From 3 May at 6:05pm, Saturday TV viewing will never be the same again, with the launch of a spanking new tickling family game show, I Love South Africa.
The hour-long television game show, produced by African Media and Production Network, (AMPN) gives e.tv viewers an opportunity to explore and celebrate everything that makes us uniquely a rainbow nation - from our history; our people and experiences to our distinctive geographical attributes, our little habits and languages and our great achievements in the last 20 years of freedom.
Hosted by the sassy and talented Masechaba Lekalake, along with her two captains, funnymen Mark Banks and Tats Nkozo, the show brings humour, wit and lots of patriotic pleasures.
Each week, six famous compatriots ranging from athletes, politicians, film stars, TV personalities, singers and musicians are invited to the show. They are divided into two teams, under the leadership of captains Mark and Tats.
I Love South Africa is made up of six rounds and a finale. Each round has a theme. Within that theme, the teams as a whole or individual members are asked diverse questions in different formats.
The audience is split up into two teams, "stands", and dressed in the colours of the national flag. Each stand has its own colour. The men and women in these stands are behind their teams - literally and figuratively.
The entertaining activities are accompanied by a live studio band that heightens the atmosphere and lends viewers to an exciting journey.
Remember the South African music from yesteryear? Or that spectacular gold medal at the Olympic Games? Or how about the brilliant goal at the World Cup? Get ready for bright moments, memories to cherish, familiar events, and everything that's truly South African, past or present.
Masechaba is a mother; daughter, granddaughter, sister, auntie, friend and companion.
She was born in Lusaka, Zambia, a product of exile and the offspring of Soweto-born revolutionaries. She began writing at the age of six and her short stories were published in children's magazines. She spent the first five years of her life in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Thereafter she spent a significant amount of time with her grandmother in Dube, Soweto before she she joined her parents in the United States where she spent seven of her most formative years in California.
Masechaba Lekalake is a seasoned media practitioner with a background in news and current affairs. She has contributed significantly to the media industry in the last eight years as a writer, TV producer, news anchor and public speaker. At the age of 23, she was nominated in the 2007 SABC News Awards in the current affairs category.
This talented woman has interviewed some of the most influential newsmakers of our time, including international heads of state, economists and CEOs.
Masechaba is also an experienced producer and anchor, with a natural on-screen gravitas, relevant media experience and most importantly, a passion for people. She is a skilled storyteller, with vast experience in TV broadcasting. Her biggest passions are youth development and women's empowerment.
She is currently the host of Ek se - Let's Talk on eKasi+ channel, on OpenView HD, a presenter at Power FM and the CEO of Masechaba Media.
Mark Banks is one of the most recognised and respected comedians of his time. Since his acclaimed inception to comedy, 25 years ago, Mark has continuously played to packed houses nationwide. Widely recognised for his political satire and commonplace poke at the rich and famous, nothing and no one is sacred to Mark's blatant humour.
He says that the reason behind the silliness is that "it's easier to look at the other side of things that don't have another side, and if they don't have one, invent one." Notoriously un-PC, Mark claims to have started performing at the age of 11 when he was "able to balance an entire Zulu rondavel and its contents on his chin while singing 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing' by the then New Seekers." His constant banter and uncontained one-liners have often lent him undeniable praise as MC for award ceremonies, corporate functions, banquets and conferences whereby he casually digs in to all and sundry with his potent brand of Banks humour.
Mark represented South Africa at the 1996 Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, his first one-man show, "Stars of South Africa", received critical reviews, as well as the utterly memorable "We're Not On Top... We're Inside". Other one-man shows include the brilliantly titled content-based "Ek's 'n Doos from South Africa" (pronounced exodus). Loosely translated, it pokes fun at locals living abroad, and is a raucous laugh a minute, as well as "Laughing all the way to the Banks..." to name but a few! His productions have played to packed houses nationwide and Mark is widely recognised in comedic circles.
Mark has also appeared regularly on TV as presenter or interviewee, as well as having featured in several adverts. Critics have both praised and slated him for his content over the years, but Mark's feeling of indifference to such inanity has merely pushed and influenced his repertoire to convincingly being described as "the Grand Dowager uncle of the South African comedy underground". Mark Banks' glittering career as the only IMAX-size joke maker in the country has served as a beacon for comedy in the 21st century...
He has been described as a breath of fresh air, and one of the best acts to happen to South African comedy. A forced to be reckoned with, Tats Nkonzo is known for firing up his audience with observational humour and his musical weapon - his guitar.
Hailing from Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, Tats made Johannesburg his home when he moved in with his sister in 2003. After studying advertising for three years, he decided to take a stab at comedy and auditioned for the reality TV show, So You Think You're Funny. The talented performer made it to the top eight, and was also a guest performer in the last round of the competition.
Ever since his reality show break, Tats has been busy with performances all over South Africa, including the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, Johannesburg's Market Theatre and Pieter Torien Theatre at Monte Casino.
The young comedian sparked the interest of comedian Nik Rabinowitz who invited Tats to be his opening act for his one-man shows, "You Can't Be Serious" and "Stand and Deliver", which both sold out. Tats also opened for Loyiso Gola's one man show, "Life and Times".
Most recently, he has made appearances on Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola and he is the presenter of SA's Got Talent on e.tv.
After years of steady, but progressive performances on stage, Tats Nkonzo performed his debut, one-man show, "Can't Tats This", in his home town of East London. With a musical gift that complements his comic performance, Tats Nkonzo gives audiences far more than expected.
African Media & Productions Network is a TV production and media company in sub-Saharan Africa, with offices in Johannesburg, Lagos and Amsterdam. AMPN offers a full range of successful international entertainment TV formats, which become the trigger of content platforms that are interactive and 'always on'. AMPN is not reliant on any single format owner or broadcaster. Instead, AMPN is able to offer a portfolio of all the best formats from around the world and develops new TV formats. AMPN focuses on non-scripted/entertainment formats only like reality, talent, game shows and factual entertainment.
| Mark's Team | Tats' Team |
| Boitumelo Thulo | Khanya Mkangisa |
| Mandoza | Bonnie Mbuli |
| Owen Sejake | Joe Mafela |
Follow us on twitter - @etvsa, #ILoveSA and check out ilovesouthafrica.tv (launching on 25 April) for regular updates and information about the show.
