the content it makes ahead of time for review purposes - or why it's important.

While MultiChoice and M-Net does Finding the One, South Africa's media covering TV is missing the screener.

Pilot episode, 2 Weddings & a Superstar, from Okuhle Media for A+E Networks in which hip hop star AKA sings for wedding couples to serve as a broadcast tester and opener for Lifetime's Wedding Week from 9 September.

A new hourlong local South African TV special, 2 Weddings & a Superstar, will be broadcast on Monday 9 September on Lifetime (DStv 131) with the pilot episode in which the South African hip hop artist AKA surprises two couples getting married, that will serve as a broadcast tester for possible pick-up as a TV series.

With South African television experiencing Peak Wedding TV with localised wedding shows on channels ranging from Viacom Africa's BET, to M-Net, Mzansi Magic, Moja Love, VIA, 1Magic and others, Kiernan Forbes will infuse two local weddings with celebrity power similar to shows like Wedding Bashers, Our Perfect Wedding and Marry Me Now SA.

In the 45-minute 2 Weddings & a Superstar, produced by Okuhle Media for A+E Networks Africa, viewers will be shown how AKA shows up at two different weddings - both taking place in Cape Town - to sing for them.

Each couple getting married are unaware that AKA will show up but have been pre-selected because they are fans of his music.

A+Networks Africa confirmed to TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry that the TV special is a pilot episode for a possible series in which different local artists could surprise different wedding couples on their big day.

In a statement, AKA says "I have made some music and drawn some inspiration in terms of the style in some of the songs that I’ve made, that are kind of tailor-made for weddings. So, it’s a cool experience for me to be able to enhance somebody’s big day in this way".

"Hopefully for our couples, their weddings are going to be something they will remember in a really positive light for the rest of their lives."

The 2 Weddings & a Superstar pilot special will serve as a localised programming introduction entry to Lifetime's first "Wedding Week" on the channel for South Africa and Africa with stacked wedding-themed programming.

"Wedding Week is a celebration of the romance, the excitement, and the drama that is synonymous with weddings and wedding planning," says Fatime Kaba, the recently appointed A+E Networks Africa's head of programming.

"From AKA crashing weddings to a long list of brand new and exclusive wedding-themed reality shows and movies, viewers will get to experience all the highs and lows associated with tying the knot, as only Lifetime can deliver."

Lifetime's Wedding Week programming will include new seasons of Four Weddings on 11 September at 20:05 and Bridezilla on 12 September at 20:05, and the premiere of Marrying Millions on 13 September at 21:00.

Lifetime will also broadcast new Lifetime Original wedding movies during Wedding Week on weekdays from 14:35 and weekends from 19:20. Lifetime's Wedding Week will also have "wall-to-wall wedding content" all day on the Saturday and Sunday.

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."

Okuhle Media partners with newcomers Dumile Films to tell new, better, black Cape Town stories in a new TV and film production partnership.

Okuhle Media has partnered with newcomers, Dumile Films, to eventually try and tell new and better, black Cape Town stories as part of a new TV and film production partnership, as well as to help with further, much-needed transformation of South Africa's and Cape Town's TV and film industry.

As the need for local South African TV and film productions continue to grow, Okuhle Media decided to partner with Dumile Films to help with the proactive development of black stories and story tellers in South Africa and Cape Town.

The partnership is starting out by including team members of Dumile Films into the Okhule Media-produced youth show, Hectic Nine-9, done for the SABC's SABC2 channel, as part of the core crew and content development teams.

Through this the Dumile Film's team gets consistent practical experience working on a daily TV production.

Okuhle Media and Dumile Films are looking to create a joint skills development programme, and are also making plans to try and partner with an institution of higher education within Cape Town.

Dumile Films produced Nkululeko for Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) that had its first season in 2018.

 The lack of thorough representation and executive transformation within South Africa's TV and film production industry has been an ongoing challenge faced by the industry for close to 3 decades, and while the call for various policies and talent amendments have been pointed out, limited focus has been placed on the sustainable transformation and meaningful skills transfer within the industry. 

"We started our production company to curb the accepted practice of 'guessed culture' when it comes to the creation and production of black stories, especially in Cape Town," says Sibulele Siko-Shosha, the founder and creative director and producer at Dumile Films. 

"The partnership with Okuhle Media provides us with the support, resources and opportunities to create and produce content that is authentic and of quintessential quality."

"The brain-drain within Cape Town's creative sector, especially TV and film production is a huge concern for us as most creatives end up opting to search for career opportunities in Johannesburg and Durban as those provinces have positioned themselves well as being friendly to the development and production of black stories," says Sibulele Siko-Shosha.  

Prejlin Naidoo, Okuhle Media's group managing executive says "Consistent hands-on industry experience is the most important ingredient to ensure that there is sustainable transformation in any industry."

"Authentic cultural representation in content does much more than just entertain – it instills a sense of pride and empowering sense of social responsibility in those being represented; this is why a partnership such as this is important. It encourages the owners of the stories to be responsible for telling them and become direct recipients from the various value chains within production."

"Transformation-influenced partnerships have a reputation of being taken at face value as it is seldom that the participants follow through," says Prejlin Naidoo.

"Our commitment with Dumile Films holds us both accountable to our promise and passion for transformation in the industry. Our promise to them is to provide them with access to resources and support to help them grow to become the production powerhouse that their potential indicates that they can be."

M-Net doubles up on love-seeking reality with Finding the One produced by Okuhle Media; now looking for people to enter.

M-Net is doubling up on love-seeking reality and has commissioned Finding the One, a new blind-dating reality show as a companion show to The Bachelor South Africa that will start on the channel on Valentines Day, 14 February 2019.

Entries for Finding the One will close on 14 February, with the new series, produced by Okuhle Media, that will start on M-Net (DStv 101) during the second half of 2019.

Finding the One, described as "a fresh and fun-filled highly original new blind-dating reality show" is specifically for "everyone who has lost faith in impersonal online sites and apps for desperate singles", as well as people who have had their hearts broken too many times in the past.

"Finding The One will hand back the matchmaking power to real people, the ones who know you best – your friends and family," says M-Net.

People who want to find the one - with a little help from their loved ones, or who want to nominate a lonely soul deserves your help, can enter at www.mnet.tv/findingtheone.

In Finding the One, three people who want only the absolute best for a single friend or family member, join forces to take on the important task of identifying three potential love interests from a dating pool.

During the first crucial phase, the panel of three will sift through potential dating diamonds and dust.

They will consider every single piece of information they can dig up about the potential love matches, grill them with difficult questions, dissect their social media profiles and conduct compatibility gauges.

Once the investigation has been completed, three candidates will get the  green light for a group date with the panel, allowing them  to probe a little deeper, test compatibility and size up the candidates.

This is also where the power starts to shift. The panel now also has to persuade the potential love interests, and the final chosen one, that their single friend is indeed a catch in a million.

Will the panel manage to identify and hone a true "connection"? If it's a "yes", their chosen one will go on a high-stakes blind date with their single friend. If not, the friend will arrive alone at a romantic dinner table for two. 

The question is: Do your friends "get you" enough to find you the one, and will that one be attracted to you in return? 

"There's a great deal of jeopardy involved in this one-of-a-kind new dating show that will create loads of drama, suspense and fun," says Lani Lombard, M-Net's head of publicity.

"We have been bringing viewers local versions of the very best big-format international reality shows, but shows like The Wedding Bashers and The Wild Ones have recently showed that our viewers also crave formats that are created by our own content creators."

"Finding the One is an innovative, entertaining way of showcasing South Africans who want to do what’s best and see their dear ones happy and in love. It's a great family show with which everyone will be able to identify!"

M-Net is looking for a diverse array of potential love seekers across genders and sexual preferences.

You have to be South African citizen and be over the age of 18 and single – either never married or legally divorced. The three panel members can include family members, colleagues, friends or even former lovers, who will know your romantic needs, and meet the requirements stipulated in the terms and conditions published on the M-Net website.

Okuhle Media behind chef Zola Nene's latest TV cooking show vehicle; with 13-episode, Celeb Feasts with Zola, starting on Mzansi Magic on 8 January 2019.

Celeb Feasts with Zola is a new cooking show that will start on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Tuesday 8 January at 21:30 with chef Zola Nene cooking with celebrities.

The 13-episode Celeb Feasts with Zola, produced by Okuhle Media, is a cooking-talk show in which the chef does three recipes per episode while interviewing a guest and sharing cooking and baking tips with viewers in Zola's kitchen.

Okuhle Media says Celeb Feasts with Zola will shows viewers how to prepare quintessential South African cuisine, while sharing personal stories from role models that can help to change lives.

By the time her guests arrive, Zola Nene would have already prepared the starter. Then both celebrity and Zola go to work in the kitchen as they chop, peel, stir and share fond memories and moments that have shaped their lives.

Hectic Nine-9 presenter Anomsa Vantyi leaves SABC2 after 7 years; Mpho Sibeko joins e.tv soap Scandal!.

The Hectic Nine-9 presenter Anomsa Vantyi (right) is leaving SABC2's youth afternoon show Hectic Nine-9 after being seen on it for the past 7 years, while actor Mpho Sibeko has joined e.tv's weekday prime time soap Scandal!, making his first appearance on 9 November.

Anomsa Vantyi is leaving the Okuhle Media produced show, 7 years after he made his first appearance in 2011 when he started as the Eastern Cape regional presenter. 

After four years of representing Port Elizabeth, Anomsa Vantyi joined Hectic Nine-9 as a permanent studio presenter in Cape Town in February 2015.

Okuhle Media says Anomsa Vantyi "has chosen to pursue other adventures, and the Hectic Nine-9 family is excited to see where his next adventure takes him".

"Hectic Nine-9 wishes Anomsa success in his future endeavours and will cherish his 'Hectic' presence from his time on the daily youth variety show".

Meanwhile actor Mpho Sibeko has joined the Ochre Moving Pictures produced Scandal! on e.tv and will make his first appearance on 9 November.

Mpho Sibeko plays the role of Samson Ngema, a nephew of Mlungisi Ngema, and is a seemingly charming young pastor and prophet who is going to cause havoc. 

He previously appeared on e.tv'ssister soap Rhythm City, as well as e.tv's Gold Diggers telenovela.

SABC2's small-town talent-seeking competition show, Showville, renewed for a 2nd season, now seeking more rural contestants.

SABC2's small-town talent-seeking competition show Showville that has been renewed for a second season, has started its second batch of national auditions and is now looking for new rural contestants.

The first local season of the international format show Showville was broadcast in 2016 with the second season's format remaining the same.

The second season, again produced by Okuhle Media, does auditions in small towns across South Africa with people, having all kinds of talents, who can line up for auditions to perform. Finalists are chosen and are then coached by mentors in preparation for a big show performance in front of their families and the town's audience. The winner gets R10 000 and a trophy as the star of their town.

Presenters Lorcia Cooper and Morena "The Squire" Sefatsa are replacing Rob van Vuuren and Bontle Modiselle, who are scouring small-town South Africa for weird, wonderful and unusual acts and performances.

The Showville production will be visiting the following South African towns during July and August: Louis Trichardt (Makohado) (19 July), Tzaneen (23 July), Phalaborwa (26 July), Lydenburg (Mashishing) (30 July), Sabie (2 August), White River (6 August), Baberton (9 August), Ermelo (13 August), Piet Retief (16 August), Volksrust (20 August), Standerton (23 August) and Bethal (27 August).

People older than 16 can enter individually or in a group of up to 4 people, and need to show up at the Showville audition venue from 10:30 for registration and then perform for the producers.

Teen drama, Signal High, from Okuhle Media returns to SABC2 as a stand-alone series for a third season.

The local teen drama filmed in Cape Town, Signal High, has returned to SABC2, this time as a stand-alone series for a third season.

Produced by Okuhle Media, the teen-focused show that was incorporated into SABC2's youth afternoon block, Hectic Nine-9, is back after a 4 year break and now as its own stand-alone series with episodes on Fridays at 17:00.

The previous two seasons of  the edutainment Signal High on Hectic Nine-9 dealt with issues ranging from bullying and deceit to lying, homosexuality and cheating.

Signal High, set at the fictional Cape Town high school, was a hit with viewers when it first debuted in 2013 and tackled real-life issues facing teens, with a second season that was shown a year later.

Now the show is back after 4 years but as a fully-fledged drama series with its own timeslot, consisting out of 13 episodes of 24 minutes each.

The new Signal High season has a new cast including Amanda (Unathi Sokhela) and her fellow students Zolani (Misha Solanga), Zakes (Daluxolo Xusha), Zuko (Ntobeko Shishi), Winnie (Zimasa Dyani) and Sam (Tyron McKinnon) as they navigate the highs and lows of teen life at a school grappling with transformation and reconstruction.

The new season also touches on Signal High’s struggling principal, Mrs Crawford (Lynita Crofford), its militant and ambitious vice principal, Mr Motsamayi (Sakhumzi Mbele), and new teacher and avid student supporter, Ms Goodman (Stephanie Schildknecht).

"As before, Signal High’s third outing will weave together the social issues that teens face with must-see drama for an engaging look at what it means to grow up in modern South Africa," says the producers.

The SABC's Hectic Nine-9 youth strand changes, expands: SABC2 show will now target teenagers as new Hectic on 3 block on SABC3 will be aimed at tweens.

The SABC is changing the focus of its afternoon youth strand Hectic Nine-9 by targeting an older skewing demo on SABC2 from today, and also expanding the brand to SABC3 with the introduction of a new afternoon block on that channel entitled Hectic on 3 aimed at a tween audience.

From today the SABC2 youth show Hectic Nine-9, as part of a revamp ordered by the channel and the SABC Children division, is targeting older youth viewers, specifically those between the ages of 14 and 16, although younger viewers can still watch the 30-minute programme between 16:30 and 17:00 on weekdays.

Hectic Nine-9 on SABC2 that launched in 2007, retains the established presenters of Chanelle Davids, Anomsa Vantyi and Esona Sogayise and have added Zintle Tunce, Clint Sawyer and Charnte Hartzenberg.

The show says its skewing older to adapt to kids who are more tech-savvy and socially conscious in the age bracket now dropping the tween audience on SABC2 and focusing on teens.

Tweens can tune in to SABC3 from today with the new Hectic on 3 strand that will play out on weekdays between 15:00 and 15:30 aimed at viewers between 8 and 12.

Hectic Nine-9 and Hectic on 3 are both produced by Okuhle Media.

Okuhle Media says Hectic on 3 will "address issues that affect our sophisticated tween audiences, as they navigate the changes from childhood to teenage years and discover who they want to be as their independence grows".

The Hectic on 3 presenter will be Boitumelo "Melo" Moloto.

"With over a decade worth of experience in children's television, we're extremely proud about the new shift for the Hectic brand," says Wilna van Schalkwyk, series producer.

"We can now focus specifically on our teen audience with Hectic Nine-9, and can now branch out and focus on a brand-new tween audience with Hectic on 3".

Teen variety show Hectic Nine-9 on SABC2 turns 10; will celebrate its decade-old anniversary with a new set and past presenters' reunion.

SABC2's youth variety programming block Hectic Nine-9 will celebrate its 10th anniversary today at 16:00 and reveal a new Cape Town set where the show is filmed by Okuhle Media, and include a reunion of current and former presenters.

"Hectic Nine-9 is, and always has been, for, by and about the viewers," says Noleen Nagel, Hectic Nine-9 producer.

"Hectic Nine-9 has, for years, been a place where South Africa's youth come together, and for the past 10 years, the show has produced content that has cemented its place as SABC2's flagship tween and teen program," says Zandil Nkosi, SABC Children commissioning editor.

"The birthday celebrations are SABC2's gift to the South African youth for continuing to tune into Hn9 and for making the show the success that it is today."

Hectic Nine-9 will unveil a new set today, completely rebuilt for the show's 10th anniversary. The show's audience will include Hectic Nine-9 friends and fans, with a old presenters' reunion included, as well as live performances from local South African artists.

The Hectic Nine-9 presenters Laurian Nortje and Ayanda Makuzeni, both of whom have been presenters since the first episode in 2007 say "viewers grew up with the show and are still loyal fans 10 years later. It’s an enormous privilege to be able to welcome some of them as VIP guests".

Hectic Nine-9 producers and presenter Samora Mangesi apologise for racist remarks, 'what I said on live TV was very ignorant and extremely childish'.

The producers and a presenter of the SABC2 afternoon youth timeslot Hectic Nine-9 are apologising for the racist comments the presenter Samora Mangesi made last week, saying his behaviour on live televsion was "distateful, insensitive and completely unacceptable".

The SABC2 youth presenter will now undergo formal tolerance counselling.

Samora Mangesi on Wednesday on SABC2 mocked coloured people's pronunciation of the word "Pac-Man" on-air, similar to eNCA anchor Andrew Barnes who was suspended and given a disciplinary hearing earlier this year after mocking the minister of basic education, Angie Motshekga's pronunciation of "epitome" during a news broadcast.

In a recorded message, Samora Mangesi who joined Hectic Nine-9 in mid-2013 is now apologising, saying "I was talking about old-school gaming and I made a joke regarding coloured people's pronunciation of the word Pac-Man".

"I know that my remarks were grossly distateful and very inappropriate and I know that I offended a lot of avid fans and avid viewers of the show as well and I'd like to apologise wholeheartedly for that".

"I know that what I said was very ignorant and extremely childish. I regret what I said and it was never my intent to hurt anyone's feelings or make anyone feel bad about themselves. It was sincerely just a joke between two colleagues and two friends," said Samora Mangesi.

"I have since learnt that anything that I say, even if it's in jest, can impact people's lives in a negative or positive way. I am extremely sorry and I promise to do better next that I'm on air."

Shelly Scheepers from Okuhle Media says  the production company doing the show for SABC2 wants to sincerely apologise for the racial comment made by Samora Mangesi during the live broadcast.

"The producers of Hectic Nine-9 fully acknowledge the severity of his comment and we are taking it very seriously."

"As we are a live show it is not always possible for us to have 100% control over what happens while we are on air, this is the one unfortunate thing about the live television environment."

"We agree that what Samora said in jest was distasteful, insensitive and completely unacceptable, and wish to distance the show from this view."

Samora Mangesi will now undergo formal counselling in tolerance, says Shelly Scheepers.

Samora's Apology
We would like to sincerely apologise for the racial comment made by our presenter Samora Mangesi on the live broadcast of Hectic Nine-9 on Wednesday, 3rd February 2016.The Producers of Hectic Nine-9 fully acknowledge the severity of his comment and we are taking it very seriously. As we are a live show it is not always possible for us to have 100% control over what happens while we are on air, this is the one unfortunate thing about the live television environment.We agree that what Samora said in jest was distasteful, insensitive and completely unacceptable, and wish to distance the show from this view.We are in discussion with Samora and he will offer a more formal apology to our viewers. He will unreservedly retract the statement and undergo formal counsel in tolerance.RegardsHN9 TEAM
Posted by Hectic Nine-9 on Tuesday, February 9, 2016

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."

Local teen high school drama, Signal High, returning to SABC2's Hectic Nine-9 for a second season.

The locally produced high school drama set in Cape Town, Signal High, is returning to SABC2's afternoon youth programming block Hectic Nine-9 for a second miniseries season.

The second season of Signal High produced by Okuhle Media will start on SABC2 in Hectic Nine-9 on Tuesday, 16 September and continue dealing as an educational dramatic show with issues like bullying, deceit, lying, homosexuality and cheating.

"At the heart of the show are topics ranging from prescription drugs, sexuality, disability and even initiation," says Noleen Nagel, the content producer of Signal High's second season.

"Not only are the youth able to be represented, but they also gain insights into the circumstances affecting the lives of other young South Africans across the traditional and cultural spectrum".

"I felt a real sense of intensity on set in this year," says David Stein, Hectic Nine-9 producer. "I believe that this was because the issues we were addressing are so real and cut so close to the vein for many young people in this country".

David Stein says Signal High is made as great drama and entertainment, but that the show is committed to dealing with real issues in a responsible and sensitive way.

The second season of Signal High was shot at Delia Sainsbury & Paul Griffiths' Waterfront Theatre School with last season's cast which returned to set.

"The Waterfront Theatre School is once again delighted to be associated with Signal High and the creative team from Okuhle Media," says Paul Griffiths. "The benefits for our students of having this opportunity to work closely with an experienced production team on such an exciting project cannot be underestimated".

The shoot schedule for this season was significantly longer and more elaborate with a more extensive narrative and an epic and dramatic ending, including the much anticipated Signal High talent show".