The South African series of The Apprentice finished on Thursday. I don’t want much TV, but managed to become engrossed in both the American and South African versions.
I was struck by the differences between the two shows. When the American version finished, I was disappointed to hear Tokyo Sexwale would be doing a South African version. My first thought was he’s no Donald Trump. I meant that in a positive way, as Donald Trump to me epitomises crass, tasteless consumerism – (see more of my impressions in my Donald Trump post).
I couldn’t imagine Tokyo Sexwale coldly firing the hapless failed apprentices, nor parading about showing off his version of the Trump Towers or his expensive, supposedly natural hair job.
I was pleasantly surprised. The tone of the show was quite different. Based on the show, I’d choose to work with quite a number of the South Africans, who seemed genuinely likeable, while I would struggle to pick one of the Americans. The main difference was that the South African version did not suffer from the single-minded pursuit of money. An element of sustainability and development was brought into it, with the tasks not just being get-rich quick schemes, but projects that at least attempted to leave a lasting legacy. Tokyo Sexwale was pleasant and friendly, dismissing unsuccessful candidates with his genuine best wishes. Donald Trump looked like he couldn’t wait to send them onto the street.
The final show most epitomised the differences. Whereas the Americans were tasked with running a pop concert and a golf tournament, the South Africans were tasked with assisting a small business to grow. Seeing the candidates trying to impart some of their skills, struggling to bring structure to a business that keeps its finances in the owner’s cupboard at home, was both more entertaining, as well as more heartening.
As a snapshot into their respective societies, they were as far apart as, well, George Bush and Nelson Mandela.
See the Argus article that disagrees 🙂