Based on the format of the US show of the same name, The Cut is a reality TV show that features 16 trendy South Africans battling it out against each other to win the design job of a lifetime.
All 16 have different creative ambitions and specialities which they'll put to the test each week as they face tasks that challenge their creative savvy and business sense in various design disciplines.
Contestants are divided into two teams for each task - which change from week to week - and areas of design they focus on include designing interiors, print ads, fashion and music video's.
Judging whether or not they have what it takes to make the cut is the Style Council - a panel of three design experts who'll put them through their artistic paces and decide on who's saved for the next week and who'll be eliminated.
Each episode the Council is joined by a different stylish professional who specialises in the design the weeks task focuses on.
Facilitating things in between the action is the show's host Claire Mawisa who takes everyone through the dynamics of finding the most cutting-edge trendsetter of them all.
Episode 1:
Design A Billboard (29 August, 2006)
The first episode kicked off with introducing the series, how it works, the location of the action, the contestants and their awaiting challenges.
Claire Mawisa was introduced as the facilitator and the contestants were divided into two teams - one led by Lerato and the other led by Vus.
They were then given their first task which involved designing a billboard for the 10th annual Design Indaba.
Episode 2:
Music Video (5 September, 2006)
The South African music scene is booming, but looking at SA made music videos their creators often borrow form American trends and looks.
Participants were presented with a song South Africa's Zamajobe and were tasked to conceptualize and direct a music video without using any American elements, e.g. bling, girls in bikinis, long, shiny cars, pool parties, fur coats, etc. We look for a fresh, totally original design.
Episode 3:
Interior Design (12 September, 2006)
Teams had to design and fit a small apartment using Woolworths home store items. The apartment was created out of scaffolding situated outside the Design Quarter in Fourways, Johanessburg.
Episode 4:
Fashion Design (19 September, 2006)
Contestants had to design and make a supporter jersey for SAFA.
Episode 5:
Design A Wedding (26 September, 2006)
Contestants had to design a cross-cultural wedding ceremony and / or reception incorporating elements from both cultures. Each team shared the same real life client and pitched their design to the client at the end of the show. The client chose the winning pitch and thus the winning team. Teams were also judged on the creativity of their pitch.
Episode 6:
Window Dressing (3 October, 2006)
The contestants had to design and dress a window at Cresta's Woolworths to celebrate the 75 year existence of Woolworths.
Episode 7:
Design An Outfit Inspired By A Certain Tribe (10 October, 2006)
Contestants were divided in two teams. Two members from each team were sent off to two different destinations: Namibia and Kenya.
Here these contestants had to study the traditional dress of the indigenous people living there. Their research information was then relayed via phone to the contestants back home. The contestants at home had to design and make an outfit based on this information.
The outfit needed to be modern (something someone would wear today), but still needed to reflect the traditional influences.
Episode 8:
Photography (17 October, 2006)
Each contestant had to exhibit five photographs with a Jozi theme.
Episode 9:
Mzanzi Awards (24 October, 2006)
SABC1's award ceremony for South African stars. Contestants had to design an award and presentation for the ceremony.
Episode 10:
Mural For Brand SA (31 October, 2006)
Contestants had to paint a mural as advertising for South Africa's Alive with Possibility campaign.
Each team was given a blank stretch of wall along the streets of Johannesburg. Their goal was to create the most unique and eye-catching advertisement that they could which was displayed as a mural on a busy Jozi Street wall.
This mural needed to promote both South Africa and the Alive With Possibility campaign, while inspiring the audiences’ aspirations. Contestants needed to incorporate the Alive With Possibility logo somewhere in their murals.
Episode 11:
Vodacom (7 November, 2006)
Contestants had to create a 30 second TV Commercial promoting Vodacom’s 46664 Starter Pack and its affiliation to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. In addition the advert needed to announce the Vodacom 46664 One Nation Concert to be held on World Aids Day.
Episode 12:
Pimp My Ride (14 November, 2006)
Contestants had to customize a BMW for a celebrity guest. They had to modify the exterior with limited resources and kit out the interior within the given budget.
Episode 13:
Brand Yourself An Aeroplane (21 November, 2006)
This episode saw the final showdown between the final two contestants: Vus Ngxande and Odysseus Shirindza.
All eliminated contestants returned to assist them in their final task in which they had to sell their image, more specifically the brand and lifestyle that their designs and as a designer represent. They had to paint what they came up with onto the side of an aeroplane.
After a presentation of their planes Vus was awarded the win.