Oulap se Rooi, a reality home improvement show which features on
kykNET (DStv channel 144), has allegedly deceived viewers by making over rooms
in the show producer’s home instead of in viewers’ homes. kykNET, which recently
removed the show from its schedule, and show sponsor Builders Warehouse, were
unaware of the ruse which involved friends of producer Francois van Wyk posing as
audience members, who had applied to the show to have a room in their house
made over by presenters Charlie and Alex Kotze (known as the K2 twins). According
to a report by Channel 24, the twins were aware
that the house they were working on belonged to Wyk, but continued working on the programme regardless.
TV with Thinus reported that
Seven20 Entertainment, which produced the show, claimed they “made the decision
to use stand-in actors for the makeover of some rooms” because of “time
constraints and quality.” Top Billing presenter Ursula Chikane, the co-
producer of Oulap se Rooi, told Rapport newspaper:
“We did what we could to keep the show on the air.”
Both kykNET and Builders Warehouse have expressed disappointment upon
discovering the show’s deception. The show is being investigated by kykNET
auditors.
