Actor and TV presenter, Lungile Radu to Host Big Brother Mzansi Season 3
With the start of Big Brother Mzansi Season 3 just 52 days away and with the show’s launch marking the third time, after an eleven year hiatus, that a 100% South African version of the hit reality TV franchise is being created, the excitement around the highly anticipated new season is gathering momentum.
Now producers and show executives have made a key announcement in the run up to the big Sunday, 2 February kick off for BIG BROTHER MZANSI. Fast rising television personality Lungile Radu has been confirmed as the host for the newest edition of the series, and will be taking to the Big Brother stage to keep viewers informed and updated about all the happenings in Biggie’s crib. In addition Radu will be, for the most part, the housemates only contact with the outside world! It’s a big job but with his impressive list of TV credentials growing quickly, coupled with his youthful energy and contemporary urban style, Radu is just the man for the fast-paced, demanding role at the centre of a 24/7 live television roller coaster!
An actor and presenter, Radu rose to fame after he presented the popular programs Kasi 101, O-Boma, Set It Off and Shout it Out on Channel O, Africa’s first ever music television destination. No stranger to reality TV though, the talented television professional previously hosted Fear Factor and recently starred, alongside Thomas Gumede and Siya Ngwekazi, in the aspirational, inspirational Forever Young on Mzansi Magic, a program that he is also responsible for co-creating and developing.
A man of action and highly social by nature, Radu is always on the go and with a jam-packed schedule of activities to contend with, and a constantly ringing phone by his side, it’s clear that he will fully understand the challenges and frustrations the housemates face, being isolated from the rest of the world, governed by an authority figure, stripped of their mobile devices and confined to a limited space. And while the dashing high flyer is optimistic about almost everything, he is realistic about his role on Big Brother.
“On a show of this magnitude and given this format particularly, it’s clear that the stars of the show are the housemates themselves, ordinary men and women suddenly thrust into the spotlight in a truly unique situation. Their prominence on the show allows me to take on more of a guiding role, helping audiences navigate the house and the relationships of those who live in it, while also engaging housemates themselves on their Big Brother experiences.”
He goes on to say, “I’m really looking forward to my time on the show. It’s an opportunity for me to learn what goes into making this massive production. It appeals to the presenter but also to the producer in me. It will also give me the chance to hone my live presenting skills. Being on-air in real time is one of the most challenging aspects of TV presenting and there’s no better place to master that skill than on a program where unpredictable characters, shocking twists and unexpected turns are in fact, normal.”
Commenting on Lungile’s appointment as presenter for BIG BROTHER MZANSI, M-Net Director for Local Interest Channels Yolisa Phahle said that when it came to selecting a presenter for the show, Radu was a natural choice. “Lungile has grown as we have grown. From his first appearance on air to his most recent work, he’s very much a part of the M-Net family. What really appealed to us is that he has the ability to engage with our audiences easily. They love his easy-going but polished demeanour. They admire what he has achieved and aspire to his success.”
She goes on to say, “We knew that whomever we chose would have to understand that this show comes with a huge amount of attention, and as such they would have to be comfortable being in the spotlight. In addition, we knew that we needed to choose an individual who was committed to this project, which as a 24/7 production requires its host to be well informed about day to day happenings, as well as positioned to offer unique insights to viewers about the game.”
Now with Radu on board, producers Endemol SA are hard at work completing a revamped Big Brother house, finalising housemate selection and putting finishing touches to their plans.
BIG BROTHER MZANSI kicks off with a must-watch two hour launch on Sunday, 2 February at 19:00 and will be screened live 24/7 on channels 197 and 198 to DStv Premium and Compact audiences.
Highlights from the series will also be screened on Mzansi Magic so a wide variety of DStv viewers will be able to see all the nominations, evictions and tasks plus all the drama, parties, romance and more!
