By Desi Tzoneva

On Wednesday, 24 March, SABC3 held its final press screening session for the fiscal 2009/2010 year, and presented its programming line-up for the months April to June.

Local programming includes a continuation of 3Talk with Noeleen, with a twist. On 1 April, the show will celebrate seven years on air, and this time, it’s going big. A viewer competition will be run, with seven winners being selected to go to Cape Town. SABC3 has partnered with Southern Sun, and the seven lucky viewers will be staying at the Southern Sun Cullinan, five-star hotel. They will be treated for an entire week with a picnic in Green Point Stadium; breakfast on Table Mountain; and a wine and dine session in Stellenbosch. This is all to get viewers involved.

3Talk Presenter, Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu, said that with the 2010 FIFA World Cup around the corner, 3Talk with Noeleen has a serious case of football fever. “Football Fridays are in full swing and we will continue to bring the fabulous; fun; and fashionable side of the beautiful game... bringing viewers everything from vuvuzela etiquette to the divas of soccer.” Viewers will also have the chance to watch music star, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, when she looks back on 25 years in the music industry.

Maholwana-Sangqu added that the Easter Weekend has become notorious for the high death toll on the roads. “This year don’t hit the roads until you’ve watched Mechanics 101,” she said, adding that in addition to this, viewers will get a crash course on changing a tyre. Other programming surprises include an interview with internationally-renowned model, Iman, and the children of the heroes of South Africa’s struggle. Medical Mondays will continue to bring viewers tips on health questions, while the week ends with a monthly movie review; celebrity interviews; comedy specials; and much more. 3Talk continues to be aired from Monday to Friday at 15:50.

Moving on to the soapie slot, in Isidingo, Benjamin le Roux enters the world of OnTV to wreak havoc on the show about bullies and victims. But can he get away with it, or will he be beaten at his own game? Rajesh attempts to make his marriage more than just an arrangement and sets about wooing his wife. Nandipha and Len go for love on the web, but find more than they bargained for. Meanwhile, Lolly tackles the one story that Frank has never been able to crack – bringing down Barker; but both Lolly and Frank find themselves in the firing line. In addition, a face from Barker’s past tries to muscle in on the casino action; and how far will Georgie and Kimberley go to save their slice of the pie? Will Daniel discover the truth about what happened between his girlfriend and his father? When the guests of the Duncan hotel begin to fall ill during the World Cup, Barker suspects he is being targeted, but by whom? Catch this excitement in upcoming episodes of Isidingo.

In addition, Top Billing sees Miss South Africa 2008, Tatum Keshwar, joining the faces of Top Billing as a brand new presenter. After numerous encounters with Keshwar during her reign as the country’s most beautiful ambassador, Top Billing “knew a great thing when we saw it, and were delighted to include Tatum in our presenter line-up.” Keshwar is ecstatic to be joining the Top Billing family, stating that being chosen as a presenter is a dream come true.

Life’s a Journey sees former radio and television personality, Zuraida Jardine, and Mr South Africa, Stephen Segal, bringing the best interviews on wellbeing to viewers. Brought to viewers by Radox, Life’s a Journey uncovers the secrets of health and wellbeing. For 13 weeks, the main drivers of health - from nutrition; exercise; attitudes; and approaches to life - will be explored. The show starts on 1 April at 20:00.

Spanning reality and drama, new upcoming international shows include: Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling, which starts on Monday, 26 April from 20:00 to 21:00 and Survivor 16, Micronesia, which starts on 28 June at 20:00. Yes, Survivor is back, and this time, it is fans versus favourites. Ten super fans of the show and 10 all stars compete against each other on the island of Micronesia near Palau. The Suite Life on Deck, starting on Monday, 17 May at 19:30, is a sequel/spin-off of the Disney Channel original series, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. The series follows twin brothers, Zack and Cody Martin, and hotel heiress, London Tipton, in a new setting, the S.S. Tipton, where they attend classes at Seven Seas High and meet Bailey Pickett, while Mr Moseby manages the ship.

Knight Rider is a shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist. Michael Knight - a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent; the helpless; and the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law. Starting on 1 April, the show will broadcast from Mondays to Fridays at 12:00. Meanwhile, he can see through walls; feel the heat in your veins; stop you cold in your tracks; and take you beyond your wildest dreams Knight Rider 2008 starts on Sunday, 18 April at 19:30.

Other drama in the folds comes to viewers with Law and Order: Special Victims Unit season seven, which will be broadcast from Tuesdays to Thursdays and starts on 1 April at 22:15. In addition, Law & Order: Criminal Intent returns for its fifth season in May, and features the addition of Detectives Mike Logan and Carolyn Barek. The show will start on 24 May at 22:15 and will be broadcast from Mondays to Thursdays.

Other foreign drama is brought to screens in the series, CANE. Will family allegiance come first, or will their secrets and acrimonious conflicts over love; lust; and money lead to their downfall? Starting on 2 June, CANE will be broadcast from Mondays to Wednesdays at 21:00.

Gossip Girl season one, starts on 5 April at 21:00. Based on the best-selling series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, and executive produced by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, Gossip Girl is a one-hour drama based on the lives of privileged teens.

A feel-good story is The Philantropist, starting on Sunday, 4 April at 20:30. It chronicles the heroic adventures of a billionaire playboy-turned-vigilante/philanthropist. James Purefoy stars as Teddy Rist, a successful tycoon who, after the shocking death of his son, wakes every morning with an aching void at the centre of his life. On the lighter side of viewing is Rules of Engagement season two, which starts on Wednesday, 19 May at 19:30. The show is a comedy about the confusing phases of relationships through the sometimes blurred vision of a recently engaged couple, Adam and Jennifer; a jaded married pair, Jeff and Audrey; and a single guy on the prowl, Russell. Finally, starting on Sunday, 30 May at 20:30 is Prison Break season four.

SABC3 announced that programming during 2010 FIFA World Cup matches will carry on as usual, as most of the matches will be carried by SABC1. SABC2 will broadcast eight of the matches, while SABC3 will carry repeats of those matches which viewers voted for.