BBC Studios Africa commissions second season of Rapid Blue's Homegrown Tastes SA with Lorna Maseko for BBC Lifestyle in 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

BBC Studios Africa has commissioned Rapid Blue to film a second season of Homegrown Tastes South Africa with presenter Lorna Maseko, with the next season which will start on BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) in 2023.

Filming on the second season of Homegrown Tastes SA will take place in December 2022 for 7 weeks.

Pierre Cloete, BBC Studios Africa commercial director, says in a statement that "We are thrilled to bring another season of Homegrown Tastes South Africa to BBC Lifestyle audiences and to have the wonderful Lorna Maseko returning to our screens".

"We've seen a  real appetite for local content and this announcement reflects our commitment to bring even more local commissions to the channel. It's very exciting to have season 2 ready for production and to see the show going from strength to strength."

Ziyanda Ngcaba, Rapid Blue managing director, in the statement says "We're thrilled that the first season of Homegrown Tastes South Africa received such a positive response from BBC Lifestyle viewers. Having been awarded a second season, we can't wait to cook up more deliciousness and showcase the wonders of South Africa".

"It's amazing to work with the talented Lorna Maseko again - she really is the heart that brings the series to life."

Lorna Maseko, in the statement says "I am so excited that Homegrown Tastes South Africa is returning to  BBC Lifestyle for a second season. To celebrate South Africa's incredible produce and the people behind the magic, is what makes this show so special".

"The response to season one was incredible and I can't wait for audiences to discover even more local stories, delicious recipes and inspirational chefs. I'm so ready for this journey and I can't wait for BBC Lifestyle's audiences to join me next year."

Ziyanda Ngcaba promoted to CEO of Rapid Blue from April as co-founder and CEO Duncan Irvine steps down after 3 decades.

by Thinus Ferreira

Ziyanda Ngcaba has been promoted as Rapid Blue CEO from 1 April with veteran producer and co-founder of the production company, Duncan Irvine, stepping down as CEO after three decades.

Duncan Irvine will be using his experience and skills in a new venture, "providing services to brands, broadcasters and production companies alike, in the areas of content development, packaging and funding solutions" according to a statement.

Rapid Blue has produced shows for all of South Africa's major broadcasters from the SABC and e.tv to various local M-Net channels and international third-party pay-TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service.

Ziyanda Ngcaba joined Rapid Blue in 2020 as an executive producer and business director and was promoted to managing director at Rapid Blue in April 2021. She joined Rapid Blue after having worked at eMedia Investments and the SABC

During her time with Rapid Blue the production company has produced the 7th season of Come Dine with Me SA for BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174), the upcoming 10-episode original series Homegrown Tastes South Africa also for BBC Lifestyle fronted by Lorna Maseko, and the third season of the South African version of Celebrity Game Night for NBCUniversal's E! (DStv 124).

There's also been a second season of Family Feud South Africa with Steve Harvey as presenter for e.tv, with Rapid Blue that facilitated the Nigerian shoots for Warner Brothers Television's American series Bob Hearts Abishola seen on M-Net's 1Magic (DStv 103) channel.

Duncan Irvine in the statement says "I am thrilled that Ziyanda will be heading up Rapid Blue".

"With her wealth of expertise in the business of television, drive and creativity, I know we will see the company thrive. After almost 30 years leading Rapid Blue, I'm immensely proud of the team that we have built and I have no doubt that the future will be bright".

"I am grateful to be able to continue to offer my support in new ways by developing fresh content solutions through alternative funding models. Ziyanda has stepped into the managing director role seamlessly over the last year, I am confident that our vision will be carried forward under her leadership with the support of the best team in the industry."

Ziyanda Ngcaba says "I am hugely honoured to take the helm and steer this ship".

"I look forward to carrying ahead Duncan and Kee-Leen's values, creative ambition and passion for quality entertainment."

"With the company producing a series of brilliant shows, we are eager to continue to grow Rapid Blue productions and I am confident in the future. We have a strong creative team, with a combined experience of over 100 years in the industry,  who are vital in the future success of the company."

"We will continue to create brilliant projects which I can't wait for audiences in South Africa and around the world to see."

ALSO READ: Rapid Blue appoints Mmabatho Kau in newly-created role to head up its scripted division as production company plans to expand its scripted content slate.

Chef-presenter Lorna Maseko to front new 10-episode Homegrown Tastes South Africa series from Rapid Blue for BBC Lifestyle in 2022.

by Thinus Ferreira

BBC Studios' BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) will broadcast a new lifestyle series, Homegrown Tastes South Africa, in 2022, produced by Rapid Blue with chef Lorna Maseko as the presenter.

In Homegrown Tastes South Africa, Lorna Maseko journeys across South Africa - from Johannesburg to the highest town in South Africa, Dullstroom, the Karoo, the Cape's winelands and its fishing fleets - to meet South African celebrities, South African chefs, producers and restaurant owners.

In Homegrown Tastes South Africa Lorna Maseko explores South Africa's unique homegrown cuisine from urban street food to signature South African dishes, eafood and wines.

In each episode Lorna Maseko prepares her own interpretation for local chefs and celebrities.

Filming has started on Homegrown Tastes South Africa that will continue for 7 weeks and will consist out of 10 episodes.

Ziyanda Ngcaba, Rapid Blue managing director, says "Homegrown Tastes South Africa will provide an inspirational look into South Africa's cuisine in a way that has never been done before".

"From the moment Lorna approached us, and told us about her love for good food and her global experiences with tastes, we were thrilled to turn that into a TV show."

"Together we will celebrate all that is grown in our local soil and the people and communities that so proudly invest their lives creating the world's very best produce."

"With mouthwatering recipes, local celebrities, inspirational stories, beautiful landscapes and the very best host, it's the perfect fit for BBC Lifestyle and we're excited for audiences of all ages to tune in next year."

Lorna Maseko says "Homegrown Tastes South Africa goes beyond the incredible food, it also celebrates the farmers, the soil and where our favourite dishes came from".

"I want South Africans to be proud of who we are and enjoy the stories behind our food. We have some of the most inspiring chefs that are respected globally, and I know this is content South Africans are hungry for. We have started creating magic and I can't wait for BBC Lifestyle's audiences to see the results."

Rapid Blue appoints Mmabatho Kau in newly-created role to head up its scripted division as production company plans to expand its scripted content slate.

by Thinus Ferreira

Rapid Blue has appointed Mmabatho Kau as the head of its new scripted division as the South African production company that has mostly focused on format reality series has ambitions to expand its TV genre offering especially as video streaming companies like Netflix and MultiChoice's Showmax are increasing production budget spend across the African continent.

Mmabatho Kau will now lead Rapid Blue's development in scripted content creation in this newly created role.

Rapid Blue in a statement says that Mmabato Kau will "develop and drive Rapid Blue's ambitions in scripted content, from sourcing new business opportunities in response to the growing demand for high-quality local intellectual property to the delivery of compelling content for local and international platforms and clients".

Rapid Blue is known for working with BBC Studios to produce reality competition format shows in South Africa and lately also Kenya for the BBC's pay-TV channels like Come Dine With Me SA, as well as shows like The Bachelor SA, The Bachelorette SA, Strictly Come Dancing SA and Love Island SA for M-Net (DStv 101), Celebrity Game Night for NBCUniversal's E! (DStv 124) and Family Feud SA for e.tv.

Mmabatho Kau has over 20 years experience as a producer and development executive and produced the 12th season of Soul City for SABC1 and was a script consultant on Netflix South Africa's Happiness is a Four Letter Word sequel film Happiness Ever After.

According to Rapid Blue Mmabatho Kau managed an unnamed entertainment TV channel and also worked at the shutter pay-TV operator Kwese, and mentored in writing labs in Australia, Poland, Uganda and Ethiopia.

"I'm thrilled to join the talented team at Rapid Blue to develop the scripted slate and unlock opportunities to bring compelling stories and unforgettable characters to audiences in South Africa and around the world," says Mmabatho Kau. 

Ziyanda Ngcaba, Rapid Blue managing director, says "Following more than 30 years of producing award-winning unscripted content for African audiences, Mmabatho Kau is an important hire to fulfil our ambition for growth in scripted".

"Rapid Blue has already seen success in scripted production, having produced two seasons of Is’thunzi for Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), with Thuso Mbedu, who received two iEmmy nominations for best actress".

"I am confident that with Mmabatho Kau's varied experiences and ability to craft and produce African stories that resonate globally, she will carve a new path for Rapid Blue."

BREAKING. SABC2's acting programme manager Ziyanda Ngcaba gone; Jacquie Hlongwane takes over.

You're reading it here first. 

I can reveal that SABC2's acting programme manager is out, and a new acting programme manager is in.

Sources alerted me earlier in the week to executive turnover at SABC2, telling me that Ziyanda Ngcaba, the acting programme manager at the channel is no longer there.

SABC2 confirms: Ziyanda Ngcaba who was the acting programme manager at SABC2 is no longer with the channel and programming queries for SABC2 is now being handled by Jacquie Hlongwane.