SABC1 has gone through a lengthy auditioning process, searching for individuals that represented the channel from a language point of view, as well extended the channel’s elements through lifestyle, social responsiveness and community engagements. The following presenters have been added to SABC1’s cast: Lalla “Miss LA” Hirayama (English); Zongie “Zongolong” Mtshontshi (IsiXhosa); Nhlanhla “Cutee” Ngwenya (IsiSwati); and Steve “Stevovo” Smith (English). Here are the new ambassadors of SABC1. *** Lalla Hirayama Lalla was born in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa-Ken, Japan. She moved to Australia and then to South Africa at an early age. She started her primary schooling at Fairways Primary. She started horse riding in 1977 and joined the athletics team (A-Team) and became Junior Horse Riding Champ 1997. In 2001 she taught hip hop, tap and modern dancing in Kagoshima, Japan. In 2002, back in South Africa, she registered for high school education at The British International College where she was also involved with dance training. In 2005 she started performing professionally, dancing at a number of corporate functions under the Vigor8 Company. In 2006, she formed the ACC (Clinch City Entertainment), a hip hop marketing & events company. She became the official dancer for a number of well known local artists including the late Lebo Mathosa, Slikour’s, Relo, and performed with Swatta Kamp. she also featured in Unathi’s and Loyiso’s music videos. In 2007, she became an SABC dancer at the Rand Show, Royal Show and the Grahamstown Festival. Mini Profile Age: 19 Birthday: 10 Feb Any nicknames: Miss LA A bit of background on your TV career: Presented links on Craz-E, hosted a hip hop show called SHIZ NIZ. Pet Hate: 2 cars driving in separate lanes at the same pace Favourite food: Chocolate… not really food, huh?! Favourite form of relaxation: Getting a massage and watching TV! Favourite Tourism destination: Cape Town and Bali Favourite hangout: Anywhere with Good company! Favourite Movie: So many… let me see… Green Mile, Memoirs of a Geisha Favourite TV programme: Zola 7, Shiz Niz, Mzansi Rides, Two & A Half Men, Live, South Beach, Whoopi Favourite actress - Local: Kim Engelbrecht and Brenda from Home Affairs Favourite actor - International: Sir Anthony Hopkins Favourite music: Hip-Hop and R&B Favourite person: My Mama, my Dad and my Man… and all my girlfriends Best advice you received: Always be the first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of another Worst advice you received: Stay away from the TV Your source of inspiration: My Mother, My Past, and My Vision. How do you keep in shape? I am a dancer and I love the Gym. Favourite drink: Chailatte How did you get into presenting? By accent The best thing about being a presenter: Being in studio and in front of the camera. Favourite item of clothing: My Track Pants Three words to describe yourself: Multiple personality sufferer What qualities do you admire most in a person? Honesty, reliability, and compassion You'd never forgive a friend who... liked to watch Backstage!! The person you SMS the most is... My Man, my Mom and my best girlfriend What's the most extravagant thing that you've bought? : Er… I’m not extravagant! On what do you enjoy spending your money? Stuff I really need and on buying presents for those close to me. Do you cook well? … Oh Damn… now everyone will know I’m a bad cook! What was the hardest lesson you've learnt? The responsibility of being a young woman living by herself! Do you speak to God often? Yes Your hobbies: Reading, riding horses, playing piano and guitar and being in the company of good friends. Most memorable experience: Going to London with the late Lebo Mathosa and being harassed by the Papparazzi. Most embarrassing experience: None yet! Message to the youth of South Africa: “Life is short! Seize every opportunity you get!” Your dream future for South Africa: General acceptance and better living standard Your personal dream for your own future: To find true happiness and balance in life. *** Zongie Mtshontshi Zongie is 26 years-old and comes from Umtata in the Eastern Cape. She comes from a family of two: “I’m the only girl and my younger brother is 18 years old”. She matriculated at Excelsior Comprehensive High in the Eastern Cape in 1998. She then moved to Durban and enrolled at ML Sultan in Quantity Surveying. After 3 years she moved to Jozi and enrolled at the AAA School of Advertising for an IMC (Integrated Marketing Communications). She started modelling for a while and did a lot of campaigns like Nivea, Gallia, Always Ultra, Castle Lite, McDonald and many more TV ads. She did a lot of magazine work and also worked with Mr Price and Edgars a lot. She likes interacting with people and she is a very outspoken person who feels she is perfect for where she is now! Mini Profile Age: 26 Birthday: 30 March 1981 Any nicknames: Zongolong A bit of background on your TV career: TV commercials, reality TV show Pet Hate: People that drive and talk on their cell phones Favourite food: Tripe (ulusu) Favourite form of relaxation: Hanging out with people I like Favourite Tourism destination: Mozambique Favourite hangout: Melville Favourite Movie: The Terminal Favourite TV programme: City Ses’la, Live, Home Affairs Favourite actress - Local: Brenda (Home Affairs) and Keketso (Isidingo) Favourite actor - International: Anthony Hopkins Favourite music: Reggae, hip hop and kwaito Favourite person: My Grandma Best advice you received: “Trust your instincts all the time” Worst advice you received: To go for a boob job Your source of inspiration: Life and everything that surrounds us How do you keep in shape? By eating small meals often Favourite drink: Stoney and Pinakalado How did you get into presenting? I had to cast – I heard about it from the Agency. The best thing about being a presenter: Travelling and meeting people Favourite item of clothing: Jeans Three words to describe yourself: Spontaneous, honest, hard worker What qualities do you admire most in a person? Integrity and honesty You'd never forgive a friend who... is jealous of me. The person you SMS the most is... I hate SMS’s The one thing that your life would be meaningless without: My family What's the most extravagant thing that you've bought? A bag that costs R4000 On what do you enjoy spending your money? Clothes Do you cook well? Yes Who had the most influence on you as a child? My Grandma What was the hardest lesson you've learnt? Patience (that good things happen to those who wait) Do you speak to God often? Yes Your hobbies: Going out, reading, and shopping Most memorable experience: A trip with friends to the States and Jamaica. Most embarrassing experience: I was driving along the highway with my friend and could not control nature’s urgent call to relieve my bladder. Message to the youth of South Africa: “Stay away from drugs and don’t do crime!” Your dream future for South Africa: That we may all be equal and every one successful in their own right. Your personal dream for your own future: To be a good role model in society. To be successful personally in order to assist my family and those around me to become a force to reckon with! *** Nhlanhla Ngwenya 19 year-old Nhlanhla is originally from a place in Nelspruit called Daantjie. She is the last born in a big and happy family comprised of both her parents, 2 brothers and a sister. She matriculated in 2005 at Mayibuye Secondary School. Nhlanhla is an active young lady who is interested and has been involved in drama, poetry, debates, cultural dance, modelling and singing. She is also a member of a well-known Mpumalanga group called NST Bayeza Africa Drama. She has a number of beauty pageants under her belt including Miss Mfelandawonye in 2004 organised by Ligwalagwala FM. She featured in radio dramas on Ligwalagwala FM. She has earned herself a couple of certificates in drama and music. Mini Profile Age: 19 Birthday: 26 August 1988 Any nicknames: Cutee Pet Hate: Liars Favourite food: Pasta Favourite form of relaxation: Reading books in a comfort zone Favourite Tourism destination: Germany Favourite hangout: In the garden Favourite Movie: Pursuit of Happiness Favourite TV programme: Home Affairs Favourite actress - Local: Brenda Ngxoli Favourite actor - International: Will Smith Favourite music: African music & afro pop Favourite person: Myself Best advice you received: “Aim for the stars so that if you fall you will fall on the moon” Worst advice you received: “If you think you cannot do it, don’t do it” Your source of inspiration: Poetry and inspirational books How do you keep in shape? I don’t need to do anything Favourite drink: Fruit Cocktail, Passion and Lemonade, and Water How did you get into presenting? I’ve always wanted to become one since an early age. The best thing about being a presenter: Rediscovering the creative within you Favourite item of clothing: Jeans and Sneakers Three words to describe yourself: Go-getter, ambitious, vibrant What qualities do you admire most in a person? Sense of humour and Ubuntu You'd never forgive a friend who... I always forgive! The person you SMS the most is... my best friend The one thing that your life would be meaningless without: The achievement of my personal dreams What's the most extravagant thing that you've bought? A pair of African earrings! On what do you enjoy spending your money? Clothing and saving Do you cook well? No Who had the most influence on you as a child? My Drama Director Do you speak to God often? Yes Your hobbies: Watching TV, Singing, Reading and Modelling Most memorable experience: A visit to Maputo Most embarrassing experience: My stomach grumbling during an interview Message to the youth of South Africa: Unleash the power within you and live your life! Your dream future for South Africa: A South Africa growing in unity and tranquillity Your personal dream for your own future: To live my dreams and be the best woman I can be. *** Steve Smith He was born in Durban in KZN 24 years ago. He is a professional dancer and holds the Multiple SA Aerobicsport Championship. Steve teaches Hip Hop and Funk and is an expert kwasa-kwasa dancer. He represented South Africa at the Multiple Karate Championship. He is a house DJ and part of the JenDuo DJ group. He completed his BA Degree in the UK, and is a football fanatic who also plays whenever he can. His favourite player is Mikkel Arteta. He is a former presenter on Sportsbuzz with Sebs and Graeme, and presented and danced on several TV shows over the years. Mini Profile Age: 24 Birthday: 25 Feb 1983 Any nicknames: Stevovo, DJ Mlungu, Stevie Wonder A bit of background on your TV career: Started with Kideo Bics, Eat Street, Sportsbuzz Pet Hate: Traffic in Jozi Favourite food: I eat everything, probably Surf and Turf Favourite form of relaxation: Watching my collection of British Comedy DVD’s Favourite Tourism destination: I love England, would love to tour the Far East Favourite hangout: Anywhere that plays great dance music Favourite Movie: Snatch, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Favourite TV programme: Jika Majika Favourite actress - Local: Kim Engelbrecht Favourite actor - International: Edward Norton Favourite music: Faithless, House Music, Electro House Favourite person: I would probably say my crazy, talkative Granny Best advice you received: “Whatever you put in you always get out” - Dad Worst advice you received: “You cannot dance!” Your source of inspiration: My family and friends How do you keep in shape? I dance professionally and play football as well. Favourite drink: Passion Fruit & lemonade How did you get into presenting? Through Dancing The best thing about being a presenter: Being able to perform Favourite item of clothing: My Everton shirt, no questions asked. Three words to describe yourself: Funny, loyal and motivated What qualities do you admire most in a person? Kindness, Sense of Humour, Pride You'd never forgive a friend who... supported Manchester United, ha ha! Joking! The person you SMS the most is... probably my mate Nick The one thing that your life would be meaningless without: Everton Football Club Ha Ha! What's the most extravagant thing that you've bought? My huge LCD TV On what do you enjoy spending your money? DJ Equipment, Music, Joeling Do you cook well? No, I’m terrible Who had the most influence on you as a child? My wonderful Mum and Dad What was the hardest lesson you've learnt? Life isn’t always fair Do you speak to God often? Not often enough Your hobbies: DJ-ing, Playing and Watching Football, Dancing Most memorable experience: Meeting Madiba and winning my first SA Karate Championships. Most embarrassing experience: Being mistaken for being the old Kaizer Chiefs keeper, Fernandez! I was forced to sign autographs! Message to the youth of South Africa: Be proud of who you are. Have fun! Your dream future for South Africa: It’s coming in 2010! Life, Love and Happiness! Your personal dream for your own future: I would love to travel the world dj-ing, and getting into sport broadcasting, ultimately to be happy in every decision I make. *** The presenters are considered Channel Ambassadors, and they will serve as custodians of Mzansi’s favourite Television Channel and Africa’s biggest media brand. The current SABC1 presenters have been retained, and the total number of channel presenters is now seven. The other presenters are: Zamaswazi (Zama) Ngcobo; Nkosinathi Ntuli; and Fezile Makhanya.