WeeklySA_AdminPOP-UP: The comedian is popping hot on The Masked Singer SA…
By Gugu Sibiya
Comedian Mpho “Pops” Modikoane is over the moon over his selection to host the inaugural reality series, The Masked Singer SA, which went on air from June 3.
Oozing charm and the vibrancy that livens up the show and keeping the audience enthusiastic, Pops is proving why he was a natural for this long-awaited reality series. In the studio, the sleek host has turned out to be the glue that seamlessly binds The Masked Singer SA together.
Reflecting on the plum gig, Modikoane says “I can’t put it into words because of the magnitude of the show. We’re talking about the big stage here. I go through a range of emotions, excitement, nerves just thinking about it. After all, it’s a legacy show that’s seen certain personalities who hosted it and other prominent shows in the world have their careers, glow. I’m ecstatic to be part of this life-changing experience. (Badimo ba ntshebeleditse) meaning my ancestors have my back” he says appreciatively.
“How much fun the audience has, is dependent on how much fun I have presenting it. No matter how much talent you have, you’re as good as your last show, so I fire from all cylinders. It’s shows like these that breathe life to SABC which luckily still has the numbers,” he says, referring to the viewership.
“In fact,The Masked Singer SA has taken me back to the days when American shows dominated the SABC airwaves. Things have changed drastically since then. They even have apps that enable you to watch your favourite programmes at your convenience or catch up with old ones too. I really prefer shows like America’s Got Talent which could be viewed with the whole family, instead of watching alone in your corners,” he says.
“The outcome of the show is not based on judges. We have celebrity detectives who guess who’s behind the mask, from the leaked clues given by the contestant. The show is pure fun with its elaborately designed costumes, distorted voices and mask.
“The integrity of the show is dependent on secrecy. Contestants never see each other because they are either in disguise or costume. Detectives rely on clues from the videos and get one chance to ask a leading question, which confuses them even more. After a performance, the hyped-up audience vote for their favourites. The losing personality is unmasked. It’s only then that we get to see who was behind the mask all along.
Modikoane says his journey into comedy was not a walk in the park. “Young people today want things now. Although I was eager to make people laugh then, my career-defining moment came 13 years later. I love and am passionate about it that’s why I’m still at it. Kids trend twice and think they’ve arrived,” he marvels.
After 13 episodes, four contestants will go head-to-head for the title of The Masked Singer SA golden mask trophy, but in essence, it’s also about the bragging rights of scooping the coveted title to the inaugural show.
Modikoane has earned his stripes for presenting at the most-sought after events like the SAMAs, Royalty Awards, SATMAs, Roast for Khanyi Mbau and a couple of other comedy shows.
“Comedy’s still my first love. My friend Mzi Mbuli or Robot Man and I have a weekly Podcast called Popcorn and Cheese, which is doing well with 100 000 viewers. Focus and discipline are the hallmark of this fun, motivational and laughter-laden platform” states the funnyman who celebrated his birthday with a comedy show at Emperor’s Palace on June 10.
BLUEBELLS UNITED CELEBRATES JUBILEE OF STRUGGLE
RESILIENCE: By insisting on having a non-racial squad of players – thereby defying apartheid laws – the club was debarred from using the local stadium as well as all Johannesburg council grounds
By Ali Mphaki
A glorious day next Sunday July 9 awaits fans, past and present legends of the Lenasia, south-of-Johannesburg-based, Bluebells United in celebration of a decisive goal the club scored against the apartheid machinery way back 50 years ago.
Barred from playing their games at the local Lenasia stadium, the team had to play their games almost 200 kilometres away in places such as Vrededorp as well as Natalspruit in now called Ekurhuleni. .
Their sin? The 1966 launched outfit comprised a mixture of players from, in apartheid terminology, different races of Blacks, Indians and Coloureds in clear contravention of the policy of separate development.
The team was affiliated to the non-racial Federation Professional League in 1972, a league that encouraged the beautiful game to be played without any racial restrictions. This was in direct conflict to the Apartheid Government policy at the time.
It was a huge inconvenience, taxing both financially (for the team management) and psychologically for the players, but the club head honchos would not yield to apartheid machinations and soldiered on regardless.
The team had to wait until July 1973, after an epic struggle with Johannesburg City Council, to win the right to play at the Lenasia Stadium. This year marks 50 years of that groundbreaking fete and surely a reason to celebrate that momentous milestone.
Various activities have been planned by the Bluebells United Legacy project to take place in the same Lenasia stadium next Sunday in commemorating the use of the stadium.
From 10am there will be a junior festival featuring age groups under 7, 11, 13 and 15, along with a girls football fixture.What should be the cherry on top will be a historic clash of legends, a match that will bring together iconic players from the team and their legendary rivals of the past.
Organiser Angsie Pillay say they will also honour veteran newspaper photographer Len Khumalo, the late journo Ameen Akhalwaya, the late pot, writer and journo Don Mattera and Dr Selma Browde as well as players who comprised the resilient squad of 1973
Outstanding footballers that have donned the Bells jersey with pride over the years, include, Groovin Malope (late), Big Boy Kholoane, Soondrum Moodley, Smiley Moosa, Jerry Sadike (late), Leroy Fortuin (late), Suli Bhamjee, Chris Fortuin, Bubi Williams, Robin Palm, Roy Jones, Andy Karajinsky, Gary Moonsamy, Indrin Pakiry (late), Kanaga Naidoo, Gora Ebrahim, Augustine Makalalakane, Peter Balac, Haroon Mohamed, Derek Eastwood, Sugar Patel, Martin Patel, Deenan Pillay, Zuna Mall, Noel Goodhall and the list goes on.
