DEKAT is a South African Afrikaans-language lifestyle magazine television series produced by the publisher of DEKAT magazine, Elzilda Becker, that aims to demystify the world of art, literature, theatre and cuisine in a humorous but yet informative way.
The series celebrates DEKAT magazine's 25th anniversary.
DEKAT premiered on SABC3 on Friday 1 May 2009, at 21h30. There are 26 hour-long episodes in the first season.
Synopsis
With its bohemian, tongue-in-cheek elements, DEKAT plans to take SABC3 viewers on a magic carpet ride – from theatre festivals, historical travels to experiencing home-brewed sundowners and township cuisines.
Music, interior design and a specially designed insert ‘idiot’s guide to the world of art’ also play a very significant role in the show’s editorial.
DEKAT also uncovers inspiring trailblazers, fascinating eccentrics and maverick personalities of our society adding a touch of celebrity profiling into its content.
It takes on a ‘glocal view’ and incorporates international trends with local tastes and styles.
The presenters are all staff members at DEKAT magazine:
Louïne van der Vyver
After returning from a three year stint in France, Louïne joined DEKAT magazine in 2001 and quickly rose through its ranks to become editor.
Being absolutely mad about art, it’s no surprise that she wrote and illustrated a children’s book for her daughter on the little one’s second birthday.
But for her first story on DEKAT television Louïne traced her roots back to the Highveld which is under threat from coal mining. Her dream insert? To find all the giant puppets of the world: from Reunion and Prague to the East.
Katlego Maboe
This newcomer to DEKAT wears many hats: he has a degree in accounting and sings tenor in upcoming boy band Flip a Coin. Katlego hails from the city of Potchefstroom where he grew up and dreams of hitting the red carpet at the Oscars or Grammy’s and interviewing the stars.
Minette de Villiers
Minette is DEKAT’s photographer and art director and has a passion for anything to do with capturing life’s fleeting moments.
That is if she is not battling it out in an underwater hockey game (she has represented South Africa and is currently a member of the Lions team) or marvelling at marine life whilst scuba diving.
This makes up the ingredients of her dream insert: to explore the best scuba dive sites in Iceland, Mozambique and Australia.
Johrné van Huyssteen
Where can a master’s degree in theology take you? Well, to lead singer in popular Afrikaans band ddisselblom, presenter of a music programme on satellite TV, and editor of DEKATMan – that is if you are our presenter Johrné.
The only thing that gets this talkative man quiet is a spider!
Jorhné dreams of interviewing U2 before their last concert ever, with the Irish band Hothouse Flowers as the opening act...
Martmarie Wessels
In her first insert for DEKAT television Martmarie covered the rescue of a young lion from a life of cruelty. At home she deals with equally exotic animals: Martmarie keeps two banded mongooses called Pens and Pootjies as pets.
She is DEKAT’s marketing specialist and has impeccable taste in food and lifestyle.
Leon van Nierop
Well-known film reviewer Leon van Nierop has been writing for DEKAT since the magazine’s launch 24 years ago in 1985. Afrikaans viewers will recall programmes he created such as Ballade vir ’n Enkeling and Stralejakkers.
In the first instalment of DEKAT television Leon takes to the streets of Soweto to investigate the South African film White Wedding.
His ideal is to travel Route 62 in the Karoo and do an insert on each town. His other dream insert – about a fig farm.
Juanita Daniel
“The story of an African farm” takes on a whole new meaning where Juanita is concerned. This farm girl left her roots far behind to successfully conquer the fashion world first as model and now as director of international fashion shows.
She resides in Germany and will be DEKAT television’s foreign correspondent.
Elzilda Becker
The driving force behind DEKAT television. Now Elzilda is ready for a whole new chapter: extending her brand to the television airwaves.