SIR RICHARD BRANSON GETS TO GRIPS WITH YOUTH ISSUES IN MTV BASE MEETS "WITH MTN"

28th July, 2011 - 2:52 PM

Johannesburg, 15 July 2011: British business entrepreneur, record-breaker and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson will be the first global icon to be interviewed for the MTV Base Meets¿with MTN TV series, debuting on 18 July 2011 at 20:30 CAT (DStv Channel 322).

The philanthropist and business leader was selected to appear in the programme after African youth nominated the influencers or game-changers that they would most like to meet.

Johannesburg, 15 July 2011: British business entrepreneur, record-breaker and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson will be the first global icon to be interviewed for the MTV Base Meets…with MTN TV series, debuting on 18 July 2011 at 20:30 CAT (DStv Channel 322).

The philanthropist and business leader was selected to appear in the programme after African youth nominated the influencers or game-changers that they would most like to meet.

Sir Richard faced an eclectic panel of African youth including Zimbabwean poet and political science student Belinda Zhawi (21), Ghanaian youth worker Arnold Sarfo-Kantanka, Nigerian model/singer/dancer Lil SImz (17) and Nigerian actor/director Ola Masha.

MTV Base Meets...with MTN is a youth empowerment initiative and multimedia campaign that allows African youth to connect directly with political, cultural and business leaders. 

Sir Richard’s participation in MTV base Meets…with MTN provides young Africans with a unique opportunity to share his candid insights about business and entrepreneurship, and his views on some of the key issues facing African youth.  They will also learn more about Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group and the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Further episodes of MTV Base Meets…with MTN will include African heads of state Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (President, Liberia), Paul Kagame (President, Rwanda) and Julius Malema (President, ANC Youth League in South Africa), media mogul Ben Bruce and entrepreneur Aliko Dangote.

“MTN is proud to be associated with a programme that connects the youth of our continent with aspirational and inspiring leaders across business, music, politics and more,” says MTN Marketing Executive, Jennifer Roberti. “Communication, engagement and positive dialogue are all things that are very much valued at MTN and we are grateful to the esteemed guests such as Madame President Johnson-Sirleaf, Mr Kagame and Sir Richard Branson for their willingness to participate in a programme that also represents those ideals.”

MTV Base Meets...with MTN will premiere on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) on 18 July at 20:30 CAT and on partner TV stations as the following times and dates:

For more information about MTV Base Meets…with MTN, including interviews with the youth panelists, please go to www.mtvmeets.com or http://mtvmeets.mobi or follow the campaign on Twitter at #MTVMeets@MTVbaseAfrica.