Melanie Bala gets her own show

M-Net Series, channel 110 on DStv, has been the home of many top-class international television series over the years; now it’s also giving birth to its very first local weekly series – a stylish, sexy, sophisticated talk show celebrating the quintessential woman of today. Aptly called Absolute Woman the first episode will be aired on Wednesday, 6 January 2010.

Melanie Bala will be the multi-tasking hostess of Absolute Woman, and with this sharp-witted, fun and dynamic Metro FM news anchor in the presenter’s chair you can expect a 360 degree take on all kinds of women’s issues.

The show will be shot in studio with an intimate audience and will include relevant, topical issues that women are dealing with; interviews with inspirational, iconic South African women; inserts with women from all walks of life speaking their mind; and demonstrations in studio – from Botox injections to pole dancing and cooking tricks!

Head of M-Net’s Genre Channels, Khosi Khanyile, says this new show is tailor-made for the dynamic women who tune into M-Net Series: “It’s for women, by women, about women, but steering away from any of the negativity that so many of us get trapped in, in today’s age and culture. We will celebrate all things that make us women tick and will bring excitement, laughter, tears, tips, information and real life stories to your screen.”

Melanie can’t wait to start with the recordings for the show: “Absolute Woman speaks to me and where I am in my life now. I am an information junkie, I love reading and am very curious about why people do the things they do. I'm also a little bit of a feminist, and love to challenge the status quo when it comes to how women are seen in the world. This platform offers the opportunity to share information, learn more about something you might not know too much about and accept all women, as they are, flaws and all.”

Melanie, who is currently a news anchor and contributor on “The Avenue” with Glen and Unathi, on Metro FM, started working on radio as a researcher for then Bophuthatswana Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Bop). This allowed her to mingle with a mixture of musicians. Her first exposure to a radio talk show came in 2004, on Metro FM, in which she interviewed prominent politicians, businesspeople and newsmakers.