Jam-packed and pacier. That's how one of 50/50's presenters describes the new version of South Africa's longest-running environmental show, which returns to our screens on Monday night.
"It's still the same wildlife stories and hard-hitting environmental stories, but it's a more jam-packed, pacier show," explains anchor presenter Ntokozo Mbuli.
The 15 field and anchor presenters include climatologist Simon Gear, adventurer Braam Malherbe and marine scientist Mduduzi Seakamela. Former Saturday Star journalist Sheena Adams is also a field presenter.
"These are people who are knowledgeable and have a genuine interest in the environment," adds Mbuli.
The show now features a youth slot, which hopes to encourage youngsters to save the planet as well as inserts in vernacular languages such as Sesotho, Sepedi and isiZulu.
"We're featuring stories in our programmes about our environment in the places we live, whether it's an urban or rural environment," explains Mbuli. "It's not just about game parks, mining scandals and rhino horn, but about how we feature our own rich heritage into modern life."
The show was off-air for the past nine months because of the financial crisis at the SABC. "We are working on making a great show and hopefully we'll be around for a long time," she adds.
- Catch the first episode on Monday at 7.30pm on SABC2. - Sheree Bega