The Sunday News
Raymond Jaravaza, Sunday Life Correspondent
A NEW mentorship and entrepreneurship reality show — Simba Savanna — that promises to change the face of reality television in the country is set to premiere on Zimbabwe Television (ZTV) tonight at 7PM.
The new reality show, a brainchild of Udugu Institute, Tommy Deuschle and the American Embassy will give audiences a glimpse of the trials and tribulations of emerging young businesspeople trying to cut their teeth in the demanding and vigorous business world. It will also give aspiring entrepreneurs a platform to turn their dreams into reality.
Speaking at a press conference to launch the reality television show in Harare yesterday, one of the show’s entrepreneurs — Gary Thompson said: “Simba Savanna TV Show is an exciting show that gives emerging African entrepreneurs the chance to make their dreams come true so they become successful and possibly wealthy businesspeople.”
“Viewers can expect an educational, instructive, entertaining and humorous reality show.”
Spearheaded by five established and prolific captains of industry, Affirmation Action Group (AAG) president Chamu Chiwanza, business mogul Nigel Chanakira, prominent lawyer and businesswoman Florence Ziumbe, Invictus Capital founder Ritesh Anand and marketing and consultancy guru Gary Thompson.
On the show, the five will be referred to as the “Simbas”.
The plot of the reality show is almost identical to BBC’s Dragon’s Den where contestants who have what they consider to be a viable and potentially profitable business idea pitch their idea to five rich entrepreneurial business-people. Once their idea is approved, the contestants are given funding.
For the local Simba Savanna, one or two entrepreneurs called “innovators” will be expected to come up with business products or services they think can sell on the African market. The goal will be to convince the Simbas who, if they like one’s idea, will in turn offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for mentorship, partnership or investment.
“The Simbas who are encouraged to invest in kind before any cash is on the table will barter, disagree, educate and either offer a deal or remain silent,” said Thompson.
Thompson said Simba Savanna was born after the realisation that the country’s current economic conditions were making it difficult for individuals to get loans to fund their businesses. The selected entrepreneurs were taken from different parts of the country and underwent pitch training and mentoring.
