There are a number of talk shows in Mzansi and black women seem to be at the forefront (or at least hosting) them.
I happened to catch Tumi Makgabo on Mnet Stars. She's the host (and producer) of Talk with Tumi. This show was originally on Mnet, not sure why it was moved to stars channel, who watches this channel anyway? Her show is positioned as premier, upmarket where she interviews who’s who in the world. The people she has interviewed include Martina Navratilova, Sir Richard Branson, and Helen Zille etc. This show is good, the guests are interesting and the host is excellent. I don’t think she has much of an audience on the current channel. I think more people would benefit if it were to be moved to SABC 3, late night around Oprah’s time or maybe scrap Oprah and show case some South African talent. 
The talented Tumi MakgaboSis Noeleen is the more famous and much loved talk show queen. She presents 3Talk on SABC 3. There’s not much I can say here – she’s our very own Oprah, without the gifts and studio audience. She came at a time when we didn’t really have a lot of talk shows. Sis Felicia left a void when she upped and left. Some of us needed an alternative to the ‘B n B’, so 3Talk is well positioned and great (most of the time). Noeleen connects with her viewers and guests and basically her show works for SABC 3, don’t think anyone wants to temper with it.
Then there’s Kgomotso Matsunyane. She’s the host of Late Night with Kgomotso. I don’t think I’m qualified to talk about her show because I only caught 5 minutes of it (this is after I forced myself to stay awake on Sat night to see what the fuss it about – needless to say what a waste of my precious time). The 1st 3 she was cracking her ‘not so funny jokes’, and the other 2 she was interviewing Lesego Motsepe. I enjoyed her more when she hosted Pillow Talk, LNwK reminds me of The Phat Joe Show, but it’s not quiet there. Maybe I should have stayed up longer, but isn’t it a rule on television to capture your audience in the first 2 minutes?
Carol Bouwer did a great job with Motswako. The girl saw a gap and filled it. Judging by the topics and guests on this show, I conclude that it’s aimed at everyday South African women, more especially black. Sadly (depending on how you look at it) Carol opted to go behind the scenes. This can be looked at as empowerment on her part but could be she was tired of being a source of gossip (espesh because of her accent)
Overall I think we have good talk show hosts. They are well spoken, beautiful and learned women and their shows cater for various viewers. There’s however still a gap in this space and SABC can do more for talk shows. Moshidi Motshegwa or Pabi Moloi (i enjoyed her on sisterhood) would make great hosts for a show aimed at up and coming young adults. Phat Joe must come back; I hope he didn’t burn too many bridges. And mama Felicia, our pioneer, though she was not supported too much, I think she made a difference in this scene.
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