Two of the judges who grilled and guided the passionate home cooks in the previous season of MasterChef South Africa will return for the fresh fifth local rendition of the world’s most successful television culinary competition. However, this time, they will bring their expertise to a much larger audience, as MasterChef South Africa Season 5 will be served up on free-to-air television in its new home on SABC 3.

After lifting the lid on culinary queen Zola Nene reprising her MasterChef judging role, the SABC 3 and the show producers have confirmed now that foodie dynamo Justine Drake will also be on judges’ duty.

Justine’s resumé reads like a winning recipe packed with various top-grade ingredients.

With more than 30 years of experience in the food and media industry, she has been the food editor or columnist of a buffet of print and online publications – from Fair Lady to Men’s Health. At the same time, Justine penned down several cookbooks, starting with The Busy Cook’s Cookbook at the age of 23.

This busy cook has also whipped up a popular YouTube channel, often talks about cuisine trends on the radio airwaves, and has hosted numerous television shows – amongst others, the BBC series Just in Africa, which showcased Mzansi’s rich culinary heritage, and her own creation, Just Cooking, in which she inspired audiences to jazz up everyday go-to meals.

“The role of MasterChef judge fits Justine, an esteemed foodie, like a stylish kitchen glove,” says Andrew Mills, Chief Marketing Officer at Pick n Pay, who is sponsoring MasterChef South Africa again this year. “For many years, she has helped our customers serve up delicious dishes through the Fresh Living publication and, as a judge last year, demonstrated an authentic connection with people from diverse backgrounds and different food cultures. She is also a hard taskmaster who always strives for excellence.”

Justine, for whom “mediocrity” is indeed a gastronomical sin, can’t wait to meet the new crop of passionate and dynamic MasterChef South Africacontestants, who will showcase their originality and flair with different food flavours by using items from the Pick n Pay pantry.

“The aim of the show is to allow home cooks to achieve their MasterChef status. However, it doesn’t arrive on a silver platter. The participants are put to the test in gruelling challenges, and to reach the top of the culinary ladder, they have to be disciplined and willing to learn,” Justine says.

That’s why she encourages all home cooks who don’t just love cooking but who can’t imagine a life without cooking to enter this upcoming season of MasterChef South Africa. “If you have a culinary vision and are ready to work hard to achieve your culinary dream, the world is your oyster with this show.”

Entries are now open and The MasterChef South Africa Season 5 winner will be able to boost their foodie future with a cash prize of R 1 million.

If you want to enter MasterChef South Africa, you’ll find the application form at masterchefsa.tv. The closing date for entries is 15 March 2024 at 23:59.

MasterChef South Africa will be broadcast on SABC 3 from mid-June. The show is produced by the multiple award-winning production company Homebrew Films in collaboration with Primedia Studios, with Pick n Pay as the headline sponsor.

The third MasterChef South Africa judge will be announced in due course.

JOHANNESBURG, 26 February 2024 – SABC 1 ‘s most-watched television drama Uzalo, is set to reach a remarkable 10-year milestone on screen. Scheduled to premiere on Thursday, 29 February 2024, Uzalo has been committed to captivating audiences with its signature blend of gripping stories and societal reflections since its debut. True to form, Season 10 promises to delve deeper into the pulse of society, mirroring the intricate tapestry of everyday life with authenticity and resonance reflected through the lens of self, religion, spirituality, and culture. 

“We are thrilled to be marking a decade of exciting storytelling, compelling characters, and unparalleled entertainment.  Season 10 kicks off dramatically, setting the stage for a season dominated by anguish and revenge sending shockwaves through the Kwamashu community, unearthing long-buried secrets, fracturing alliances, and igniting vendettas. I am excited to commemorate 10-years of Uzalo. This serves as a testament to our commitment to storytelling excellence in South Africa.” – Channel Head: SABC1 – Ofentse Thinane.

A WARM WELCOME TO NEW ADDITIONS 

Uzalo welcomes a dynamic array of new characters, each bringing their intrigue to the vibrant world of KwaMashu. 

Geja, played by Mnqobi Kunene, is the leader of Amabutho eNdlende and a beacon of loyalty and ambition. With an unwavering dedication to uplifting his community and family, Geja emerges as a champion of eNdlende, setting the stage for a riveting clash of ideologies.

Hawu, played by Bandile Maphalala, is a formidable stick-fighting champion known for his courage and strength, always armed and ready for any challenge. Despite his rugged exterior, Hawu is a charismatic ladies’ man and as such this charm inevitably sparks turmoil with Izinsizwa. 

Sgidi, played by Vusi Mdiniso, is the eldest of Izinsizwa, driven by a quest to restore his family’s lost livestock and achieve autonomy. His unwavering focus on money and cattle leads him to quickly embrace the allure of material wealth upon his arrival in KwaMashu.

Phefeni, played by Lungani Mabaso, is a quintessential problem child constantly craving attention and notorious for stirring up trouble. The move to KwaMashu triggers a transformative journey of discovery. 

Nokuthula, played by Faith Mgobhozi, is a virtuous leader of the maidens in eNdlende who strives to instill values of self-respect and love in her community. Turns out she is the apple of not one but two hopeful eyes. 

Linda Sibiya, playing himself, an undisputed legend of radio, who joins K-Mash FM amidst turbulent times, determined to revive the station and reclaim its former glory. As a seasoned broadcaster, he takes the helm of the breakfast show, captivating listeners with his topics and charismatic presence.

Evangelist Sakhile Sibiya, played by Ntando Mncube, a man dedicated to his calling and is led by an unwavering commitment to ministering to people in need of Sakhile’s arrival in KwaMashu coincides with a critical moment, as he becomes the beacon of hope casting out evil and inequities. He wholly embodies the saviour the community has been awaiting.

“The 10th anniversary marks a monumental milestone for us, a chance to celebrate the incredible journey shared with our viewers. Throughout the decade, Uzalo has shattered its viewership records, setting new standards of excellence in Mzansi television. Not only have we entertained audiences far and wide, but we have also been a gateway for new talent both in front and behind the camera. As we welcome new members to our dynamic team, we invite our loyal viewers to join us for another thrilling season. Your unwavering support fuels our passion, and in Season 10, we commit to bring even more drama and excitement,” enthused King David Mukwevho, Uzalo Series Producer.

Johannesburg, 20 February 2024-  On Spring Day, 1 September 2023 SABC TV Licences launched the Win A Holiday Experience competition campaign in an effort to encourage South African customers to pay (or, renew) their TV Licences.

For their efforts, customers would be rewarded with weekly prizes such as Hisense Smart TVs, JBL Bluetooth Speakers, Sony Wireless Headphones and Lenovo laptops. This would be done through a random selection automated by a dedicated microsite that was setup to monitor the competition entries.

In order to qualify for the prizes, the customer needed to pay their TV Licence between 1 September 2023 and 15 December 2023; then go to www.winaholidayexperiencewithsabctvlicences.co.za; register for the competition; receive a confirmation message stating that their entry is valid; then, a random winner would be selected each week from the valid entries.

To sweeten the deal, the overall winner for the competition would get to choose an international experience between the Coachella music festival in California, United States of America. Or, a Bundesliga match in Germany.

Thabo Batshe, a 26-year-old hailing from Kimberley, in the Northern Cape entered the Win A Holiday Experience with SABC TV Licences competition hoping he would get one of the weekly prizes.

“I was on Twitter, and I saw [the competition],” Batshe explained.

“After entering the competition because I had paid my TV Licence about a month ago, I saw a couple of winners on Twitter and Instagram, and I was really rooting for a Play Station because I saw that someone had won a Play Station” he continued.

Like many hopefuls, Thabo Batshe was redirected to the Win A Holiday Experience with SABC TV Licences microsite from social media – where he clicked on one of the links shared from the SABC Corporate pages. After filling out his TV Licence and personal contact details he received a confirmation message on his email account that informed him that his entry was valid and that he had been placed in the pool where a lucky winner would be randomly selected for either a weekly prize or the grand holiday experience.

Clement Maosa from SABC 1’s Skeem Saam broke the news to Thabo Batshe when they secretly met up at the Randburg Sports Complex earlier in the year. “Today is a big day because we are going to meet the winner of the SABC TV Licences’ Win A Holiday Experience competition,” Maosa explained.

“What Thabo does not know is that he is the overall winner of the competition. He thinks he is coming here to pick one of the weekly packages only to realize that he is the grand winner.”

Thabo Batshe, who had entered the competition when he was still at his grandmother’s place in Kimberley, had since moved to Johannesburg for work and is now living in the Randburg area. He was with his girlfriend when Clement Maosa revealed the surprise to him.

“I have been telling him that I actually want to go to Coachella,” the girlfriend explained.

“One thing that I am really looking forward to is experiencing a festival of this nature,” Batshe said in excitement. “And also going overseas and getting to travel.”

Thabo Batshe works in Marketing as a Communication Assistant and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences at the University of the Free State. This was followed by a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Strategic Communication at the University of Johannesburg. It will be his first time traveling outside of South Africa and he is currently applying for his passport which he will need to get a VISA in order to travel to California, in America.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will be taking place between the 19th and 21st of April 2024.

END.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the character of ‘Meikie Maputla’ played by Harriet Manamela will be replaced until the end of season 12. The decision came about after Harriet Manamela needed to be placed on sick leave for an extended period of time. Manamela’s last scene for the season will air on the 5th of April 2024. From the 15th of May 2024 the character of ‘Meikie Maputla’ will be played by Florence Masebe.