Filming starts on season 6 of Primedia Studios and Homebrew Films' MasterChef SA for e.tv as Filmscape's LED Volume adds a virtual tasting expansion

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's MasterChef SA contestants for the upcoming 6th season on e.tv from 22 February will suddenly find themselves at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, among golden hay bales on a farm, as well as Nelson Mandela's statue at Sandton Square - all without having ever left Atlantic Studios in Cape Town.

Filming of Primedia Studios' 6th season of MasterChef SA, done by Homebrew Films at Atlantic Studios in Cape Town, has started and for the first time in the history of the South African reality cooking competition series, a virtual video wall is being incorporated as an additional environment besides the MasterChef SA kitchen.

To seamlessly immerse the MasterChef SA contestants into other realms, the Banijay-format show is making use of Filmscape's revolutionary LED Volume - Africa's first - in Milnerton. 

For certain tasting and judging segments, the contestants and MasterChef SA judges will leave the MasterChef SA kitchen and walk a stone's throw distance to the curvature of the massive "in vision" wall that will display a backdrop of Paris, a yellow farm field, as well as Johannesburg's Sandton precinct.

Cutting down on costs for on-location shoots, while being able to control the lighting and removing any hindrances like wind, Homebrew Films is able to bake and make MasterChef SA scenes for the 6th season on e.tv to perfection - crafting scenes that look like they're set outdoors with an Instagram-reel feel.

Charl Marais, Filmscape general manager, told TVwithThinus during a MasterChef SA set visit last week, that the LED Volume suddenly opened up more possibilities for the show in terms of what's possible, similar to all of the other productions that have started to embrace the technology, the studio space and the LED Volume over the past three years.

"It's extremely time-effective and cost-effective, so it increases productivity. Producers and directors get more done, faster, and also more precisely since they're in even more control over even more environmental factors when placing scenes within the LED Volume".

Although done far down at the bottom end of Africa, Banijay had absolutely no qualms about Homebrew Films incorporating a virtual environment for the new MasterChef SA season after the idea of using the LED Volume was pitched.

With Primedia Studios and Homebrew Films' proven track record of rekindling MasterChef SA for a 4th season on M-Net in 2022, followed by a 5th season for SABC3, the South African version will again take a kitchen leap forward by adding virtual video wall backdrops for the 6th season.

"The setup and turnaround time is very quick, the contestants, judges and guests remain contained without having to be transported away from studio, and get to play, compete and taste in beautiful additional environments," Charl Marais explains.

Filming of the 6th season of MasterChef SA will be completed in mid-December with the new season of 26 episodes that will start on e.tv on Sunday, 22 February 2026, in the plum timeslot of 18:00.

All three MasterChef SA judges - Zola Nene, Justine Drake and chef Katlego Mlambo - are back for the 6th season.

Justine Drake told TVwithThinus "the MasterChef SA contestants this season are definitely quite good cooks".

"They've also improved at a very rapid rate. The new season is more 'contestant-forward' if that's a word. It relies more on them and they're delivering - a lot of different characters: A lot of colours and cultures."

Zola Nene said "What's evident this year is definitely an elevated level of creativity - the ideas that they come up with are very outside the box. Some of their ideas seem TikTok inspired, so the level of creativity is evident".

Katlego Mlambo said "this is my second season and together with Justine and Zola we're an amazing trifecta together in looking at what the contestants come up with and are trying to surprise us with and us judging what they plate for us".

About the contestants, he says "I think food has evolved so much the last seven years. It's much more of a culture now - making food is quite a 'dreamy' job to have, so your Instagrams, your TikToks, your Facebooks: Everyone's a content creator now and everyone's a food content creator".

"Mzansi food has grown so much because we are doing all of the European trends, and all of the American trends, but we are also adding a Mzansi South African flavour to it".

Primedia brings more localised format shows to South African television with Denim Richards' Opulent Entertainment

Thinus Ferreira

Primedia Studios that has proven success with bringing and placing localised and adapted global format shows on South African television will bring new seasons of Project Runway, The Voice, Idols and Dancing with the Stars to South African TV.

A misfired, extremely inept and badly done Project Runway SA was attempted by Khanyi Dhlomo's imploded Ndalo Pictures in 2018 for M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and was never seen again, while M-Net (DStv 101) had more success with several seasons of The Voice SA, Idols and Dancing with the Stars.

Primedia Studios is teaming with the American Yellowstone-star Denim Richards and his Opulent Entertainment Group to localise these format reality shows for South African television.

While no platforms have been announced, it's unlikely that Project Runway SA, The Voice SA, Idols or Dancing with the Stars SA will be on any of M-Net's packaged TV channels on DStv, or the financially struggling South African public broadcaster's SABC channels, although it remains a faint possibility.

There is a much greater chance for these localised versions to be allocated airtime on streamers like MultiChoice's Showmax or Netflix SA, eMedia's e.tv, or a number of other third-party supplied DStv channels like NBCUniversal International Networks' Bravo!.

Denim Richards' Opulent Entertainment Group which he co-founded with South African director Mandla Dube, has had success with producing the South African film Heart of the Hunter done for Netflix.

"We are honoured and incredibly excited to join forces with Denim and his Opulent Entertainment Group on a venture that will unearth new stars and infuse these four top-tier ‘shiny-floor’ shows with the spirit of Africa,” says Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president, in a statement.

"We share the same vision for the future of African storytelling, and Denim’s extensive experience oscillating between Hollywood and our home ground is part of what will take Primedia Studios’ content slate to the next level."

Denim Richards says "The key to the future and sustainability of entertainment in Africa lies in collaboration and opportunities".

"This collaboration with Primedia Studios is a multi-faceted, significant step forward. Shows like The Voice, Project Runway, Idols and Dancing with the Stars are a powerful platform for undiscovered talent from Africa – not only in front of the camera, but also behind the scenes."

Denim Richards says "Meeting Primedia Group CEO Jonathan Procter and his team has inspired us at Opulent Entertainment Group, since our dreams and vision are aligned."

Jonathan Procter says "Denim Richards is a force of nature. He will fundamentally change the future of creators and the industry in Africa and the way the world understands the creative soul of Africa."

Primedia Studios and Opulent Entertainment's collaboration follows after Primedia's work on revived localised formats for the South African market like Deal or No Deal SA, Deal or No Deal Celebrity, as well as MasterChef SA across various SABC channels of the South African public broadcaster.

Primedia Studios' Deal or No Deal Celebrity on SABC1 returns for second season from 14 June for 52 episodes fronted by special highlights debut on 7 June

by Thinus Ferreira

Primedia Studios' Deal or No Deal Celebrity game show is returning to SABC1 for a second season of 52 episodes from Saturday 14 June at 18:00 and will debut with a special season one highlights episode.

Primedia Studios does Deal or No Deal SA, as well as the Deal or No Deal Celebrity version for the South African public broadcaster, with Homebrew Films filming at Atlantic Studios in Cape Town.

Deal or No Deal Celebrity will run for another year and 52 hour-long episodes with a season one highlights episode that will be shown on SABC1 on Saturday 7 June. All episodes are available on the SABC's video streaming service SABC+ after broadcast.

Deal or No Deal Celebrity with Katlego Maboe as host will once again have a crop of South African singers, actors, TV presenters, comedians and sport stars playing with the hope of winning money for charities and other worthy causes.

During the first season run of the show, R2.2 million was paid out to more than 40 charity organisations operating across South Africa. 

Contestants can win anything between R1 to R250 000 with the outcome hinging on which briefcases they eliminate.

Primedia Studios nabs formats of entrepreneurial reality shows Side Hustlers and Double the Money for South African TV versions

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's Primedia Studios has secured the format rights and will be working with ITV Studios to bring two localised versions of the entrepreneurial reality shows Side Hustlers and Double the Money to South African TV screens.

Primedia Studios sees both shows with a strong entrepreneurial slant as productions that could aid in the education process around economic growth and small-business development in South Africa.

South Africa and Primedia Studios is the first territory to pick up the Side Hustlers format for a local adaptation.

Side Hustlers, initially developed by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine, follows determined female entrepreneurs who compete to transform their passion projects into fully-fledged investment-worthy businesses.

While juggling demanding day jobs in the hopes of pursuing their dream careers, they get guidance and mentorship from two powerhouse female businesswomen who then put them through a gruelling boot camp.

 

Side Hustlers first aired on the Roku channel in the United States, where it was commissioned for a second season.

In Double the Money, an original format from the United Kingdom, pairs of budding business hopefuls are pitted against the clock to double their starting funds – again and again – in a race to win a cash sum. 

If the out-of-the-box money-making schemes they devise during the show's challenges don't double their capital, they leave the competition with nothing.  

 

Double the Money had Denmark as its first international commission outside of the United Kingdom, with South Africa now second through Primedia Studios.

"We are incredibly excited to add these two refreshing, hugely entertaining and dream-catching formats to our current slate of licensed content," says Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president.

"Side Hustlers and Double the Money perfectly fit Primedia Studios' mission to provide unmissable top-notch video entertainment to diverse African audiences while placing a high premium on socio-economic transformation".

"While these shows will empower contestants to follow their business dreams, South African audiences can also gather invaluable tips and tricks of the trade to boost their own business ideas."

Ruth Berry, president of global partnerships & Zoo 55, ITV Studios, says "We are thrilled to see these entrepreneurial formats going to South African shores in partnership with Primedia Studios. We hope these fresh concepts are just what viewers have been waiting for."

The Primedia Studios broadcasting partners and production timelines for Double The Money and Side Hustlers are still pending.

Bongumusa Makhathini appointed Primedia Studios CEO as it enters 'industrial phase'

by Thinus Ferreira

Primedia Studios has appointed Bongumusa Makhathini as CEO.

Jan du Plessis remains as Primedia Studios president. Both Jan du Plessis and Bongumusa Makhathini will report directly to Jonathan Procter, Primedia Group CEO.

Besides serving as Primedia Studios CEO Bongumusa Makhathini, who is a former SABC board chairperson, will retain his oversight of Primedia OOH. He was appointed as Primedia Outdoor CEO in January 2023.

As Primedia Studios CEO  Bongumusa Makhathini will oversee studio operations, distribution agreements, and sponsorship initiatives and position content for both the local and international markets.

"I am eager to work alongside Bongumusa, whose leadership and vision will be instrumental in bringing these stories to life. Together, we have a unique opportunity to share the creative richness of Africa with the world, and I am committed to ensuring that our content pipeline reflects that depth," says Jan du Plessis.

Bongumusa Makhathini says "The world is ready for stories from Africa, and it is our responsibility to tell them authentically and powerfully".

"This is a pivotal moment for Primedia Studios, and I am excited to lead our team in creating impactful content pathways that resonate across cultures." 

Jonathan Procter says "We are entering an industrial phase for Primedia Studios".

"The creative potential of Africa is vast, and with Jan and Bongumusa steering our efforts, we are well-equipped to enjoy the energy of the creative industry and we will present compelling stories to a global digital audience that is underserved with content from our continent".

"Their combined expertise will be instrumental in advancing our content offering in a fast-evolving digital world." 

"As Primedia Studios embarks on this iterative journey, our collaborators, creators, and audiences are invited to celebrate the rich tapestry of African narratives ready to be shared with the world. Together, we can elevate the voices of the continent and showcase the extraordinary talent that defines the creative industries of Africa."

Kaye-Ann Williams to head up Netflix Africa's content as head of scripted films and series

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix has appointed South Africa's Kaye-Ann Williams as director of scripted content for Netflix Africa and she will join from February to oversee the video streaming service's scripted films and series in sub-Sahara Africa.

There is no word yet on how Kaye-Ann Williams' new role at Netflix aligns and fits in with what Dorothy Ghettuba has been doing at Netflix Africa. Dorothy Ghettuba's who is on leave is the director of content for Africa at Netflix.

Kaye-Ann Williams joins Netflix Africa from Primedia Studios where she was the vice president of content for a few months since the middle of 2024.

Before Primedia Studios Kaye-Ann Williams was the head of scripted series and movies at Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video for South Africa, until Amazon abruptly axed the unit at the beginning of last year.

Before that, Kaye-Ann Williams worked for several years at MultiChoice and M-Net overseeing series and film development and commissioning.

Besides the situation around Dorothy Ghettuba, Netflix also recently lost David Karanja who oversaw Netflix Africa's licensing of original content, as well as Tendeka Matatu who also exited the video streamer after three years where he was director of local language films.

Kaye-Ann Williams will be reporting into Ben Amadasun, Netflix vice president of Middle East & Africa content.

"I'm delighted to welcome Kaye-Ann to the team as we strengthen our long-term commitment to African storytelling," says Ben Amadasun, in a prepared quote.

"Kaye-Ann is a true champion of world-class storytelling and has worked with the best creative talent in South Africa, helping them to create some of the most ambitious projects on African television."

"I look forward to working alongside her to further build on the wonderful work the team has done so far to deliver compelling stories from Africa and to nurture our many local creative partnerships."

Bizarrely, the American trade website Deadline.com branded Netflix's general press release on Friday about Kaye-Ann Williams and Ben Amadasun's quote - something which is a basic executive appointment, announced through a press statement emailed out - an "exclusive".

The South African website Bizcommunity.com similarly slapped a ridiculous "exclusive" on Friday on exactly the same press release sent to Bizcommunity and other media by Netflix about Kaye-Ann Williams.

Besides the ridiculousness of two different places claiming "exclusive" over exactly the same Netflix appointment media announcement - which obviously can't both be true - is also the hilarious notion that a general press release that media didn't do any work for but was an emailed hand-out, can ever qualify as any kind of so-called "exclusive".

Celebrity MasterChef South Africa edition coming to SABC3

by Thinus Ferreira

Another season of Celebrity MasterChef South Africa will follow the end of the 5th season of the Primedia Studios produced food competition series on SABC3, with South African celebrities who will compete from Saturday 30 November at 20:30.

It will be only the second Celebrity MasterChef SA edition yet on South African television.

This new Celebrity MasterChef SA season comes after the first one which was screened in 2015 between the third and fourth seasons on M-Net - and follows a decade after this first celebrity version which was won by Chris Forrest.

Some of the contestants in the next Celebrity MasterChef South Africa include Expresso morning show presenter Graeme Richards, Siv Ngesi, Dineo Ranaka and singer Holly Rey who will battle it out behind their kitchenette stations to whip up food creations using ingredients from the Pick n Pay pantry. 

The celebrity contestants, using the same purpose-built MasterChef SA set constructed across the two-studio space at Atlantic Studios in Montague Gardens in Cape Town, will compete to win money for various charities.

To amortise the cost of the set and space, the Celebrity MasterChef South Africa season done as a localised version of the Banijay format, was filmed a few months ago already, directly after production of the fifth season ended. 

This is similar to how the first Celebrity MasterChef SA season was filmed at the time in conjunction with the third season.

Celebrity MasterChef SA will be followed by a new 6th season of MasterChef SA on SABC3, again with South African home cooks.

The revived MasterChef SA will conclude its fifth season this coming Saturday night on SABC3 when either Bridget Mangwandi (20, a consumer science student from Bloemfontein and the youngest contestant this season), Chanel Brink (34, an online foodie content creator from Johannesburg) or Nabila Shamshum (23, a school secretary from Johannesburg) will walk away as the winner.

Anele Mdoda on why South Africa needs the SABC to not fail and be successful

by Thinus Ferreira

The multi-hyphenate producer-presenter Anele Mdoda says South Africa's TV and film industry requires a strong South African public broadcaster that doesn't fail and an SABC that is successful.

Anele Mdoda spoke at the Primedia Studios-sponsored Women in Entertainment breakfast held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) where she was the keynote speaker and addressed a room of women who attended the MIP Africa 2024 TV market.

"We need a SABC. We need to work together to ensure that the SABC not fail, survives, works and is successful," she noted. 

"The BBC in the United Kingdom - the national anything - the vehicle through which we speak to the most people in South Africa - it is our job as creatives and as women in this industry to ensure its success. Regardless of whether anyone or anything is in competition with the SABC or not," she said.

Through her Rose and Oaks Media production company, Anele Mdoda in partnership with Primedia Studios is producing a localised format version of The Masked Singer SA as well as Ready, Steady, Cook for SABC3. 

Primedia Studios is also doing Wheel of Fortune SA, Deal or No Deal SA, and a new season of MasterChef SA through Homebrew Films for the SABC TV channels. 

"The people and places at the top are not competing. They are collaborating," Anele Mdoda said.

"This is how Primedia Studios gets into a deal with the SABC. Everyone was 'How is Primedia Studios there with SABC which is the enemy?"

"Jonathan Procter who is our CEO, simply said 'We are going to make content as Primedia Studios and we are going to give it to the SABC and we're going to sell it, and we're going to make money and we're going to help get the SABC out of its rut because if the SABC collapses then all of us are also done."

"Look at MultiChoice - who can we talk to over there? We've got this thing. Can we do this there? Give us that and we'll do it there or here. This whole thing of 'We don't talk to each other' - it won't take any of us anywhere," Anele Mdoda remarked.

"Put your hands up if you've worked at one media place your entire career. Put your hand up if you've worked at more than one media place in your career," she said as many hands went up.

"If you do things where you block people from doing something, you're cutting yourself off. Do not worry about what you're not. Surround yourself with the people who do it the best. It's an orchestra. It's an ensemble."

"We're all good. We are all playing different instruments. Pick up your instrument and shine at that. Don't worry about the harp if you're not the harp. Don't worry if you're not the violinist. Go where you are skilled and piece it all together and then everyone is going to succeed."

Why MasterChef SA's 5th season axed 5 contestants in the debut episode.

by Thinus Ferreira

Saturday evening's 5th season premiere of MasterChef South Africa on SABC3 ended with the unexpected axing of five contestants who all returned home after just one episode's cooking in the kitchen.

The rugby recruiter and coach Lucas (33) from Worcester, the Johannesburg video producer Andrew (42), the Boksburg content creator Lesego (26), the law firm manager Robyn (28) from Midrand, as well as the environmentalist Ella (39) from Johannesburg were all eliminated after their checked dishes were the lowest-rated out of the 20 contestants.

"It breaks my heart to say this, but your MasterChef SA journey ends here," MasterChef SA judge Katlego Mlambo told the five contestants.

"I'm a very competitive person, so this was pretty serious to me but you've got to be humble in victory and defeat," Lucas said. "It's reignited something in me. It's given me belief and hope. I'll always keep cooking." 

Andrew said that he feels "disappointed". "I didn't expect it to be this short. But we are in the MasterChef kitchen and I didn't perform to the standards".

Lesego said "I'm devastated to leave this early in the competition because I don't think I was able to really show myself. But this is not the end, this is just the start of something different".

Robyn who's lucky charm broke during the cooking challenge said she doesn't believe it had an impact. "I don't feel that my necklace breaking had any effect on the outcome. I choose to carry on in a positive way."

Ella who kept the apron of her dad who had passed away, on underneath her new white MasterChef SA apron, said "I'm quite happy not to have taken my one off. This one belonged to my dad. My dad had the biggest heart. His light shines through and that is the best gift you can give someone - share a bit of light. So I wear it with pride and I know I've done my family proud."

Fifteen contestants from across South Africa are left for the remaining 19 episodes of the Banijay format cooking competition reality show filmed by Homebrew Films at Atlantic Studios and done by Primedia Studios for SABC3.

"knew from the start that this season would only have 15 contestants, but in the pre-auditions, we found 20 really worthy candidates - it was just so difficult to choose only 15," Paul Venter, executive producer, tells TVwithThinus as he explained why the 5th season decided to axe five of them at the end of the first episode.

"We decided to give them all the privilege to come to the kitchen and cook for one episode in the MasterChef SA kitchen - a dream come true for many - but that would then be the last round of auditions, and what great jeopardy to have 5 people going home already in the first episode - drama from scene one, episode one and guaranteed for the whole series!"

According to Paul Venter, the biggest enemy in the MasterChef SA kitchen is and remains time.

"We hear screams and see tears when some candidates fail to make the final adjustments in the final minutes and then we will also have the curious case of the 'stolen pickles' ... which is eventually solved. But will karma send the pickle thief home? Viewers will have to wait and see!"

In Saturday's 5th season debut episode, one contestant told judge Justine Drake that she grew up watching her on the show, while another contestant watched her sister compete on the show in a previous season of the series that has over time become a South African television institution.

Kaye Anne Williams, vice president of content at Primedia Studios, tells TVwithThinus that MasterChef South Africa has become an institution because of two components: food and people.

"For those two reasons, it is not hard to find something that you can relate to and, therefore, incorporate in your own life. Our goal in driving awareness for the new season was to ensure that the average viewer understood that this show was for them and is about them, their food and their stories."

Paul Venter says the latest season of MasterChef SA has "contestants from all four corners of our country, from all walks of life and from as young as 20 and as 'young' as 65".

"Some contestants have roots deeper into the African continent, as far as Congo and as close as Zimbabwe, and some even as far as Taiwan. But one thing that equalises the playing field is the big food dream to win the coveted MasterChef SA title".

Warren Masemola as Giraffe the winner of season 2 of The Masked Singer SA on SABC3.

by Thinus Ferreira

Giraffe won the second season of The Masked Singer South Africa on SABC3 on Saturday night when the Sama and Safta winning actor Warren Masemola took off the costume to reveal that it was home behind the long-necked mask.

Throughout the second season of The Masked Singer SA, produced by Rose and Oaks for Primedia Studios, Giraffe was the favourite frontrunner.

With as much on-stage charisma and acrobatics as the limited lanky costume allowed, Giraffe belted out singalong tune after tune to the delight of both the in-studio audience and viewers watching from home.

In the second season finalé, Giraffe, Blue Crane, Owl and Gold all got a last chance in two sing-offs to perform for the detectives - J’Something, Sithelo Shozi, Somizi Mhlongo and Skhumba.

Up first in Saturday's episode were Blue Crane and Gold, with Gold who was unmasked as the gospel singer and medical practitioner Sbu Noah.

That was followed by a sing-off between Giraffe and Owl, with Owl who lost and was unmasked as actor Aubrey Poo.

In the final round between Giraffe and Blue Crane, Blue Cane had to remove her mask to reveal that it was the beautiful former Miss South Africa and author Shudufhadzo Musida.

Warren Masemola won the season 2 golden trophy with The Masked Singer SA that will see at least a third season as well since it was renewed for a second and third season in 2023. 

MasterChef SA season 5 is set to start 13 July on SABC3 - see the quail eggs inside the pantry.

by Thinus Ferreira

Viewers will be surprised to discover that Pick n Pay can source quail eggs and that gleaming Beko appliances now line the walls, when the 5th season of MasterChef South Africa starts on SABC3 on Saturday 13 July at 19:30 with 20 new South Africans competing in this TV cooking competition.

With the drama in the kitchen moving from the Cape Town harbour and M-Net to a custom-build kitchen and pantry at Atlantic Studios and SABC3, Primedia Studios is bringing the localised version of the Banijay format to a lot more South African viewers' homes on Saturday evenings from next month.

I recently did a day-long set visit while the MasterChef SA contestants behind their cooking stations had to conjure up delicious delights for the three judges - Katlego Mlambo, Zola Nene and Justine Drake.

Across the massive two-studio space that incorporates a lounge area, the cook-off workstations with a clock, as well as a beautiful Pick n Pay pantry furnished in black and brown panelling, the MasterChef SA producers, crew and cameramen captured every angle and every soundbite - hours of footage per day that will be edited to 45 minutes per episode.

From baking and basting to seafood and curries the 20 contestants from across South Africa will once again be given big tasks to perform behind the pots and pans inside the state-of-the-art and pressure-cooker kitchen. The winner gets R1 million.

Besides stressful invention tests, there will again be mystery box challenges, limiting them to a mixed bag of ingredients and viewers will also occasionally see world-renowned local chefs visit the MasterChef SA kitchen.

"The contestants are only as good as their last plate, and anything can happen," says Katlego Mlambo. "It's a constant race against the clock and one flop or sub-standard presentation could cost them their MasterChef apron."

Justine Drake says "The competency of this season's home cooks is much higher than in the previous season. Zola Nene adds: "I was surprised by their clear understanding of advanced cooking techniques and knife skills. These people can cook. The question is, who will continue to improve their know-how and rise to the top?"

Inside the pantry

The Pick n Pay pantry set includes the first-ever half-moon gantry, with the design matching those of current stores and focusing on line rhythm but also allowing curves to soften the space. 

The shelves have everything from fresh produce to grocery basics like eggs, coconut milk, spices, pasta and also hide delightful surprises like quail eggs.

Double-door fridges stock all types of dairy and cheese, charcuterie, red meat and chicken, while a freezer section contains ice cream, frozen berries, and seafood, including prawns and mussels. 

Included here are products from the Pick n Pay Innovations range as well as its healthy food Live Well range. Notable in the pantry is the packaging-free section which carries everything from nuts and goji berries to bulgur wheat to help limit waste as contestants can take the exact quantity they require. 

"Every time I walk into the Pick n Pay pantry, I'm blown away. It's a chef's dream come true," says Katlego Mlambo.

Also notably visible alongside @home, Mervyn Gers bespoke crockery and Wüsthoff knives will be Beko appliances during the 5th season of MasterChef SA - the first time this company is sponsoring a South African TV show.

Former M-Net and Amazon Studios exec Kaye Ann Williams jumps to Primedia Studios as content boss, rejoins Jan du Plessis to oversee SA coprods and series.

by Thinus Ferreira

The former M-Net content executive Kaye Ann Williams - who jumped to Amazon MGM Studios and was part of Amazon's brutal wholesale layoff of its entire South African and African development team - has reunited with her former M-Net boss Jan du Plessis at Primedia Studios.

Kaye Ann Williams has been appointed as vice president for content at Primedia Studios. 

At Primedia Studios the talented and respected Kaye Ann Williams will now develop and oversee its growing slate of South Africa co-productions and format series.

Primedia Studios has a burgeoning slate of co-productions and reality competition format shows like Deal or No Deal SA, Wheel of Fortune SA, MasterChef SA, The Masked Singer SA, SA's Got Talent, Raid the Cage SA and Ready, Steady, Cook SA it is currently producing for the South African public broadcaster's SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 TV channels, with more in the pipeline.

Kaye Ann Williams was the head of M-Net's local productions and independent films and was at M-Net in Randburg for seven years before she joined Amazon MGM Studios in October 2022 when Amazon went on a head-hunting and hiring spree to bulk up its local content development teams in South Africa and Nigeria.

The South African and Africa content team expansion formed part of Amazon's big aspirations and promises to ramp up its own local African Originals slate.

It's a plan that came crashing down after just two years when Amazon Studios in America decided to drastically cut spending which meant the downsizing and evisceration of its entire Africa content rollout and expansion plan and that saw dozens of people who were appointed for the task lose their jobs and producers with existing development contracts getting cancelled.

Now the highly experienced Kaye Ann Williams has reunited with her former M-Net boss Jan du Plessis at Primedia Studios.

With Primedia Studios already described as "the new M-Net", Jan du Plessis and Kaye Ann Williams - who have years of shorthand rapport between them, together with an extensive diary of contacts and deeply forged industry relationships - are setting about building out its slate of shows with both new and well-proven South African production companies and producers.

ALSO READ: Former M-Net exec Kaye Ann Williams now heading up Amazon Prime Video South Africa's scripted series and movies division.

ALSO READ: Amazon slashing content funding for Prime Video Africa, retrenching staff including Prime Video Africa director Gideon Khobane with no new South African series or films to be commissioned.