Sanda gets crack at top leader title

Sanda Ncama, 23, a final-year music education student at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), is one of six contestants on SABC 1's One Day Leader. Its aim is to expose contestants to the kinds of challenges and difficulties with which leaders are regularly faced.

Over the next 12 weeks, viewers will see the contenders take on challenges and debating leadership skills in the second season of the show, which airs on Sundays at 6.30pm.

They tackle modern day social, economic and political issues to compete for the title of "One Day Leader". They also get to talk about which great South African leaders they admire.

Ncama, of King William's Town, said being chosen for the show was "overwhelming".

"I am moving from a university platform to being on a universal platform through this show. I see it as an institution – that I am here to learn. I am thankful to God. His grace has put me here."

Ncama's leadership roles include being the ambassador for student housing at NMMU this year and Unitas residence head.

It housed 328 senior students last year.

He is also actively involved in community work and has helped with a food donation drive for the Sihlangule Children's Home in Motherwell as part of the residence's outreach programme.

The other contestants are Ndumiso Hadebe, 21, of Vereeniging; Seadimo Tlale, 19, of Welkom; Anele Nzimande, 19, of Durban; Mukovhe Masutha, 24, of Venda, and Bongekile Radebe, 22, of Randfontein.

The show's judges are empowerment group Shanduka chief executive officer Phuti Mahanyele and Shaka Sisulu, founder of youth-orientated community service platform Cheesekids and chief executive officer of Shaka Sisulu's Publications.

In studio, candidates debate topics with each other and are interrogated by the judges.

They will be evaluated on One Day Leader's six pillars – willingness, vision, attitude, influence, action, and accountability, the show's producers say.

Viewers get to vote, via SMS, during each episode.

Ncama will return to university in the second semester.