A TBT through the history of SA’s popular TV Talkshows:

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In ‘92 the SABC introduced The Felicia Show, hosted by Sophiatown pin-up beauty Felicia Mabuza-Suttle. The show was positioned as a vehicle to shape ‘the rainbow nation’ while the host used her Journalism degree to tackle some of the important conversations of the era.

People of the South was also channeled to create a strong sense of national identity when it hit screens in ‘94. Hosted by son of ANC stelwart Oliver Tambo, Dali, who traveled to profile various South Africans thought leaders on location. Who remembers the cushions?

Focused on the impact social issues had on the youth, Take 5 actively engaged guests & studio audience. It peaked parallel to kwaito music, which was a robust expression of the youths freedom and views on society. Take 5 was a more sanitized critical investigation on said issues

Mojo saw SA shift into a more innovative approach of the talkshow genre, as it moved away from the proverbial host + studio audience format. Led and produced by prominent married couple, Zam & Nkhensani Nkosi, the show’s values were around black love, relationships & intimacy.

2003: Carol Bouwer introduces Motswako to SABC 2. Targeted at women, the show featured different guests to speak to the hosts on issues pertaining to the role of women in the new millennium, women in business, woman empowerment while connecting the female viewer to information.

In 1999 Phat Joe landed a late night talkshow that would become 1 of the most prominent platforms for SA pop culture. Up until it’s last episode in 2005, the tongue-in-cheek interviews, skit comedy and movie reviews became viewer favourites. Uncensored, current & fun TV was born.

In 2003 Urban Brew Studio’s produced 3Talk with Noeleen Maholwana-Sanqu. Covering a range of topical subjects, the show went through many adaptations that kept it on air for 12 seasons. The host became a lovable fixture in SA homes every evening, speaking to different guests.

‘05: SABC Education embarked on a project that would bring inspiration & community building to TV. Shift was born, with the intention to change mindsets & perceptions around different topics. Aaron Moloisi, whose talkshow experience also came from Take 5, joined as 1 of its host.

In ‘07 Satirist Pieter Dirk-Uys brought Evita Bezuidenhout to SABC 3 in Dinner with the President. The comedy talkshow hosted different celebs & its 10pm time-slot allowed Evita to have a little fun with the guests, like interviewing Danny K while he’s butt naked in a bathtub.

2008: Late Night with Kgomotso was hosted by Kgomotso Matsunyane. This was Matsunyane’s 2nd late night talkshow, after the 2006 sex driven Pillow Talk which also featured Sexologist Dr Eve.

2010 would see Mzansi Magic give the late night talk genre a shot with Late Night with Trevor Noah. The satirical comedy show modeled the traditional American format similar to, ironically, The Daily Show which Noah now hosts.

Late Night News with Loyiso Gola debuted in 2013 and is SA’s longest running late night talkshow, having ran for 12 seasons. Comedy, news and satire became some of the reasons behind the show’s success and multiple SAFTA wins.

In the same year Refilwe Modiselle, Tol A$$ Mo and Masechaba (then) Lekalake hosted a daytime talkshow of Openview HD & eKasi+ called Ekse: Let’s talk. A blend of serious and light hearted conversations took place, targeted at the urban youth viewer.

Meanwhile, SABC 1 was gearing up to launch a music talkshow called Zaziwa. From 2014, host Pearl Modiadie sat down with some of SA’s most loved personalities, to get to know them through the music that shaped their lives.

eKasi+ and Openview HD offered viewers another talkshow in 2014 called Katch it with Khanyi, hosted by Khanyi Mbau. The star sat down with prominent SA media personalities to have very candid conversations with them.

KykNet jumped into bed with popstar Karen Zoid to produce the SAFTA winning Republiek Van Karen Zoid. This late night talkshow featured conversations with some of the country’s most brilliant minds and stars, in both English and Afrikaans mediums.

Women were given another exciting platform to interact around food, fashion, lifestyle & other related topics on Afternoon Express which TX’ed from 2015. Many brands came on board, making it one of the broadcasters most lucrative TV properties.

3Talk ended & Real Talk (with Anele) was launched in 2016. Social commentary, interviews, celebrity guests, some notable & compelling conversations were had. The show was then renamed to just Real Talk, & hosted by Azania Mosaka after the original hosts abrupt departure.

With the growth in the popularity of social media, SABC 3 introduced viewers to a panel driven talkshow that discussed trending hashtags and current affairs called Trending SA. 4 personalities gave live commentary on various topics while also engaging with guests.

In an attempt to tap into the pulse of the nation, in 2017 Comedienne Tumi Morake took the seat to host #WTFTumi. For 2 seasons she unpacked the lighter side of her celebrity guests, while consistently drawing live commentary on current affairs and trending topics.

Some other talk shows that happened, which might’ve slipped your mind: 2010’s Let’s Talk with Mel on Mnet Series, 3 seasons of ETV’s Screen-time with Nicky Greenwall from 2012 & Tongue in Cheek with Anele, Carolyn Steyn, Shashi Naidoo & Michael de Pinna for SABC 3 in 2014.