MTV BASE LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR NEW SOUTH AFRICAN VJ AS CHANNEL BIDS ADIEU TO NOMUZI MABENA
Johannesburg, 10 March 2016: Music and youth authority MTV Base (DStv channel 322) is throwing down a challenge to the youth of South Africa, as it searches for a brand new VJ to represent the channel.
The new VJ will host shows on MTV Base and MTV as well as interviewing stars, MC-ing events, attending international awards shows such as the VMAs, EMAs and MAMAs, walking the red carpet, and travelling the continent – all while being an ambassador for MTV Base.
Commented Tim Horwood, Head of MTV Base, “We are looking for fresh new faces with sass, style, street smarts who are immersed in music and contemporary culture. We want gals or guys who embody the spirit of youth in South Africa – raw talent that can step up, grab the opportunity with both hands and represent our channel across the continent.”
If you think you have what it takes to be the new face of MTV Base, applications will open in April 2016.
Since launching 11 years ago on 22 February 2005, MTV Base has nurtured a wealth of awesome talent. The first ever African VJ on MTV Base was Sizwe Dhlomo (now a fixture on the South African entertainment scene with not one but two radio shows to his name: “Bloc Party” on 947, and 702’s “Night Talk with Gugs and Sizwe”. The channel has since provided launch-pads for Fikile “Fix” Moeti (a respected DJ on 5FM), Tanzanian Vanessa “Vee Money” Mdee (a successful radio & TV host, songwriter and recording artist) and – most recently – Sandile Ntshingila, host of MTV Base Roundtable: Hottest Newcomers 2016 and the MTV Base Official SA Top Ten.
The news comes as MTV Base announces the departure of popular VJ Nomuzi Mabena. Nomuzi earned her place on the channel after winning the MTV Base VJ Search in 2012, an initiative designed to find and nurture raw entertainment talent. The former communications science student went on to host numerous shows on MTV Base, representing the channel at a wide range of entertainment events from the VMAs, to the MAMA and MTV Base Golden Beats, among many others.
Continued Horwood, “For three years, Nomuzi has lit up our TV screens and enlivened our events with her amazing energy, her beauty, and her ability to connect with youth audiences. We are sorry to say goodbye, but wish Nomuzi the very best in her future endeavours. Wherever her career may take her, she’ll always remain part of the VIMN Africa and MTV Base families, and we’ll be watching her progress with pride.”
MTV Base – VJ Timeline
2006 – Durbanite Sizwe Dhlomo makes MTV Base history as the channel’s first ever African VJ
November 2006 – Fikile Moeti from Cape Town beats thousands of hopefuls to be appointed MTV Base’s first female VJ
2007- Vanessa Mdee becomes MTV Base’s first ever Tanzanian VJ
October 2012 – Nomuzi Mabena joins the MTV Base talent roster after winning a nationwide search for new talent
October 2013 – Sandile Ntshingila becomes the fourth South African VJ on MTV Base.
For more information on the MTV Base VJ Search 2016 please go to www.mtvbase.com or www.mtv.co.za or join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #vjsearchza
