Akon, Russell Simmons, Alek Wek Participating In Season 2 Of ‘MTV Base Meets…With MTN’

‘MTV Base Meets…with MTN’ returns to television screens across Africa on 1 August 2012 on the back of a highly successful first seasonthat saw African youth make positive life-changing decisions after meeting their heroes on the show.

First initiated in 2011, MTV Base Meets…with MTN is a motivational youth empowerment and mentorship initiative and multimedia campaign that connects African youth with the thought leaders, opinion formers, decision makers and role models who shape their world.

Sponsored by Africa’s leading mobile operator, MTN, Season 2 of MTV Base Meets…With MTN features an exciting and varied line-up of interviewees, including leading figures from the realms of entertainment, politics, fashion and sport, hand-picked to inspire African youth to fulfill their full potential.   Among the opinion formers and thought leaders taking part in the series is Senegalese-American R&B and Hip-Hop artistAkon, alongside other world-famous personalities including Hip-Hop pioneer and entrepreneur, Russell Simmons, South Sudanese super model Alek Wek, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President & Head of State, Nigeria, and Togolese international soccer star and Manchester City striker, Emmanuel Adebayor.

In each episode of MTV Base Meets…with MTN, ambitious young Africans from all walks-of-life pose hard questions to high-profile “thought leaders” about issues close to their hearts – in an intimate and informal environment, with no questions off-limits.  Topics on the agenda include entrepreneurship, education, youth culture, politics, sport, racism, gender issues and the African Renaissance.

Youth panelists who asked the questions in Season 1 of MTV Base Meets…with MTN included students, journalists, bloggers, models, comedians, actors, musicians, humanitarian campaigners and poets.  The series inspired young entrepreneurs from around the African continent to change their lives after meeting with their heroes.

Liberian-born singer Jerrilyn Mulbah was inspired by Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote to echo his 18-hour a day work ethic. Subsequently, Jerrilyn saw her career take off, with three successful singles getting great traction on radio in Nigeria and Liberia, and a new music video due for release at the end of June. Jerrilyn’s first album release follows soon, and her first national tour of Nigeria is due to be announced in the coming months.

South African event organizer Sizie Modise was one of a group of young people who met with Ben Murray-Bruce of the Silverbird Group. She made such an impression on Murray-Bruceduring the interview that the media mogul offered her a job.

Ghanaian Arnold Sarfo-Kantanka met with British entrepreneur and humanitarian Sir Richard Branson as part of the series and afterwards decided to concentrate full-time on helping young Ghanaians achieve their full potential through his role as the Operations Director of youth outreach project, WAM Campaign, and fashion line, Me FIRI Ghana.

Season 2 of MTV Base Meets…with MTN, hosted by MTV VJs Sizwe Dhlomo and Vanessa Mdee, will air across Africa from 1 August on MTV Base (DSTV Channel 322) and on terrestrial stations across the continent. The first of nine episodes of MTV Base Meets…with MTN will be a 22-minute ‘Best Of’ episode, featuring highlights from Season 1, that will broadcast on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) on Wednesday 1 August at 20:30 CAT.  Season 2 will then get into full swing with the premiere of MTV Base Meets Russell Simmons with MTN at 19:30 WAT/20:30 CATon Wednesday 8 August.

-MTV

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