ViacomCBS Networks Africa has over the years captured the hearts and minds of viewers with their leading youth, entertainment and lifestyle brands MTV, MTV Base and BET Africa as well as the VJs who viewers have come to know and love. VJs are the original influencers and through their popular MTV Base VJ search the network has opened up the industry and introduced us to the likes of Ehiz Okoeguale, Folu Storms, Nenny B, Sammy Walsh, Nomuzi Mabena, Sizwe Dhlomo, Kim Jayde, Fikile ‘Fiks’ Moeti, Tshego Koke and Ntandose to name a few.
These individuals have shaped popular culture, rubbed shoulders with global superstars and represented Africa on international stages via one touchpoint, ViacomCBS Networks Africa. The brand will be deepening this impact by reintroducing fan favourites and fresh faces with the launch of the Culture Squad.
The Culture Squad is a team of visionaries, creatives and trendsetters who are pushing the culture forward across the network’s youth brands MTV, MTV Base and BET Africa. This platform will give African talent a bigger stage to showcase their distinct originality, highlighting how they are influencing cultural shifts, setting trends and leading the conversation through a VJ centred content portfolio.
VJs across the network’s Pan African platforms will be at the forefront of the culture hosting iconic moments, meeting industry movers at home and abroad, entertaining viewers across several shows and getting involved in meaningful causes that are close to their hearts.
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa commented “Base Day is a celebration and recognition of the power of youth culture across Africa. MTV base will continue to partner with trendsetters across all our brands. The Culture Squad reaffirms that commitment and we are thrilled to welcome our new MTV Base VJs Shamiso and Uncle Vinny to the family, as we elevate African talent to even greater heights and open up the industry.”
Joining the ViacomCBS Networks Africa family as MTV Base newest VJs are TV presenter Shamiso and all-round “Cool kid” Uncle Vinny. Shamiso is no stranger to our television screens and commented on how she feels about becoming a VJ “I was definitely very happy and as a fairly new presenter, it was a great opportunity. Anyone who works in the industry aspires to be at MTV Base at some point in their career, but coming here has been even better. The people are all so kind and so willing to teach, I definitely feel like I am getting better at my craft.”
Uncle Vinny has made a name for himself as a cultural curator and recently featured as a panellist on MTV Base Hottest MCs New Wave List. “It’s been really exciting joining the ViacomCBS Networks Africa family. This is honestly my first big presenting job so it’s kind of scary at the same time but everyone has been welcoming and have had patience with me. I am going to have to get used to the early call times though, but everyone has been amazing. One thing I am hoping to have is my own show and going international,” he commented.
The Culture Squad will be made up of our viewer’s fan favourites. This includes South Africa’s MTV Base VJ Search 2017 competition winner, Tshego Koke, who has used his platform to branch out into the world of hip hop, fashion and fitness as well as Farieda “Pharoahfi” Metsileng, a content curator who became an MTV Base VJ following her viral social media videos. Since her announcement in 2018, Nomalanga “The Flame” Shozi has taken the industry by storm and hosted a number of red-carpet events for BET Africa both locally and internationally.
Nigeria’s Ehiz Okoeguale whose first introduction to fame was through winning the MTV Base VJ Search competition in 2011 and his career has soared ever since. Alongside being one of the most recognisable presenters on the continent, Ehiz has also left his imprint in the African fashion and modelling sphere. Folu Storms needs no introduction having competed in the 2012 edition of the MTV Base VJ Search. She has since made a name for herself on radio and as an actress, starring on MTV’s Shuga series. Nenny B joined the MTV Base family as a VJ in 2018 and has since grown to become a popular and sought after VJ on Nigerian TV screens. She continues to blossom as a content curator for various brands.
The Culture Squad promises to deliver Afro-centric, vibrant and innovative content to viewers across the network’s entertainment and lifestyle brands
