Unathi Nkayi has come under fire for advancing a joke about the Xhosa nation being tired of “holding the country on their backs.”

The joke, which first emerged after the Springboks won the World Cup under captain Siya Kolisi’s leadership, caused a stir when the Idols South Africa judge enacted it on Sunday night’s episode of the singing competition.

Two weeks ago, Kolisi became the first black captain to see the national rugby side bring the World Cup trophy home. And along with being celebrated for this milestone, some took it a step further to bring up the fact he is also Xhosa.

MZANSI TV NEWS: HARMONY KATULONDI TO HOST ‘THE TASTE MAKER’ 

So when Unathi sang Luyolo’s praises following the delivery of a stellar performance on the show, she went on toss out one for the culture. Except, it appears, the timing, platform and context in which the comment landed has proven to have been inappropriate.

Viewers have taken to social media to lambast Nkayi’s choice of words as they fear her joke could potentially inspire voting along tribal lines, a political landscape to which serious historical tragedies attend.

If the judge’s comments do indeed hold enough power to influence the direction of the votes, as suggested by some, the credibility of the votes could be questioned.

MORE TV NEWS: 5 SOUTH AFRICAN TV SHOWS YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING!

Aware of how her remarks could trigger a furore, Unathi immediately apologised during Sunday night’s show and clarified that she had just been joking.

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SABC 3’s long running premium lifestyle TV show, Top Billing, has been canned.

The Tswelopele Production, which has been chronicling the lavish and opulent lives of the South Africa’s most monied, along with all the fine experiences in travel and home, will this week be airing its final episode after 27 years on air!

QuenchSA understands that the curtain call episode will be airing this Saturday, October 19th.

Despite reports that she’s unhappy with the SABC’s decision to roll the credits permanently on her production company’s flagship show, Tswelopele Productions maintained a positive spirit in their press statement.

“This show exemplifies excellence and sophistication in arts, design, decor, fashion and broadcasting, creating countless jobs in its many years on air”, they expressed. “It has been quite a ride and it is fitting that after 25 years, we salute this season as our final one”, it says here.

Sowetan has reported that the cash strapped SABC’s decision to pull the plug on the show is down to the cost involved with producing it, which are estimated to be between R500 000 and R800 000 for each episode.

Further to this, the show’s ratings are said to have plunged since it was moved from it Thursday slot to a Saturday.

Viewers are devastated by the blind side, lamenting an end to lush scenes of a life towards which they aspire.

“What’s the point of being rich if Top Billing can’t confirm it to the world?”, one Twitter wrote, amongst many others sharing this sentiment.

What’s the point of being rich if Top Billing can’t confirm it to the world?

Mxim. Ngcono re no tlogela.

— Piano Man (@KMalatji) October 17, 2019

Lerato noted the role played by the show in igniting her passion for architecture, which would later become her career path.

Top Billing influenced me so much towards my career choice. I redrew most of the houses I saw on Top Billing back in High School and I proceeded to study Architecture thereafter. Heck I got the job my dreams from a company that was and still is being FEATURED on Top Billing. 😭😭

— Lerato Ramolahloane (@Ms_Ramolahloane) October 17, 2019

Your thoughts?

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Last week, SABC 3 unveiled a new reality show, The Taste Master, which intends on hunting down the next foodie sensation.

South Africa’s hottest culinary sensations will be put to the test with a series of tasks as they battle it out in the hopes of becoming the brand-new resident foodie on SABC 3’s popular variety show Afternoon Express.

The new resident foodie will be able to use the platform to showcase their gastronomic talents while making a name for themselves as an industry leader in the culinary space.

Top Billing presenter Harmony Katulondi will serve as the official host of the series, which debuts next month. Harmony will guide both the contestants and viewers at home through the various challenges taking place in each episode.

RELATED: GETTING TO KNOW HARMONY KATULONDI

Harmony is no stranger to reality television. He famously won last year’s season of Presenter Search on 3 which saw him win a coveted job as host of SABC 3’s popular magazine show Top Billing.

Since winning the competition, Harmony has gone on to experience once-in-a-lifetime moments and on The Taste Master, he’s looking forward to changing another person’s life forever.

When asked about the show, Harmony had this to say, “I’m excited to be hosting The Taste Master because I love food, I love people and the art of bringing them together is the most interesting thing about this show for me. More importantly though, I’ll get to see someone’s dream come true.

I’ll get to go on a journey with the contestants as they discover their passions and how to apply them to overcome the various challenges thrown at them. Having my career boosted by a similar show, I can confirm that being part of a show like this opens up your career – and your world – to new ventures. I’m excited to see what it’s going to do for our contestants”.

Harmony admits that The Taste Master is unlike anything South Africans have seen on television before because a presentation element plays a big part in this series. “This show is different from all the other cooking shows because it’s not just about the dish”.

Auditions for the exciting new reality show are now open and will remain so until midnight on the 22nd of October 2019.

Those of you who think they have what it takes to be The Taste Master can now enter! You have to record a video of yourself telling the show why you would be perfect for this role and upload it onto Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #TheTasteMasterSA and #StartWithAStella. It’s that easy.

The Taste Master premieres on the 12th of November 2019 at 19h30 on SABC 3

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