It’s the fabulous five as ‘Mela’ gets new presenters
SABC3’s Eastern-influenced lifestyle show, Mela has two new faces joining Zakeeya Patel, Mishal Mookery and Tevin Naidu.
The first is IT Security Specialist and Jacaranda FM DJ, Kriya Gangiah, who brings her flair for fashion, adventurous spirit and vibrant personality to the presenting table.
Gangiah, 27, admits, “It’s nice to be back on TV. I was on e.tv’s Craz-e for four years.”
A fan of the team behind Mela, she says: “They have been in TV for years. Imraan Vagar is the director for Mela. It’s really great working with a team I grew up watching on TV.”
She was once a guest on the show and even cracked a joke with Patel about being part of it. Soon, she got that call from the powers that be.
As for her contribution, Gangiah explains: “It’s a very glamorous lifestyle show. They encourage presenters to be their own.”
What’s interesting is Gangiah’s graceful juggling act in holding down her chief job in IT for Deloitte while also co-presenting The Late Show weekday slot on Jacaranda FM and presenting on TV again.
She explains: “When I graduated with my degree, I thought I should do something with it. And Deloittle keeps me out of trouble (laughs). Time management is key, though. I’ve mastered the art of it: Deloitte by day, Jacaranda at nights and
Mela on weekends. They are all accommodating. “The one important thing, for me, is that I am always myself on TV. I’m a very funky, spontaneous and free-spirited person. For example, I recently went surfing on the show – I’ve never done that before. I also like to showcase how I perceive the world. It’s nice to know, as a woman, you can be who you want to be. There are a lot of areas where women can be strong and lead in their field. That is my overall goal.”
Actress Carishma Basday ( 21 Million Reasons and Material) is also determined to make an impression when she joins the show on March 27.
When Tonight called her, Basday, who is based in Cape Town, gave us a rundown of her frenetic schedule: “Well, I have finished shooting a TV production for the UK, but I’m not allowed to say too much about it. I’m an acting coach, a yoga instructor and I’m writing a feature film.”
Like Gangiah, she was once a guest on Mela and her personality clearly registered with the decision makers. She adds: “They were doing a feature on my life after my career took off with Material. And I jokingly hinted that if they were ever looking for a presenter… (nudge, nudge, wink, wink!)”
On being asked to join the team, Basday says: “I thought this would be nice for my career. And I’m a people person, so it slots in nicely, too. I’m a very dynamic person. I don’t feel there is any situation I will be in where I’d feel out of sorts; I’m always up for a challenge. I’m very passionate about a lot of topics.”
This is also a nice early birthday gift for Basday, who turns 29 three days after her Mela debut.
Mela, SABC3, Sundays at 1.30pm.