MEDIA STATEMENT | SUPERSPORT RESTRICTIONS ON FREE-TO-AIR BROADCASTS OF SPRINGBOK RUGBY INBOUND TOUR

Johannesburg, Friday, 18 June 2021-The SABC regrets to inform the public that the free-to-air broadcast of the upcoming Springbok Rugby inbound tour matches, including next month’s British and Irish Lions Tour, will not be possible due to rights restrictions imposed by Supersport. The public should be aware that Springbok matches are defined as national sporting events by ICASA and that free-to-air broadcasters are mandated by the regulator to make these events available.
 
However, Supersport has imposed restrictions on the SABC that would limit its broadcast of the inbound tours matches to SABC1, 2 and 3 but only via “terrestrial free to air television” platforms.  This means that the broadcast and streaming of the games on SABC channels via other platforms such as Openview and via mobile and OTT, is prohibited by Supersport.
 
The SABC believes that the viability of the new SABC Sports channel is dependent on its simultaneous distribution via several different platforms, including DTT, OpenView and TelkomOne. The Supersport restrictions would make this impossible.
 
The restrictive imposition of unfair sublicensing conditions by the dominant player was one of the key problems raised by the SABC which ICASA has unfortunately failed to deal with in its new Sports Rights regulations.
 
The SABC maintains that Supersport-imposed sublicensing restrictions are prejudicial to the SABC and its commercial partners as they limit the reach of the games to platforms decided upon by Supersport. These restrictions also go against the spirit of the current broadcasting regulations that seek to ensure that all South Africans can access South African national sporting events, regardless of the platform or channel.
 
The SABC has requested that the restrictive clauses be removed but unfortunately this has not been accepted by Supersport. Therefore, it has not been possible to reach an agreement to bring these Springbok matches to SABC screens. It is the SABC’s view that attempting to place sublicensing limitations on which platforms SABC can broadcast or stream content is anti-competitive and directly undermines the public broadcaster’s mandate to provide free access to national sporting events to all South Africans.
 
END
Issued By:                              Group Communications
 
Media Enquiries:                   Ms. Gugu Ntuli (Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)
NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0531

MEDIA STATEMENT | SABC RADIO PORTFOLIO BAGS 89 NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2021 RADIO AWARDS

Johannesburg, Wednesday, 16 June 2021-The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) welcomes a total of 89 nominations for the Radio Awards 2021.The Corporation is pleased that its radio portfolio has once again proved that the public service broadcaster’s radio programming remains excellent and dependable.
 
This year’s number of nominations also bears testimony to the credibility and sustainability of the Corporation’s  radio portfolio. The Group Executive of SABC Radio, Ms Nada Wotshela stated that “We are delighted that our radio brands and personalities continue to be recognized as the best in the industry. This is affirmation for the good work that our management at stations’ level, content producers, presenters and everyone involved with the production value chain, delivers on a daily basis. I would like to congratulate each and every show and employee nominated this year, and encourage everyone to continue doing their best in discharging our public service mandate”.
 
These nominations are proof that SABC radio stations remain true to their public service mandate while delivering entertaining and relevant programming to all South African citizens in their indigenous languages.
 
For the full list of the nominations, kindly see the attached document.
 
END
Issued By:                              Group Communications
 
Media Enquiries:                      Ms. Gugu Ntuli (Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)
NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0531

MEDIA STATEMENT | SABC ALERTS THE PUBLIC ON SCROLLER MESSAGE AS THE SWITCH-OFF OF ANALOGUE TV TRANSMITTERS CONTINUES

Johannesburg – Monday, 14 June 2021 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) would like to alert the public of a scrolling message appearing on all SABC television channels (SABC 1, 2 and S3), broadcast through analogue TV transmitters.
 
The primary purpose of this message is to alert the public of the impending analogue switch off and the need to change to alternative digital technologies for television viewing. This is in keeping with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), wherein he pronounced that all analogue transmissions will be switched off by April 2022.
 
This message will only appear on analogue television platforms and not on our digital platforms (i.e. DTT, DTH, DSTV, OpenView and OTT platforms).
 
The scrolling message reads as follows:
“This analogue broadcast service will be switched off permanently.  To continue receiving this and other high-quality broadcast services, visit your nearest post office to enquire and to register for a government-subsidized digital decoder.  WhatsApp 060 062 5458 or call 0860 736 832 for more information”.
 
The message will run for one week a month until the end of March 2022. The SABC will endeavour to keep the public informed as and when new developments occur.
 
END
Issued By:                              Group Communications
Media Enquiries:                      Ms. Gugu Ntuli (Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)
NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0531

MEDIA STATEMENT | THE SABC MAKES PRESENTATION ON THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON AUDIO AND AUDIOVISUAL CONTENT SERVICES

Johannesburg – Wednesday, 9 June 2021 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has commended Government for embarking on the most fundamental review of South Africa’s broadcasting policy framework in over two decades. At public hearings today on the draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Content Services, the SABC made a comprehensive presentation to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT).
 
Led by Group CEO Madoda Mxakwe, the SABC presented evidence that the current legislative and regulatory framework is not only outdated but has failed to meet the statutory requirement for “protecting the integrity and viability of public broadcasting services”. The SABC therefore welcomed the new licensing framework which is founded on technology neutrality, regulatory parity and fair competition.
 
GCEO Madoda Mxakwe said that the “public broadcaster’s submission to Government is based on the core principle that the sustainability of the public broadcaster – through a fair regulatory framework and financing of public mandate programming – is vital to our constitutional democracy”.
 
The SABC made key proposals on funding the public mandate and provided the DCDT with a detailed definition on public mandate programming. The sustainability of the public broadcaster is recognised in the White Paper which includes plans to strengthen existing governance structures in an SABC Act. This amended Act would be based on principles established in recent case law and 2018 amendments to the SABC’s Memorandum of Incorporation which further provided for the Board’s independence.
 
In summary, the SABC took the opportunity to present the following key submissions to the DCDT:

  • Comprehensive legislative and regulatory changes are needed for free-to-air broadcasters to be able to fairly compete with other audio and audiovisual content service providers.
  • The SABC reiterated its position that the current TV licence fee system should be scrapped and replaced with a device-independent, technology-neutral household levy for public broadcasting which would levy all households, with exemption for the indigent and discounts for pensioners.
  • Government should therefore retain SABC’s current statutory right to be supported by a direct levy that finances public interest content. While financial support for the public broadcaster is foundational to democracy, the SABC agrees that the design and collection of the levy must be amended and significantly improved.
  • The household levy proposal is based on the reality that every single South African household has the realistic ability to access public broadcasting content freely and universally, whether via:

o   analogue free-to-air TV and radio;
o   DTT;
o   Satellite;
o   Websites, social media and streaming services through mobile apps.

  • As a pro-competitive measure, the dominant pay-TV operator (and any future dominant On Demand Content services) should be required to collect the public broadcasting household levy from its subscribers (unless they have already paid).
  • After more than 30 years of no pay-TV competition, Multichoice has now over 8 million TV household subscribers out of a total of 14 million TV households. The current television market follows decades of prejudicial legislation and regulation including:

o   the Must Carry regulations which have obliged the SABC to provide its three free-to-air channels to subscription broadcasters for free (since 2008);
o   Sports Broadcasting Regulations which failed to protect the public broadcaster from anti-competitive bundling of rights and unfair sublicensing criteria (since 2004);
o   Failure to implement tariff regulation of Sentech in terms of section 62(3) of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) which has led to crippling signal distribution costs  for the SABC; and
o   Failure by the regulator to implement any effective limitations on advertising on subscription broadcasters as intended by ECA in 2005.

  • The part-collection of the SABC’s household levy by Multichoice is feasible via the company’s increasingly automated billing system. It is also a reasonable policy intervention to partially deal with the financing of public broadcasting. The SABC will be responsible for collecting the public broadcasting levy from the balance of non-subscriber, non-indigent households and utilising the SABC’s digital broadcasting, online channels and OTT streaming platform. The SABC’s proposed move away from the TV retailer collection model to a public broadcasting household levy is conditional on Multichoice being required by law to collect this levy from its subscribers.
  • In addition to the public household levy, which may take time to implement, the SABC has proposed that relevant governmental departments should allocate and ring-fence a line-item in their budgets for public service content. This funding should be provided for programming relevant to the national development mandate of a particular department, without compromising SABC’s editorial independence. These departments would include Departments of Health; Basic Education; Higher Education and Training; Sports, Arts and Culture, GCIS and the DCDT.
  • The SABC supports the White Paper proposal to scrap the Must Carry law which requires the public broadcaster to offer SABC 1, SABC 2 and SABC 3 for free to subscription broadcasters who “must carry” these channels.
  • The three SABC ‘Must Carry channels’ are now accessible on several free, non-subscription platforms simultaneously. These platforms include satellite via OpenView and Sentech’s DTH box, via DTT and via streaming on the TelkomOne mobile app. This is only the beginning of the SABC’s streaming strategy with a fully-fledged SABC streaming platform to be launched within the next year. SABC therefore submitted that members of the public can now freely access all SABC television programmes and channels outside of the subscription universe. This is a very different situation to 2008 when the regulations were first prescribed.
  • The SABC has submitted that “subscriber convenience” is a completely different concept to “universal access” to SABC channels. While DStv  subscribers may be inconvenienced if the SABC withdrew the three channels after failing to agree commercial terms with Multichoice, they still have a very real opportunity of accessing three SABC channels elsewhere without having to pay a subscription.
  • Scrapping Must Carry will give the SABC the opportunity to continue achieving the public interest goals of universal service and access whilst at the same time commercially exploiting its content through carriage agreements.
  • The SABC has proposed to ICASA that new draft Must Carry regulations, which now provide for commercial negotiations, should be treated as an interim measure until Must Carry is repealed in its entirety. The amended Must Carry regulations should include a sunset clause that that will kick in when the enabling law is finally repealed.
  • The SABC reiterated that it is opposed to the creation of a protected monopoly for Sentech as it conflicts with the definition and role of the common carrier set out in the ECA. The SABC must retain the freedom to choose the best platforms for the public broadcaster, noting that the SABC Board and management are required to act in the best interests of the SABC.

In conclusion, SABC GCEO Madoda Mxakwe said that “the SABC has demonstrated emphatically that there is a critical need for a sustainable public broadcasting service which supports our citizens and constitutional democracy. Public audio and audiovisual content services still have a huge and important role to play in society. It is therefore vital that the new government policy reimagines, protects and supports the role of the SABC and all its services.”
 
END
Issued By:                              Group Communications
Media Enquiries:                      Ms. Gugu Ntuli (Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)
NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0531

MEDIA STATEMENT | SABC NEWS LAUNCHES A BRAND-NEW PUBLIC ACCOUNTABLITY PROGRAMME, THE WATCHDOG

Johannesburg, Monday 07 June 2021 –SABC News & Current Affairs today launches a brand-new public service journalism programme, The Watchdog. The show is aptly named and centred on the public news service’s commitment to its primary stakeholder, the citizen.
 
The SABC’s Editor-in- Chief, Phathiswa Magopeni, says “the programme is in line with the News division’s public interest obligation, and is aimed at holding the feet of those in power to the fire, and getting them to account to the citizens for their responsibilities, their performance and conduct”.
 
The Watchdog also marks the return of veteran journalist, Vuyo Mvoko, who will be anchoring the show on the SABC News Channel. As a seasoned broadcaster, Mvoko is appropriately experienced and equipped to deliver to the demands of the programme. He says he is delighted to be back, “I couldn’t have asked for a better brief than what this assignment is about. Our country is going through hard times with among others, record-high unemployment, corruption, and service delivery problems. South Africans are asking frank questions that require equally honest interventions”.
 
In line with SABC News’ editorial ethos of Independence and Impartiality, this is a further commitment to the public’s right to know. The Watchdog promises adherence to Kovach & Rosenstiel’s Elements of Journalism, who maintain that “Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth, its first loyalty is to the citizens, and must serve as a monitor of power”.
 
Magopeni adds, “There is a lot that our country is grappling with, including crippling poverty, a stagnant economy and generalised institutional decay. Justifiably so, citizens are demanding productive answers from those responsible for managing public affairs, and The Watchdog seeks to do exactly that”.
 
The Watchdog’s approach is premised on the principles of dialogue, democracy, and accountability. The programme will broadcast live on weekdays for an hour at 20h00 until 21h00, on the SABC News Channel.
 
 
END
 
Issued By:                         Group Communications
Media Enquiries:               Ms. Gugu Ntuli (GE: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)
NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0513

MEDIA RELEASE | MEET THE COOLEST OG’S OF OUR NEW REALITY SHOW

MEDIA RELEASE
MEET THE COOLEST OG’S OF OUR NEW REALITY SHOW
SABC2 has partnered with Rebelintown Production in a new, first of its kind, reality series, The Coolest OG’s, which debuts on Sunday the 6th June 2021 at 18:30, giving 12 senior citizens a chance to compete for a R100 000 cash prize and the title of The Coolest OG.
 
An OG is someone who is incredibly exceptional, authentic and excellent in a classic way. Someone who is an expert in many facets of life and someone who has been around for a long time.
The channel is pleased to introduce the 12 contestants who will be battling it out, week in and week out, challenging each other for the prestigious title of The Coolest OG and a R100 000 cash prize.
 Meet The Coolest OGs
Jabulani Zwane (73)
Born in Moroka, Soweto. Currently residing in Spruitview. I am retired. I was a Store Manager of a lighting company. I love making movies and commercials. I love a well-cooked oxtail with dumpling. I took part in the “Coolest OG ‘s” to have fun while competing to win a R100 000 prize.
 
Fun Fact – The tongue is a strongest muscle in a human body.
Reuben Huma (63)
Born in Manhaarand near Magaliesburg and currently residing in Brackenhurst, Alberton. Before retiring I worked as a voice and printing environment specialist at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Activities that I do for fun include playing golf, being a jazz presenter / DJ, House chef, Gardening and Hiking. My favorite food is Beef Stew served with Ting (sougharm porridge).  I took part in the coldest OG to encourage the young people that there is life after retirement and also for the fun of it.
 
Fun Fact: I am Reuben Huma the jazzy DJ.
 
Joy Brady (68)
Born in Johannesburg and currently lives in Eldorado Park, I work as a part-time clerk, and I previously worked as an administration manager. Things that I like to do for fun are, dancing, listening to music, partying, cooking, baking, playing my piano and playing computer games. My Favorite food is any kind of fish and a fruit salad.
My reasons for taking part in the COGs are The Challenges. I always love a challenge and when watching tv shows where they are doing challenges. I always wished it was me. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it.
I was hoping to meet other folk but due to Covid we could not. A pity. Super tv crew Everyone was amazing.
Fun Fact: As nad as a hatter. Always trying to live up to my name! ???
 
Dave Ridley (60)
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe and currently lives in Meyerton in the Midvaal. I am an actor and IT consultant and things that I like to do for fun are to ride motorcycles and Vegetable farming.  My favourite is chicken in any format
I took part in The Coolest OG’s to enjoy the participation and have fun with the film crew at my residence.
 
Fun Fact: Introduce yourself in 3 short sentences: I believe I am a down to earth fair person with no ego. I enjoy having the company of animals around me, miniature horses, dogs and a teddy bear cat, they don’t judge people and respond well to affection as does my wife.
 
Gina McAuliffe (67)
Born in Liverpool in the United Kingdom and I currently reside in Brooklyn, Pretoria. Before I retired, I worked for the Irish government. Things I do for fun are sewing, art, mixed martial Arts fighting analysis. My favourite food is beef and salad.
 
Fun Fact: I love to travel by myself. I am an eccentric creative. I love my unique home and my animals. I want people to be kind to each other.
 
Rani Govender (67)
Born in Grey town, Durban and currently reside in Sandton, I am a full-time granny. Before retiring I was a hairdresser. Things I do for fun is taking care of my grandson, cooking and cleaning. My favourite food is Mutton biryani. I took part in the Coolest OG’s as it sounded like an exciting opportunity, and I want my grandson to look back at this and be proud of his cool granny.
 
Fun Fact: I was a drum majorette in school. I am very active, young at heart and always up for a challenge. I consider myself a “jack of all trades” and I am never too old to learn something new. Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.
 
 
Nalphy Moratuoa Lesoma (60)
I live in Midrand, Gauteng, and I am a Real Estate Sales Agent. Before retiring I was a Business Development Director, Bull Brand Foods.  Activities I do for fun are workout, spending time with family, watching comedy and football, hiking, and reading.  My favourite food is Fish.  My reason for taking part in the Coolest OG’s is to get out of my comfort zone.
 
Fun fact: I can hold plank for 10 minutes and have a video to prove it. I am super cool, fun and young at heart?.
 
Vanessa Cooke (73)
Born in Hillbrow, and I currently reside in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, I am a performer, and the things that I like to do for fun are walk my dogs, watch TV and sleep. My favourite food is peking duck. I entered The Coolest OGs for fun.
 
Fun Fact: I drive a 1989 Toyota corolla. I love old cars. My name means butterfly, I love to dance to my own tune. I want world peace, in other words I’m a dreamer.
 
Thandi Mtimkulu (62)
Born in Orlando West in Soweto, I am a pensioner.  The things that I do for fun are going out, cooking and currently learning to be a DJ. My favourite food is brown rice, green salad, and salmon fish. I took part in The Coolest OGs because I am a fun lover, young at heart, and self-love.
 
Fun Facts: jokes, laughing, acting and entertaining people. I love being beautiful, I am self-caring, I’m very confident. I like giving, I am an adviser, I love sharing. I go to church, I love God, am a God-fearing God.
 
Chinsamy Marie Thanaseelan (68)
Born in Marabastad, Tshwane and I am a pensioner. Before retiring I worked as a salesperson at a hardware Timber and Boards. Things that I like to do for fun: are hiking, soccer, dancing and gardening. My favourite food is mutton curry, fish, lungs, pork, and giblets. I took part in the coolest OG’’s to learn more about life.
 
Zwelakhe Julius Mtsaka (76)
Born in East London, and I reside in Sophiatown and worked as the University Lecturer in English Literature; Business Communication; Drama/Theatre. I took part in The Coolest OG’s to show viewers that even at my age I have willpower and in control of my body and also to share with the youths that success starts with you before you are helped by the government or any other agents. Things that I do for fun are jogging, reading and watching wrestling. My favourite food is mutton chops and vegetables.
 
Fun fact: South African black youths: Is it not astounding that there’s a new wave of our enlightened youths answering the ancestral call to join the ranks of Sangomas.
 
Geoffrey Press (66)
Born in Sophiatown I am a pensioner, before retiring I worked as a boilermaker. I like to do welding for fun and my favourite food is Curry.  My reason for taking part in The Coolest OG’’s is my Love to do movies.
 
For more information, interview opportunities and publicity images please contact the SABC2 PR office or Tutone Communications.
 
More reality for you, every Sunday at 18:30 only on SABC2.
 
For media enquiries:
 
Caroline Phalakatshela
Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment
072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za
 
Melanie Ramjee
Managing Director – Tutone Communications
+2784 682 3457 / +2782 682 3457
melanie@tutonecommunications.com

CANCELLATION OF RFQ NO: RFQ/ENG/2021/41- APPOINTMENT OF A PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR (ARCHITECT) FOR LESEDI FM LIVE AND BACKUP STUDIO UPGRADE

MEDIA STATEMENT | THE SABC CONGRATULATES ALL ITS WINNERS AT THIS YEAR’S SAFTA AWARDS

 
Johannesburg, 24 May 2021 – The South African Broadcasting Corporation would like to congratulate its television platform winners of this year’s South African Film and Television Awards that were broadcast simultaneously on S3 and Mzansi Magic on Saturday the 22nd of May 2021.
We congratulate Entle Bizana, who presents a youth programme, Hectic on 3, weekdays at 4pm on S3, for winning the TV Presenter of the Year Award for two years in the row, as voted by the public.
Mothusi Magano scored the award for Best Supporting Actor- TV Soap, for his sterling performance as Tumishang Maisela on Skeem Saam on SABC1. Commissioned for SABC2 for the first-time last year, The Riviera received 7 nominations and proudly walked away with the award for Best Achievement in Directing – TV Comedy and Best TV Comedy. Congratulations to The Community Media Trust.
The Best Lifestyle Programme category saw SABC1’ Come Again win the award, congratulations to Tshedza Media and a special acknowledgement to the late producer, Takalani Mulaudzi, who sadly passed away last month.
SABC2’s children’s programme Takalani Sesame won The Best Children’s Programme, and Pale Ya Koša won The Best Docu-reality Show. Well done to Ochre Media for producing the best quality children’s programme and Full Circle Production for winning the best docu-reality show.
Also produced by Ochre Media, SABC3’s Made in Africa won The Best Educational Programme Award.
Congratulations to all the deserving winners of this year’s awards and thank you to the public for voting in the Television Presenter of the Year award which saw Hectic on 3’s Entle Bizana retain the crown.
 
For media enquiries
Contact: –
Caroline Phalakatshela
Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment
072 382 2032
 
 
 

MEDIA STATEMENT | SABC NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS DIVISION LAUNCHES #COVERUP SAFETY CAMPAIGN

Johannesburg, Monday 24 May 2021 –The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) News & Current Affairs division launches the #COVERUP campaign today. This campaign comes amid the rise in COVID-19 infections and increasing fears of the third wave of the pandemic. It also coincides with the country’s second phase of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout programme.
 
The campaign’s primary objective is to create awareness and encourage citizens to continue adhering to non-pharmaceutical preventive measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The SABC’s Editor-in-Chief, Phathiswa Magopeni, says “the recent increase in coronavirus infections is a concern not only to the citizens, but to all journalists in the country who have to face the invisible danger and continue to cover stories of various communities, putting their own lives at risk while delivering an essential service to the public.  The concerns about the third wave are real, and as SABC News we deem it necessary to play our role in line with our mandate, by providing public education and the right information to promote responsible behaviour to contain the spread of COVID-19”.
 
In the next three weeks, SABC News will intensify its efforts through this campaign to promote the wearing of masks, hand sanitising and maintenance of good hygiene in all essential spaces. The  #COVERUP campaign will be carried on SABC News and Current Affairs programming on radio, television and digital platforms. It will run in all 13 of SABC News’ broadcast languages.
 
During the campaign, citizens will be invited to participate by sharing their own stories about what they are doing to stay safe. The SABC’s newsroom staff across the country will also share their own experiences and awareness messages. The #COVERUP campaign’s message is simple – Wear a mask. Sanitise. Practice physical distancing. Ensure proper ventilation in enclosed spaces. Observing lockdown regulations.
 
Below are some of the anchor messages that will be featured during the campaign:
 
#COVERUP! STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
#COVERUP! STOP THE 3RD WAVE
#COVERUP! STAY SAFE
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOURSELF
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOUR COLLEAGUE
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOUR NEIGHBOUR
#COVERUP! PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY
 
 
END
 
Issued By:                         Group Communications
Media Enquiries:               Ms. Gugu Ntuli (GE: Corporate Affairs and Marketing)
NtuliGM@sabc.co.za|T. 011 714 3311|C. 071 877 0513

MEDIA RELEASE | SABC2 IS IN SEARCH OF THE COOLEST OG IN THE LAND

 
21 MAY 2021
 
SABC2 is pleased to partner with Rebelintown Productions, in a new, first of its kind, reality series, The Coolest OG’s, which will give 12 senior citizens a chance to compete for a R100 000 cash prize and the title of The Coolest OG.
 
The Coolest OG’s starts on Sunday 6th June 2021 at 18:30. An OG is someone who is incredibly exceptional, authentic and excellent in a classic way. Someone who is an expert in many facets of life and someone who has been around for a long time.
Featuring contestants from all walks of life, the series was shot across the country over 50 days and 50 nights, during the height of the global pandemic as the show captured the lives of 12 senior citizen from the ages of 60 to 80, confined in the safety of their own homes and exposed to fun and unusual challenges, ultimately on a quest to find THE COOLEST OG of them all.
In true reality format, the episodes are not scripted and the opinions expressed are not edited.                                The OG’s are authentic. They are real. It is their lives. They are simply the coolest OG’s.
The Coolest OG’s is a uniquely produced reality voice over driven series, whereby the contestants will be judged by a panel of 4, 20-year-old experts, comprising of Zipho Sithebe, a fashion expert and a student pilot, Sbu Makamedi a performance expert who is a SAFTA Golden Horn winner who also won best actor at the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy,  Adon Domeyer a passionate international music producer and engineer working with artists across the globe and Allison Greenlees a food expert who has been running a successful catering business since the age of 16.
“Our elders have so much to teach the youth and this show gives 12 of them a chance to share their story with the world. The series in not only informative and insightful but great fun for the viewers. Shot during the middle of the global pandemic, these OG’s got to escape the harsh reality for a few weeks while shooting the season” says show director Bheki Ncube. “South Africa is going to fall in love with these very special OG’s and what they have to offer’.
 
In every episode one contestant is eliminated based on their performance and swag and the judges all have to agree on who will leave the show.
Our contestants will go through various challenges ranging from modelling, song writing, music videos, cooking, gaming, art, acting and other cool challenges, in each episode. Each contestant will be sent a package containing a phone on which they will receive instructions for their weekly challenges.  Each of their lounges are transformed into mini studios so they can compete from the comfort and safety of their own homes, sometimes with the help of a family member or an influencer. They have never met each other and have no idea how each other have performed in the various challenges.
 
 
For more information, interview opportunities and publicity images please contact the SABC2 PR office or Tutone Communications.
 
More reality for you, every Sunday at 18:30 only on SABC2.
 
 
For media enquiries:
 
Caroline Phalakatshela
Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment
072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za
 
Melanie Ramjee
Managing Director – Tutone Communications
+2784 682 3457 / +2782 682 3457
melanie@tutonecommunications.com