Harambe is the latest youth talk show that aims to raise awareness about contemporary issues affecting South African teenagers and young adults. The 26-episode show starts on SABC1 on Thursday, 14 January, at 19:00.
It is a weekly-studio based talk show featuring a panel of youthful adults, including two main presenters, Vusiwe Ngcobo and Lutho John, and four trendsetters, referred to as the 'posse': Palesa Masiteng; Moeti 'Mo Flava' Tsiki; Bianca Williams; and Sdu Majola.
Each week the panel, along with a studio audience of teenagers and young adults, will discuss with the experts and celebrity guests the role young South Africans play in a modern South Africa. No topic will be off limits.
Harambe has travelled all over South Africa in its quest to ensure all young South Africans ‘pull it together' to make it a better world for themselves. From the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape – young people have been given a microphone and encouraged to have their say and share their feelings on the above topics. Together they share their opinions and discuss solutions. Young viewers will be shown how they can ‘pull it together’ by volunteering in their communities; making lifestyle adjustments to save the earth; and many more.
Understanding its audience, the elements of music and technology have been combined to ensure Harambe is a cutting edge show that speaks the language of the youth. Viewers will be able to log onto social networks like the Harambe Facebook page and website, to discuss the aired topics in more detail, or to get the latest music and celebrity facts. Featured guests include the biggest music names, including Da Les from Jozi; T’zozo; plus many more.
Harambe engages and promotes positive social interaction of the youth of South Africa.
Presenters:
Vusiwe NgcoboVusiwe was born on 26 September 1988 in Johannesburg, and grew up in a musical family with both her parents being successful South African musicians. 'Ihhashi Elimhlophe' meaning 'white horse', is her father’s stage name and her mother performs by the name of 'Ebony'. Both are prominent musicians and have been for over 20 years. In 1998, she and her siblings decided that they wanted to form a group of their own so they decided to form a music outfit called Amaponi (baby horses). The Amaponi went on to release their first album in 1998 and since then, they have released five other albums. Amaponi have also built up a strong international presence as they have represented South Africa internationally several times. Included in the countries they have performed in are: Hungary; America; Swaziland; Mozambique; China; Canada; Spain; and Jamaica to name a few. Amaponi have had influential audiences and have performed for respected social figures like King Goodwill Zwelethini; Mangosotho Buthelezi, The king of Swaziland; former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, Nelson Mandela as well as the current South African President, Jacob Zuma.
Ngcobo is a young woman who embodies style; beauty; power; and courage. She has gone on to become a successful and crucial YO-TV presenter. She began in 2004, and started presenting two shows - 'Shine' (nationwide talent show) and 'Blue Couch' (a talk show, which is about all the issues that young people face). Ngcobo ended up working on a various number of live shows on YO-TV, namely, 'Big Breakfast' (a show about sport, music and celebrities); 'Blue Couch'; 'Friends Forever'; and 'Wildroom'.
Ngcobo has established herself as a brand in the South African entertainment industry as an accomplished musician; a television presenter; a live performance artist; and she has plans to increase her portfolio into theatre. Ngcobo as a brand is present in all the major media types – television; radio; print; and live entertainment.
Lutho John
Lutho was born on 10 January 1988 and is fluent in English; isiXhosa; Zulu and has a conversational understanding of Afrikaans. He spent his high school years at Alexander Road High School and then moved to Tshwane University of Technology in pursuance of his tertiary education. He has a Diploma in Musical Theatre (currently in thirrd and final year). His performance experience in film includes the role of an assassin in a student film titled 'Polysnuffer' released in 2005. His special skills list includes: singer (baritone); dancer (jazz; hip-hop; ballet; contemporary; African); Standard British and American accents; character voice and laughs; choreographer; voice over; and MC-ing.