IN the global sphere of all things nature-related, names of experts like Sir David Attenborough, the late Steve Irwin, Bear Grylls and Dave Salmoni are often bandied about.
Here on home soil, 50/50 has been an institution for wildlife lovers. After three decades on air on SABC2, it has become another casualty of all the chopping and changing of content across the SABC and is now found on SABC3. Let’s hope the decision bears fruit with a boost in viewer ratings.
Meanwhile, the show has – in light of dedicated channels like Discovery Channel HD, Animal Planet, Nat Geo Wild and others of that ilk – freshened up its look.
Samir Randera-Rees, 28, is helping in that regard.
This part-Indian, part-Welsh newbie to TV comes with an arsenal of knowledge with his BSc in environmental science as well as European Masters in applied ecology focusing on carnivore interactions.
He says: “This is my first time on TV. I come from the conservation, ecology side of things. I returned to South Africa from abroad last year and saw a post about 50/50 looking for presenters on Facebook. I had all the qualifications so I tried my luck.”
Aside from being well-travelled – having also studied in France, England and Portugal, Randera-Rees also has game ranger qualifications.
Working alongside Ntokozo Mbuli, the anchor of the show, series producer and executive producer; Bonne De Bod, a field presenter, insert producer and researcher and, Bertus Louw, a qualified nature guide and seasoned professional in the wildlife documentary arena, the young blood adds: “It’s interesting. Obviously, I’m wet behind the ears. I’m just learning the ropes.”
Although he has yet to wet his feet as a field presenter, he is unmistakably hungry for it.
He says, with much humility: “At the moment, I’m just given a script and learning how it’s being done from the facial expressions to hand gestures.”
The Veld Focus segment host laughs: “And I’m still getting used to having this sort of voice inside your head (referring to his ear piece) while reading off the teleprompter. It’s a lot of multi-tasking.”
That sense of adventure is also evident. Who else would be crazy enough to head to Namibia for a donkey whisperer experience?
He can’t help but chuckle at the recollection.
He sheepishly offers: “That was probably the most random thing I have done. We have a good family friend in Namibia and he was contacted by this American who wanted to take a donkey cart from the southern to northern part of Namibia. So he asked me if I wanted to train some wild donkeys for this American. We were told the donkeys were relatively tame. But when we found them out in these huge cattle fields, we found they were anything but. Anytime we got close to them, they would start snorting and run away. Eventually, we got them trapped in this little kraal and we started clicker training them…”
On how the series has evolved, he notes: “First, it’s starting to reflect the new demographic of viewership on SABC3. It is becoming more hip, interactive (especially on the social media front). The stories capture a side of South Africa few others do. And it is also moving away from the doom and gloom scenarios. For example, rather than show mutilated rhinos for one of our briefs, we are finding more positive angles. In essence, it is trying to get people to love nature – not make them depressed about it.”
By the by, this youngster has developed an app called Whispers of the Wild, which will launch next month. It will be a virtual tour guide for people exploring reserves and wildlife habitats.
An admirer of Sir Attenborough, Randera-Rees notes: “He has created nature lovers. He has done more than anyone else in that field in the world. That is something I hope to bring to the show.”
• 50/50 airs on SABC3 on Sundays at 5.30pm.