MINISTER FIKILE MBALULA CONFIRMED TO PARTICIPATE IN “GENIUS TALKS” AT THE BET EXPERIENCE AFRICA

Press Release: 

INSPIRING POLITICAL ACHIEVER TO SHARE INSIGHTS FROM HIS LIFE & CAREER AT AFRICA’S ULTIMATE LIFESTYLE FESTIVAL
DJ EUPHONIK JOINS LINE-UP FOR FESTIVAL STAGE
#BETGENIUSTALKS





Johannesburg, 13 November 2015: BET’s acclaimed series of Genius Talks –  a series of candid conversations between leading luminaries and younger contemporaries - is coming to South Africa for the first time as part of the BET Experience Africa (Ticketpro Dome, 12 December).  


Designed to inspire, educate and entertain lovers of African and African-American culture, Genius Talks invites key opinion formers and leaders in their field to open up about what drives them to be the best in their fields.

Confirmed for the first Genius Talk is charismatic South African Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula, who will give insights into his profession and how he balances his success with real-life issues in a changing world.  eNews channel anchor Nikiwe Bikitsha, one of South Africa’s leading radio and television news personalities will moderate the talk on behalf of BET.


Genius Talks will take place live at the BET Experience Africa.  Further participants for Genius Talks will be revealed shortly.  Highlights from the talks will premiere on BET (DStv channel 129) on  26 December @ 22:35 CAT (repeats: Sunday 27 December @ 18:00 CAT;  Monday 28  December @ 15:00 CAT &  Saturday 2 January @ 18:55  CAT).


Says Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa: “Live, engaging and inspiring, Genius Talks’ conversations will be a major highlight that adds a distinct and powerful flavour to BET Experience Africa.  We are delighted that Minister Mbalula will help us pioneer the initiative at the first BET Experience Africa.”

Comments Minister Mbalula, “It is a great privilege to be invited to participate in BET’s “Genius Talks” initiative. I am eagerly waiting to see what BET and Nikiwe Bikitsha have in store for me, and looking forward to using this brilliant new platform for promoting dialogue about sport, art, music and self expression.”


Also joining the line-up for the daytime festival stage is DJ Euphonik, one of South Africa's most successful young dance/radio DJs, with a reputation for being able to please a diverse crowd.  Euphonik joins Afro-soul star Nathi on the Festival stage, where a diverse schedule of activities will run from 12 noon.


Thousands of music, sports and fashion fans are expected to descend on the Ticketpro Dome on 12 December for the first ever BET Experience Africa – a day-long celebration of music, comedy, fashion, sport, dance, food and much, much more, courtesy of entertainment channel BET (DStv channel 129).  A non-stop, jam-packed entertainment fest, BET Experience Africa will wow visitors all day long, combining stunning live performance on a central Festival Stage, while stand-up routines from comedy stars will keep the audience laughing. Reserve your court-side seat for the fun-packed Celebrity Basketball Game and you could be watching top celebrities battle each other for sporting supremacy, while checking out the hottest trends on the sneaker scene at Hunting for Kicks.

 
The day will be rounded off with the BET Experience Concert, with superstar artists headlined by GRAMMY Award winners Maxwell, Raphael Saadiq and Tamar Braxton, alongside Young Thug, AKA, Flavour (Nigeria) and Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania).  On the Comedy Central Stage, South African comedy luminaries David Kau, John Vlismas, Joey Rasdien, Tats Nkonzo, Celeste Ntuli, Jason Goliath, Skhumba and Kenyan funnyman Churchill will bring the best urban stand-up to the festival as they share their best quips, jokes, one liners, observational humour and musical comedy (Expo Centre).


Tickets for BET Experience Africa are on sale now at www.ticketpro.co.za.  Ticket prices (which include access to the sound stage and other lifestyle activities, plus the concert in the evening) range from R750 on the mezzanine level to R1150 (floor standing), R1250 (floor bleachers) and Golden Circle at R1500.


For more information on the BET Experience Africa visit www.betafrica.tv,  like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BETinAfrica or join the conversation about the channel on Twitter and Instagram @BET_Africa using the hashtag #BETXAfrica.  To join the conversation about Genius Talks use the hashtag #BETGeniusTalks.
 
BET Experience Africa is promoted in partnership with Glen 21 and inspired by the BET Experience, held annually in Los Angeles.
ENDS

 
SHOW INFORMATION
Bookings: ticketpro.co.za.  Ticket enquiries and assistance with transactions: info@ticketpro.co.za or 0861-008-277 (hours of operation: weekdays 8am to 4pm). Please note that reservations cannot be made on this telephone number
 
For further information on Debra Lee please go to www.bet.com/topics/d/debra-lee.html.  For further detail on Minister Mbalula www.gov.za/about-government/leaders/profile/6397.  For further information, imagery or media interviews please contact:
BET Africa

Diane Chidrawi
Email: diane@totalexposure.co.za
Tel: +27 11 788 8725
VIMN Africa

Alison Reid
Email: Alison.reiid@vimn.com
Tel: +33 385 300636

 
About BET in Africa
Launched on 2 April 2015, BET (DStv channel 129) is a localised general entertainment service for viewers aged 20-49. Available exclusively to 52 territories in Africa on the DStv pay-TV platform, BET co-is available on DStv Premium. BET is a trademark of Viacom International Inc., and is used under licence in Africa by Viacom International Media Networks Africa.

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