See out 2013 with SABC1

IF STAYING at home on New Year’s Eve is preferable to risking life and limb, then tune into SABC1 from 9pm on Tuesday.

Come Duze is the channel’s official New Year’s Eve celebration and will be broadcast live from Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and Bassline in Joburg’s Newtown Cultural Precinct.

In Durban, SABC1 has joined forces with the boss of KZN’s nightlife, DJ Tira ( pictured), and his annual Fact. Durban Rocks party. On the line-up are members of his Afrotainment stable including himself, Big Nuz, Joocy and DJ Cndo.

The group of the moment, Mafikizolo, is also booked. And, as it is a Durban event, we all know how Durbanites just love their Durban kwaito. There’ll be Professor, L’Vovo, Zakes Bantwini as well as gospel favourite, Sifiso Ncwane who won the MTN Sama Song of the Year award this year. Other artists include Donald, M’du Masilela and Teargas.

The producer of the television show, Skhonyane Productions’ Baby Joe, says: “We chose to team up with Tira because he has big success in Durban. Last year at the same event he had 8 000 people. Plus, he is one of the most professional people in the South African music industry.”

The teaming up of Afrotainment and SABC1 has seen a massive poster campaign on the streets of Durban as well as big advertising campaigns on the television channel. Tira believes this will more than double the number of attendees.

“This is going to be a huge event. There is so much excitement about it,” he said. “We are expecting about 17 000 people. Also, because it is such a big lineup and is being broadcast live on SABC, the production, including sound and lighting, is really on point.”

Meanwhile, the Bassline party is much smaller with a guest list of 400 invited celebrities and VIPs. The theme is the Jozi skyline.

But the entertainment line-up is as good, with The Muffinz being the highlight of the event, as well as rapper Casper Nyovest. DJs Monotone, Olwethu, Miza and Malume are also scheduled to keep people entertained.

There will also be interviews and well wishes to the nation from celebrities. These will be conducted by various TV presenters including Andile Ncube, Katlego Sinavasan and Lunga Shabalala.

Tira refused to say who would be the artists to play the all important moment on the night. “We are still thinking about it,” he smiled.

Gates at Moses Mabhida Stadium’s Peoples Park open at 4pm with the last song finishing at 5am. There are VIP and VVIP areas as well as a RedBull Tent.