The top five Joburg finalists.
More than 3,000 young hopefuls turned out at The Venue, Melrose Arch for the auditions – driven by the prospect of escaping the ordinary and getting through to the next round in the MTV Base VJ Search contest. Representing Johannesburg are: Nkhensani Khoza, a 20-year old Wits University law student from Alberton (@misscandyk); 22-year old Joburg model Keitumetse Noinyane (@knaomi_n), Wits BCom/PPE student Tsholofelo Semenya (21) from Kyalami (@tsemenya); and 23-year old IT technician Sandile Ntshingila from Ridgeway (@sandileGQ_23). 19-year old BBA student Cyprian Ndlovu (@iamcyprian) from Monash University proved the value of persistence, making the top 5 after a near-miss in Durban two weeks ago.
Nkhensani, Sandile, Keitumetse, Tsholofelo and Cyprian join Cape Town finalists Loren Loubser, Khanya Siyengo and Roxanne Kalie, and Durban finalists Tamasha Gambushe, Wandile Chamane and Lynton Harvey in the next stages of the competition. Two further qualifiers – music lover Scelo Zwane (21) from Pietermaritzburg (@zwanelenon) and 23 year old Media Studies graduate Mxolisi Masango (@mxolisi) from Auckland Park – will also take their place in the final after submitting their auditions online at www.mtvbase.com.
To make the cut, the finalists completed a range of challenges in front of celebrity judges Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo), Joey Rasdien (@joeyrasdien), Bonang Matheba (@Bonang_M) and Yfm’s breakfast show host Mo Flava (@moflavadj). Urban icons Da Les and AKA also dropped by to lend their support to the candidates and hang out with the crowds.
At stake in the talent competition is a fabulous contract with MTV Base worth R 500,000. The winner will also drive away in a Citroën DS3 Cabrio worth R 315,000. Commented Tim Horwood, Channel Director, MTV Base: “Johannesburg youth really represented at Melrose Arch this weekend, so the search for MTV Base’s new VJ is definitely hotting up! With our key finalists now selected, we are expecting an epic contest and a gripping TV series from 16 August.”
Highlights and funny moments from the auditions will feature on the MTV Base VJ Search Brought To You By Citroën DS3 Cabrio which will air weekly on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) from Friday 16 August @ 17:00 CAT.
