Last night at The Venue in Melrose Arch, e.tv invited some media and celebrities for a beautiful dinner as they announced some important new happenings on the free channel. The main announcement was, of course, the new judges of their incredibly popular show SA’s Got Talent. Joining host Tatz Nkonzo and returning judge Shado Twala will be non-other than the big dawg himself DJ Fresh and the beautiful Lalla Hirayama.
When talking to the crowd, Shado admitted that this year she is “not looking for another poet, singer or beat boxer.” Those talents, of course, won the competition in the three seasons it has been around (two on e.tv, one on SABC2).
The new season premieres on September 7th at 18h05 which is funnily enough, a day after The X Factor SA premieres on SABC 1. Here is a bit more details on the judges and the host of SAs Got Talent!
DJ Fresh
World renowned house DJ, Thato ‘Fresh” Sikwane is known for producing music that altered the house genre landscape in South Africa, bringing it into the mainstream music scene. After anchoring the YFM breakfast show for three years, Fresh joined 5Fm to present the Fresh Drive, which has since become one of the station’s most popular shows. He has also released an impressive collection of 24 house albums over a career spanning over two decades. He has shared the DJ booth with internationally renowned DJs such as: “Little Louie” Vega, Frankie Knuckles, Armand Van Helden, Paul Van Dyke, Oskido, Fat Boy Slim, Jazzy Jeff, Harley & Muscle, Ready D, and Kenny Gope Gonzales among others.
Lalla Hirayama
Lalla Hirayama is a Japanese-born South African dancer, actress, model and television presenter. The Junior Horse Riding Champ has taught hip hop, tap and modern dancing. She returned to South Africa in 2002 and got involved in Dance training. In 2005 she started performing professionally as a back-up for the late Lebo Mathosa, Slikour, Relo, Skwatta Kamp, and featured in Unathi’s and Loyiso’s music videos. Not a stranger to e.tv, in 2011 she hosted the reality competition Tropika Island of Treasure. In 2013 she also came 2nd on the sixth season of the reality dance competition Strictly Come Dancing. Clearly not a stranger to talent, Lalla makes a perfect addition to the judging line-up.
Shado Twala
Shado has enjoyed 23 years as a radio broadcaster. Through her public profile, she has become a sought-after Programme Director and MC. Shado is a professional Consultant in arts and entertainment, where her skills are utilised in the development and facilitation of art projects, the identification of business opportunities for South African arts internationally and in cultural missions and trade shows in and outside of South Africa. She is dubbed the ‘sweet’ judge, but don’t let that fool you into thinking she does not seek the utmost best of each contestant. With her experience in the entertainment industry, she is well placed as the remaining original judge.
Tats Nkonzo
Comedian and guitarist, Tats Nkonzo has a unique brand of observational and arsenal humour that has helped establish him as a comic force to be reckoned with. With his intellect, Tats brings a special flavour to reality show hosting. He received the BlackBerry Breakthrough Act Award at the 2nd Annual South African Comics Choice Awards 2012.
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