The hottest reality TV show playing in real time in South Africa at the moment, Big Brother Mzansi, is being hosted by none other than the ever-entertaining Afrika Smilo Mdutyulwa, aka Smash Afrika.
Entertainment SA recently had the chance to have a chat with Smash Afrika to find out more about his journey on the show, as well as his experience leading up to this great moment.
In an interesting moment during the interview, when asked about how he reacted when he found out that he landed this gig, he said: “I was doing an event out in Polokwane, and I just finished this gig, then I get a call and I notice that I know this number, and they say to me ‘Smash, you’re the new host of Big Brother Mzansi!’” As excited as he was about the news, he had to contain himself because there were people surrounding him still working.
Smash exclusively revealed the most amazing part of that evening. It happened to be his birthday. “Fortunately for me, and I haven’t told this to any reporter, so you are getting the scoop – when I go back to the venue where I was working, the person who hired me for the event takes the mic from me and says to everybody ‘Hey guys, its this guy’s birthday. Can we all stand up and sing for him?’” Smash says he decided to express his gratitude but they didn’t know that his excitement included the fact that he just got the gig.
As we were chatting, the presenter also mentioned that there is an assumption that he knows what happens in the Big Brother house before the public or curates some of the things that take place, but he made it clear that until the Sunday live shows, he watches just like everyone who is the audience at home. And gets shocked at some of the drama that takes place as well.
Big Brother Mzansi Umlilo is exactly where its at, with the housemates constantly shocking the public, trending for both good and bad publicity, as well as people’s favourites being eliminated, including the latest housemate Kay B that just got disqualified from the competition.
When asked about his biggest challenge about his job, Smash mentioned that he sometimes has a hard time separating his personal views about what happens in the house, as well as his professional views. He also jokingly threw in the challenge of constantly changing his favourite housemate, and because he is from Free State, was rooting for his homies at first, but as the competition continues, he’s now conflicted.
We all know that Smash Afrika has a background in Radio and hosting events and TV shows including TV shows such as Massive Music, but he says what contributed to him being ready for this gig the most is radio, as it is live. “When you mess up there you mess up for real. You must come prepared. But also knowing that you are a human being so you will never be perfect is important.”
On a lighter note, when Entertainment SA asked Smash if he were to be a housemate for one day, what would be his strategy? “In that house, you’ll think that being yourself will work for you, but you soon realize that you need to have more than yourself” he laughingly said. He mentioned that he would borrow personalities from his family members including his sister, cousins, and his dad so that people could experience different sides of him.
Rituals before hitting the stage? Oh, he said he can’t tell us because it wouldn’t work, right before he laughed and said people reading this that he works with might question that statement as they’ve never seen him do anything. But on a serious note, he only believes in two things, prayer and preparation, and everything else flows from that.
Everyone knows that Smash Afrika is a fireball, but we wanted to find out from the horse’s mouth what his hosting style is, in three words, and he described himself as: Energetic, funny, and authentic. “Eish I don’t like blowing my own horn but authentic because I don’t think there’s anyone like me, and if there is, they’re probably copying me.
Advice for the youth aspiring to follow in his footsteps? Smash said, “This industry is not for the weak. You can’t have a weak sense of who you are, you can’t have thin skin, you can’t have a weak character, and you must know why you want to do this.”
He closed off by saying, its important to have a teachable spirit, and treat people the way that you wanted to be treated. Be kind.
Catch Smash Afrika on Big Brother Mzansi Umlilo on Mzansi Magic DStv channel 161 every Sunday at 6pm – 8pm.
Main Image: Smash Afrika via Instagram
The post Exclusive: Smash Afrika found out he was the new host of Big Brother Mzansi on his Birthday! appeared first on EntertainmentSA News South Africa.
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