260 more contestants can catch their dreams on Deal or No Deal South Africa
The country’s number-one game show has been renewed for a third season, hosted by TV personality Katlego Maboe.
Hot on the heels of SABC 1’s Deal or No Deal Celebrity Season 2, which kicked off with Uzalo star Thuthuka Mthemba winning R61,300 for the NGO Jumping Kids, Deal or No Deal South Africa will enter its third season on SABC 2 on Monday, 23 June, at 18:30.
This means the hugely popular Deal or No Deal South Africa, proudly sponsored by LottoStar, will seamlessly continue with 260 more episodes, screened in its usual timeslot on SABC 2. There are also rebroadcasts on the channel the following day at 11:00 and on S3 at 17:30
Since bursting onto our screens on 6 March 2023, Deal or No Deal South Africa has transformed the lives of hundreds of ordinary South Africans across the country. Courtesy of LottoStar, almost R14 million in cash has already been given away in this life-altering show. Furthermore, three Deal or No Deal South Africa contestants drove off with snazzy Suzuki cars.
“Deal or No Deal South Africa has been a huge success story from day one,” said Jan du Plessis, President at Primedia Studios. “We are extremely proud of this high-quality production, which has captured the hearts and imagination of millions of viewers whilst celebrating the diverse tapestry of South Africans, their dreams and aspirations. It’s the type of show that truly empowers the nation.”
Every box opened to beat the show’s mysterious banker in Deal or No Deal South Africa is an inspirational story waiting to unfold – a story of hope, struggle, grit and triumph. The contestants, hailing from the streets of Soweto to the farms of Limpopo, from single mothers to aspiring artists, have used their winnings to chase their dreams, no matter how big or small. While some of these contestants have used the cash to kickstart businesses, the much-needed financial boost helped others complete their studies, foot medical bills, upgrade their living conditions or help family and friends.
Take Siya Ngqola, Deal or No Deal South Africa’s very first jackpot winner. With his R250,000 prize, he built a house for his mom and pursued his acting ambitions. Then there was Purple from Soweto, a bold entrepreneur who matched her name with her fearless style, purple hair, purple outfits, and a passion for her homegrown gin brand. Her R50,000 win was fuel for a dream that had been long in the making.
Brave hearts like Sharron Mabasa, a domestic worker and single mother based in Pretoria, who won R103,000, not only settled debts but began the next chapter of her life with hope. Her biggest dream? To build an orphanage and support abandoned people living with HIV.
The list of simple moments that lead to profound impact and courageous contestants stepping into the spotlight is long and inspiring. Viewers wiped away tears when courageous contestants, like CP Diva from Benoni, a media professional and advocate living with cerebral palsy, walked away with R45,000 to grow her foundation supporting women with disabilities. And who will forget how Ewan van Wyk, who lost his leg to diabetes, won R63,920, enough to afford a prosthetic and reclaim his mobility and independence. Or Sithembele Ngema, blind since birth, and Siphesihle Blayi, battling kidney failure and in need of a kidney transplant.
The show has also embraced its playful side through special episodes with unique twists and extra prizes, which will again keep viewers enthralled in Season 3. Remember Easter, when LaReine Jonker, from Limpopo, who once lived in her car, chose a golden egg instead of her final offer of just over R3,000, and ended up with R30,000? Or Mandela Day, with QwaQwa, who danced his way to R27,000 and used it for his animation work and community chess drive. Even love got a spotlight on Valentine’s Day when Sibusiso Gwebityala aka Gwebs, from the Eastern Cape, won a romantic honeymoon trip to Zambia for two after selecting the correct box during a game gimmick, box 21 and box 22.
With over 150,000 applications in the last year alone, the high demand for joining the Deal or No Deal family proves how deeply it resonates with diverse South Africans, representing all nine of our provinces. It’s an engine for change if you’re brave enough to take a chance. What makes Deal or No Deal so powerful is the human spirit displayed in each episode and the stories that linger long after the cameras stop rolling.
“Stories like these remind us why Deal or No Deal South Africa is not only entertaining but life-changing. It’s been an honour to be part of the show across all its seasons. At Lottostar, making a difference is our privilege, not an obligation, and we look forward to making an even greater impact in Season 2,” said Maria Pavli, Head of Marketing at LottoStar.
Both the daily Deal or No Deal South Africa and the weekly celebrity edition, which premieres on SABC 1 on Saturdays at 18:00, are produced by Homebrew Films for Primedia Studios.
Lottostar is Licensed by the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator. No U18. National Responsible Gambling Programme 0800 006 008. Ts & Cs apply. All games are fixed-odds betting events.