Tapfuma Makina is the new host of Ultimate Braai Master on e.tv for season 8.

by Thinus Ferreira

The new host of Ultimate Braai Master for the reality braai competition's 8th season is Tapfuma Makina who is replacing show creator Justin Bonello.

Tapfuma Makina joins the Trace Studios produced series in which several teams of two will once again compete against each other - this season across venues in the Western Cape - to see who South Africa's latest braai champions are, in 13 episodes starting on e.tv on Saturday 5 February at 17:00.

Tapfuma Makina takes over as presenter from Justin Bonello for the 8th season, with the series retaining judges Peter Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng from previous seasons.

Tapfuma Makina who has presented various TV series and is also known as a TV sports news anchor on e.tv and a radio host, has a B.Sc degree in biochemistry and microbiology, and says he's excited to be a part of Ultimate Braai Master as the new host.

On taking over from Justin Bonello as Ultimate Braai Master host, Tapfuma Makina says "it's an honour to take up the baton. Justin created one of South Africa's most iconic and longest-running reality TV shows".

"That we're now in season eight of the show proves how phenomenal a concept it is, and how loved he was as a host. It's a privilege to be a part of the house that Bonello built".

"I love food but I am no chef, and have nothing but respect for those with that innate talent - I leave that to the experts Benny and Pete, now in their 5th season together on Ultimate Braai Master. Who better to judge?"

"I'm simply taskmaster, my job is to help the braai master hopefuls, and our audience navigate the mechanics of the show, and steer them through the twists and turns that comprise the journey to finding the next Ultimate Braai Master."

After travelling across South Africa in previous season for challenges, the series switched to using just the Eastern Cape province in the 7th season and now just the Western Cape for the latest upcoming season, marking a slight format change for the show which will likely start to utilise specific provinces for future seasons. 

With Ultimate Braai Master that was picked up by Netflix last season besides its airing on e.tv, Ultimate Braai Master with its new Western Cape season plans to "showcase the wealth of produce celebrated in the region, from free-range dairy and grain-fed cattle, to fresh grown organic vegetables from farm to braai to table".

Three new South African produced Trace Original music shows added to the Trace Urban and Trace Africa channels.

by Thinus Ferreira

Trace has added three new South African produced Trace Original music shows to the Trace Urban (DStv 325) and Trace Africa (DStv 326) TV channels: Future Maskandi, Afro Tech is Life, and The Re-Introduction.

Future Maskadi has musician Zulu Mkhathini as presenter on Mondays at 19:00 from 3 October and will feature artists like Mzukulu, Mnqobi Yazo, Lwah Ndlunkulu Thee Legacy, Big Zulu and others.

As a 13-episode studio-based, variety show with inserts, Future Maskandi will bring viewers the backstories and music of new entrants into the Maskandi Music space. The aim of the show is to celebrate artists who have fused traditional Maskandi music with a fresh contemporary sound and is produced by Trace Studios.

Afro Tech is Life features ambitious South African up-and-coming DJs and a selection of A-list Afro Tech DJs playing music for a group of in-studio partygoers. The aim of the show is to showcase a new generation of DJs and is broadcast on Trace Urban from 1 October on Saturdays at 19:00.

The Re-introduction, starting in November 2022 on Sundays at 18:00 on Trace Urban, is a new 24-minute music documentary series with the aim of retelling the stories of icons like Fela Kuti and Brenda Fassie to a new audience of music lovers.

Each episode will focus on one music legend whose story will be anchored by a present-day music star including Zoe Modiga, J'Something, Langa Mavuso, Rouge, Sarkodie, Moozlie and others.

"With our ongoing commitment to empower, direct and nurture young local artists to create quality local musically content, we are ecstatic about the three new offering on the channel," says Valentine Gaudin-Muteba, Trace Southern Africa managing director.

"These Trace originals aim to propel further growth within the younger audience segment offering not just music but edutainment, fashion and lifestyle."

Ultimate Braai Master back for season 8 and new host on e.tv in 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African competition reality show Ultimate Braai Master will be back for an 8th season in 2023 on e.tv and will be switching to the Western Cape, with creator Justin Bonello stepping away as host but retaining judges Peter Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng.

With a new host still to be announced, season 8 of Ultimate Braai Master will be on e.tv from 5 February 2023 at 17:00, with the show telling TVwithThinus it will be filmed between 26 October and 2 December and in the Western Cape this year for 13 episodes after two seasons shot in the Eastern Cape.

With over 8 million viewers who watched season 7 on e.tv as well as on the eXtra and eReality channels on eMedia's Openview satellite service, the show was also picked up by Netflix for a global audience since February this year.

"Another very exciting chapter in the Ultimate Braai Master journey lies ahead of us," says Sivan Pillay, Trace Studios CEO. 

"Trace Studios looks forward to producing another series and is very excited about the sponsor partnerships that G2Connection has brought to the Ultimate Braai Master brand. In addition, there will be a new host presenting the show this round."

The 8th season of Ultimate Braai Master will feature 10 teams having to braai all kinds of food in various locations in all kinds of manner, and will be filmed in the Western Cape. 

The season plans to "showcase the wealth of produce celebrated in the region, from free range dairy and grain fed cattle, to fresh grown organic vegetables from farm to braai to table".