INLSA

Masechaba Lekalake is host of the Big Break Legacy. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu

Although Masechaba Lekalake is an arresting beauty, she is relatively unaware of her impact on those around her. That the former news anchor and TV producer is knowledgeable, eloquent and has her finger on the pulse of the entertainment industry, makes her a sought-after individual.

And such prominence can only be attained through the experience Lekalake has gained during her career to date. She kicked off her professional life as a producer and anchor of Into Africa (SABC Africa) in 2003 before moving to Afro Showbiz News (SABC Africa) and then Weekend Live (SABC News). In 2009, she was signed on as a prime time anchor for eNews Africa (eNews Channel) before being headhunted by SABC1 to present One Day Leader last year.

On the latter, Lekalake explains: “Leaving eNews Africa was a very difficult decision to make. But it was for a youth leadership programme and that is something I’m passionate about.”

A year later, she got another call at her office – Lekalake is the CEO of Masechaba Media.

“Curious Pictures said they thought that I would be the perfect presenter for this show (The Big Break Legacy). When I heard it was an entrepreneurship/mentoring show, I went for the screen test. As an entrepreneur myself, it is a blessing to work with business mentors such as Ezra Ndwandwe and Wendy Luhabe. These are people I look up to and it is a pleasure to suckle on their wisdom and get paid for it,” she shares.

Conceptualised by Ndwandwe, The Big Break Legacy features 12 business-minded contestants who find their vision and skills tested in an array of pressure-filled challenges.

With R5 million up for grabs – the judging panel comprising business tycoon Ndwandwe; Luhabe, social entrepreneur and the chairman and director of Diverse Industries; Dr Werner Barkhuizen, who is as proficient a businessman as he is a psychologist; and Ellis Mnyandu, the editor of Business Report, puts them through their paces with one person evicted at the end of each episode in the 13-part series.

Explaining her function as host, Lekalake says: “I am basically the link between the contestants, the judges and the broader South African audience. That requires someone who not only has personality, but also credibility.

“Coming from a news and current affairs background – and being an entrepreneur – makes this a perfect fit. I am able to speak from a knowledgeable point of view, but I’m not too disconnected from the audience.”

She continues: “I’m learning so much as a part of this team. I can only image how much an audience member will take from this programme. And that is really the reward of this show.

“We know the biggest problem facing our youth is unemployment. While many have great ideas, they don’t know how to turn them into an enterprise.

“And the 12 contestants, while from different backgrounds, have great business ideas that impressed the board.

“Viewers will get to not only learn through their mistakes and actions, they will get to see the daily challenges they face.”

The reality offering aside, Lekalake confirmed that she plans to launch her own talk show.

“I am working on my talk show. SABC1 has given me their formal intention and we are in discussion at the moment.

“The show will be called Masechaba, Mother of the Nation, and will speak to women between the ages of 16 and 34. The brand is all about empowerment and self- development and it will be a story-driven show.

“My vision is to take the camera to the streets. In a sense, I feel like I’m getting a lot of practice on The Big Break Legacy,” she shares.

Whichever way you look at it, Lekalake will be as much a talking point as The Big Break Legacy.

In the meantime, I can’t help but silently applaud the prospect of 3Talk’s Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu being given a run for her money.

• The Big Break Legacy airs on SABC2 at 7.30pm tonight.

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