Carly Barnes

eNews Channel Africa (eNCA) weather anchor Derek Van Dam will be returning to the US in July to join CNN International Atlanta, after featuring on the 24-hour DStv news channel (DStv channel 403) for six years.

Van Dam comments, “Living and working in South Africa has been a tremendous honour for me. I will be forever grateful to my colleagues at eNCA for the experiences and knowledge that we shared together as well as the tremendous support from the countless South Africans who welcomed me into their homes every night on TV.’

Van Dam joined the team in South Africa at the request of Patrick Conroy, Head of eNCA News. He was tasked with setting up the local weather division which now consists of meteorologists and climatologists who produce weather updates throughout the day.

Conray says, “Derek has done the job we asked him to do. We are greatly indebted to him and we know South Africa will miss him too. He became one of us.’

While Van Dam says the move will allow him to be closer to friends and family in the US, he is likely to make many return visits after proposing to his long-term South African girlfriend at the finish line of the Comrades Marathon.

Van Dam comments, “I have mixed emotions about leaving the country of which I have grown to love. But as my mother always taught me, “don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened’. This is not a goodbye South Africa rather it is a “see you later, and have a good one!’”

For the time being Candice McKechnie, eNCA’s climatologist, will be the acting eNCA head of weather.

A nationwide talent search will kick off on 7 June for participants in The X Factor South Africa, which begins airing on SABC1 in September 2014.

The international reality show format has done exceptionally well in other markets, producing stars such as Leona Lewis, James Arthur and pop singing sensation, One Direction. The South African version is produced by Rapid Blue productions, which is licensing the show from FremantleMedia Ltd and SimcoLtd.

Zandile Nkonyeni, Head of PR: SABC TV Channels says, “The X Factor has set the benchmark in finding worldwide superstars over the years. The decision of SABC1 presenting this show is informed by the insight that our viewers and South Africans at large have an overwhelming goal to showcase their extraordinary talents for their aspiration to mega-stardom. SABC1 is therefore a natural home for The X Factor South Africa, reaffirming once again that SABC1 is the entertainment authority within the TV landscape. So if you know that you have that indefinable something of superstar quality (the X Factor), now is your chance to show SA what you’ve got.’

The winning act on The X Factor South Africa will receive R300, 000 and a Sony Music recording contract.

Open auditions will begin in Durban on 7 June and continue in the following cities:

Bloemfontein: 11 June, Bloemfontein Civic Centre
Cape Town: 14, 15 June, Athlone Stadium
Polokwane: 18 June, Peter Mokaba Stadium
Johannesburg: 21, 22 June, the Pyramid Venue
Nelspruit: 25 June, Mbombela Stadium
Pietermaritzburg, 28 June, the Royal Show Grounds

Though not a requirement, entrants are invited to pre-register for auditions online, which will give them the opportunity to quickly move through the registration process once at the audition venue.

Those who are unable to attend the open auditions can audition online by filling in the online registration form and uploading a short video of the individual or group’s singing performance.

Audition Requirements

Entrants must be over the age of 16
Soloists and groups may enter but no bands are allowed
Entrants will be required to sing two songs at the audition
A valid South African identity document is required
Entrants must read and agree to the terms and conditions of the competition

Visit The X Factor South Africa 2014 pre-registration page to register for open auditions.

Visit The X Factor South Africa 2014 online audition page to register for online auditions.

Email thexfactor@rapidblue.com should you experience problems in registering or auditioning online.

The third season of Goal Diggerz, a show which offers viewers a glimpse into the off-field lives of some of the most successful African footballers, premieres on Wednesday, 11 June at 19h30 on Vuzu (Dstv channel 116).

Legendary South African footballer Benni McCarthy, who won a UEFA Champions League medal in 2004 with Portuguese club F.C. Porto, has enjoyed a successful playing career and will give audiences insight into the lives of the world’s top footballers.

Goal Diggerz features players such as Crystal Palace based Kagiso Dikgacoi, Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama, former Orlando Pirates star Andile Jali and French international defender Pascal Chimbonda. From favourite meals to designer labels and where they like to go out, the show uncovers the lavish lifestyle of Africa’s premium soccer players.

Visit the Vuzu website for more information.