"This series focuses on leadership skills and we made our selection from those who are aware of their surroundings and issues affecting them and their fellow youth. We believe these young people will make a change for the better," said Ngubane.
The six contestants are Ayanda Bandla, Lesley Mosiamimang, Johan du Pisanie, Sebenzile Nkambule, Vanencia Vollenhoven and Zwelethu Kos.
"The top six were chosen from the finalists at a three-day workshop where we got to assess their personalities. We made our final decision based on the question 'what makes a good leader?' We focused on six pillars of leadership; willingness, vision, attitude, influence, action and accountability," concludes Ngubane.
The winner will receive the opportunity to effect change and gain experience in positions of leadership as an internship in the offices of the chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency and the Presidency.
Presenter combines youth, talent
The presenter of the show, Masechaba Lekalake, was the studio anchor and video journalist for Into Africa, a travel show on SABC Africa that she co-presented with Hlomla Dandala for Urban Brew Studios. The show took her across the continent to Ethiopia, Egypt, Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria. She was also researcher, content-producer and scriptwriter for the show.
She debuted as a supporting actress on the Generations show, before taking a lead role in Backstage in 2003. Since then, she has presented shows including That'I'Zak and Out of Box with Paul Viv, been the sports host on South Africa's wrestling show WWP, interviewed stars on SABC1's music show Reliable Slamdown and been the guest presenter on Live.
In 2006, Lekalake pioneered SABC Africa's entertainment news programme, Afro Showbiz, hosted the 2007 Vukani Fashion Awards, the 2007 African Pride Awards, the SABC Africa On-screen film festival for two consecutive years (2007 and 2008) and was the host at the 2008 Highway Africa Awards ceremony.
