Last year South African audiences were bombarded with numerous advertisements from SABC 3 and Cleo magazine regarding South Africa’s top model search. The date was set- auditions were to begin across the country starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg. Contestants could be male or female between the ages of 18 to 35

Audiences couldn’t get enough; however, the enthusiasm soon ran out. An inside source tells GEM entertainment what really took place. The person in charge of the concept and bringing it to South Africa was a young man with an entertainment background. He approached SABC 3 to buy into the show. This he told [contestants]

From the thousands of people who auditioned only thirty would be selected. The finalist would then move to a mansion situated in Gauteng for 13 weeks depending on how far they reached. Each week would be a new task that sees contestant’s receiving advice from South African top models and celebrities. There were rumors that Top Billing presenter Jo-ann Strauss would present the show.

The winner would receive R500 000 from SATM management, Peugeot 207 worth R162 000.00, an 8 page fashion spread in Cleo Magazine. The second and third place would walk away with R180 000, and R70 000 respectively. Our source confirms that everything ran smoothly until the top 30 contestants had to pay R300 each in order to proceed in the completion. The owner of the show than walked off with everyone’s’ money. Sponsors including Peugeot and SABC 3 were left in disbelief. The show was then cancelled, however, contestants and workers were still not paid.

Management asked contestants to send in their banking details for refunds, but nothing came of it

Source:

http://www.director.co.za/mag/south-africas-top-model-search/

 

Cleo Magazine