Siyamthanda TV special from SABC Sport about Springbok captain Siya Kolisi to broadcast on SABC2 on 11 December, 'one of the most shocking interviews I've ever done,' says presenter Thomas Mlambo.

by Thinus Ferreira

SABC2 will broadcast Siyamthanda on Saturday 11 December at 18:30, a TV special from SABC Sport about the Springbok captain Siyamthanda "Siya" Kolisi's earlier life and his journey to the top of rugby.

The 48-minute TV special is a co-production between SABC Sport and Red Bull Media House, featuring people who have made a key contribution to his life.

In Siyamthanda, Siya Kolisi sits down with his close circle of friends and family to talk about his journey from the dusty streets of Zwide and Grey Port Elizabeth to leading the Springbok team to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Siyamthanda is anchored by SABC Sport presenter Thomas Mlambo who had spent the day with Siya Kolisi, his close friends and family, including teammate Bongi Mbonambi at 50 on Gugs in Gugulethu.

"It was one of the most open and in some ways 'shocking' interviews I've ever done because of what Siya reveals. I was genuinely shocked at how hard his life has been and what he has overcome; ultimately I was inspired," says Thomas Mlambo in a statement.

The TV special also touches on the more difficult elements of growing up in the township as well as the pressures of success and the responsibility Siya Kolisi assumed when he took on his role as captain of the South African national rugby team.

"I'm not perfect but I can't afford to disappoint society and the young children who look up to me," Siya Kolisi says in the Siyamthanda TV special.

"Representation is everything. I believe in shared leadership; I do not know everything. If I could change anything from when I was a kid, it's the mindset. That's where you either make it or don't make it."

TITILLATING. Lillian Dube asks SABC1 Sport at 10 anchor Thomas Mlambo: 'You don't suck a titty? What do you suck?'

On Wednesday evening the South African public broadcaster dished up some titillating television as viewers' jaws dropped when actress Lillian Dube made an appearance on SABC1's Sport at 10 and asks the sports show anchor Thomas Mlambo if he sucks "titty" or what he's sucking on.

During the interview that turned awkward as part of the South African public broadcaster's Women's Month campaign, Lillian Dube point blank asked Thomas Mlambo: "You don't suck a titty? What do you suck? You've got to suck something. What do you suck?"

The anchor was speechless.

On his social media account Thomas Mlambo afterwards said: "Awkward does even get close to describing the corner I was in. Nowhere to hide...and you just have to respect when a mother figure is speaking".

Lillian Dube who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, said she encourages men "to suck those titties".

She has been outspoken after her cancer diagnosis and treatment, encouraging the sucking on breasts to help detect lumps.

She has also advised women to play with men's testicles to also help with the detection of cancer, saying on Real Talk on SABC3 "women must play with those balls" as the easiest and quickest way of detecting if there's anything wrong with their partners.

In a recent newspaper interview Lillian Dube revealed that she has a wide selection of sex toys and owns 7 vibrators.

Minnie Dlamini dumps the SABC's SABC Sport saying 'I need to grow'; replaced by Vaylen Kirtley as co-presenter on SABC1's SoccerZone.

Minnie Dlamini has dumped the SABC's SABC Sport division and has been replaced by Vaylen Kirtley.

On Thursday last week Minenhle "Minnie" Dlamini resigned from SABC Sport where she presented SoccerZone on SABC1 since May 2013, causing the SABC to rush to find a replacement as co-presenter opposite Thomas Mlambo for Monday night.

SoccerZone's ratings has fallen and a revamp with a new format introduced at the beginning of the year failed to lure back viewers.

Minnie Dlamini will however be seen on SABC television again as one of the presenters of the revived Tropika Island of Treasure Seychelles in March 2017 on SABC3.

"SABC Sport would like to thank her for a meaningful contribution to the division during her tenure and we wish her well in her future endeavours," said the SABC in a statement.

In a statement Minnie Dlamini said "I have resigned from SABC Sport to focus on my other business ventures".

"I have loved my time with the SABC Sport family and will miss them dearly. It pains me to realise that I won't be seeing my Thom Thom (Thomas Mlambo) and Dr Mnandi every Monday as they have become family."

"I need to grow and explore various opportunities in entertainment and business. "I'm super excited about 2017 and working very hard to make it a success."