After a successful and nail-biting auditions phase, reality show SA’s Got Talent will launch on commercial free-to-air channel e.tv on Thursday 30 August at 20h30. Produced by Rapid Blue, SA’s Got Talent is a country wide talent search for South Africa’s next great talent act, featuring a variety of acts and talents of all ages. The season comprises of 10 episodes.

Monde Twala, e.tv’s channel head says: “e.tv is proud to provide a platform where South Africans are able to live out their hopes and dreams, and we are delighted to share this with the rest of Mzansi. We’ve had a resounding response thus far, the audition leg of SA’s Got Talent was truly remarkable as many enthusiastic hopefuls came out to show off their talent. It’s about to heat up, the stage is set and the search is on.”

From comedians, line and fire dancers, rope skippers, impersonators, rappers, yoyologists, trumpeters and pole dancers – judges Shado Twala, Ian von Memerty and Kabelo “Bouga Luv” Mabalane have had their hands full at the auditions, and are ecstatic about the new pool of talent that they’ve seen.

Says Mabalane: “The auditions have reminded me how awesome it is to be a South African. Viewers can expect to cry, laugh and most of all be entertained.”

Seasoned judges Twala and Von Memerty are also impressed about this year’s talent. “I fell in love with South Africa again. People can expect more variety, from all over the country – they will see things they have never seen before. The show is billed as the biggest talent show in the world – and when that show hits the rainbow nation – the dazzling fireworks display of talent is nothing short of fantastic,” says Von Memerty.

Twala adds: “The SA’s Got Talent auditions have brought more variety. They came from the smallest village to the big cities of SA, all with a story to tell. Some acts were weird and wonderful, some unique and daring. Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson are remembered in song and dance, the yo-yo makes a come-back, the saw makes music, and whistling can be a full time job. Only on SA’s Got Talent, it’s fantastic!”

Says Rapid Blue’s executive producer, Kee-Leen Irvine: “SA’s Got Talent 2012 is off to a rocking start! From the fantastically entertaining to the jaw-droppingly delusional, we have applauded with excitement, laughed with enjoyment, gasped in disbelief and cried with pride at the mind-blowing talent and perseverance that many of our contestants have displayed. This year SA’s Got Talent is a veritable feast of entertainment – it’s appointment viewing at its best.

South Africa’s greatest talent gets underway in the first five episodes. Viewers will witness the search to find the best talent in the country during auditions. It’s the big reveal in episode six as viewers will see who of the hopefuls makes it through to the semi-finals. Episodes seven to nine are live semi-finals. The performance shows, which airs on Thursdays at 20h30 comprises of seven acts. Then, in the half hour results show, two acts are selected to go to the finals. In the grand final episode, six acts will pit against each other for the ultimate prize of R250,000 and the title of being crowned the most talented South African this season.

Source: Screen Africa