Exclusive MTV Special Brings African Youth Face To Face With Visionary Technologist, Business Leader, & Philanthropist
Johannesburg/Lagos, 21 July 2016: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa is excited to reveal that Bill Gates is to appear on a special episode of “MTV Base Meets…”
The US entrepreneur and philanthropist will make a special TV appearance in MTV Base Meets Bill Gates, discussing his views on the future of African technology, innovation and development with a group of African youth.
Produced by MTV Base (Africa), the show will seat Bill Gates alongside a panel of leading African tech entrepreneurs, innovators and social investors aged between 21-27. Making valuable contributions in the energy, employment, health, environment and education sectors, the panellists comprise George Mtemahanji (23) from Tanzania, Nigeria’s Chris Kwekowe (23), Brian Gitta (24) from Uganda, Thato Kgathlanye (23) and Siya Xuza from South Africa (27) and Martha Njeri Chumo (21) from Kenya.
MTV Base Meets Bill Gates was recorded at artSPACE, in Durban, South Africa during Bill Gates’ visit to the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) in July. The show will subsequently air across Africa on MTV Base (SA) on 5 August 2016 at 17:30 CAT, on MTV Base (ROA) on 5 August 2016 at 18:30 WAT, and on MTV on 13 August at 20:00 CAT.
A long-standing franchise of MTV internationally, the African iteration of “MTV Base Meets…” connects opinion formers and thought leaders with African youth by creating an intimate forum in which young people can pose candid questions about issues affecting their lives and futures.
Bill Gates‘ connection with Africa stretches back to 1993, during a visit to Tanzania with Melinda. During the trip, the couple began discussing how they could use their wealth to give back to the world in an impactful way. He has subsequently been involved in development initiatives across Africa, most notably through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2008, Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft to focus on his work as co-chair of the foundation. As co-chair, he works with Melinda to shape and approve grant making strategies, advocate for the foundation’s issues, and help set the overall direction of the organization.
Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, ‘African youth are amazingly entrepreneurial, creative and committed to contributing to a positive future for the continent. We are delighted to create this platform for them to access and interact with Bill Gates, one of the world’s most visionary businessmen and philanthropists and to learn from his insights and experience.”
Previous participants in the MTV Base Meets series have included FLOTUS Michelle Obama, Winnie Mandela, musicians Alicia Keys, Akon and Hugh Masekela, Sir Richard Branson, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, businessman and entrepreneur Aliko Dangote, and many more.
For more information on MTV Base Meets Bill Gates, please go to www.mtvbase.com or www.mtv.co.za, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MTVza or www.Facebook.com/MTVBaseVerified and chat with us on Twitter @mtvza or @MTVBaseAfrica, using the hashtag #MTVMeetsBillGates.
About Bill Gates
Bill Gates is co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Along with co-chair Melinda Gates, he shapes and approves grant-making strategies, advocates for the foundation’s issues, and helps set the overall direction of the organization.
Bill and Melinda Gates work together to expand opportunity to the world’s most disadvantaged people by collaborating with grantees and partners. They also participate in national and international events and travel extensively to focus attention on the issues the foundation champions.
Gates began his major philanthropic efforts in 1994, when he created the William H. Gates Foundation, which focused on global health. Three years later, he and Melinda created the Gates Library Foundation, which worked to bring public access computers with Internet connections to libraries in the United States. Its name changed to the Gates Learning Foundation in 1999 to reflect its focus on ensuring that low-income minority students are prepared for college and have the means to attend. In 2000, to increase efficiency and communication, the two groups merged into the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
In 1975, Gates left Harvard University in his junior year to focus on Microsoft, the company he founded with his childhood friend Paul Allen. As chief software architect and chairman, Gates led the company to become the worldwide leader in business and personal software, services, and solutions. In July 2008, Gates transitioned into a new role as chairman of Microsoft and advisor on some key development projects. (See Microsoft’s web site for more information on his work with the company.)
Gates also founded Corbis, which is developing a comprehensive digital archive of art and photography from public and private collections around the globe. He is a member of the board of directors of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Gates grew up in Seattle with his two sisters. His father, William H. Gates Sr., is a co-chair of the foundation and a retired attorney. His late mother, Mary Gates, was a schoolteacher, University of Washington regent, and chairwoman of United Way International. The Gateses have three children.
About VIMN Africa
Multimedia entertainment powerhouse VIMN Africa offers the most comprehensive international broadcast portfolio on the African continent, engaging with more than 100 million viewers across 52 territories in Africa via well-known entertainment brands such as MTV, MTV Base, Comedy Central, BET, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., NickToons & VH1. The company’s dynamic digital and social media portfolio includes the mobile friendly websites www.mtvbase.com; www.mtv.co.za; www.comedycentralafrica.com; www.nickelodeonafrica.com; www.Betafrica.tv and affiliated social media accounts. The company’s collective digital footprint incorporates 2.5 million page views per month, 3 million engagements monthly and a reach of over 53 million. The company’s African business interests include content production and distribution, spot sales, 360 degree sponsorships, events, mobile, digital and consumer products. VIMN Africa is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all platforms.