The event was an offshoot of a national Savanna campaign to see who's got apples. Dodgy Uncle Rodgy and #HouseofFlava presenter each backed their handpicked contestant to show who had the apples to fast track their entry as one of the 10 finalists to compete at the Grande Finale on 19 November. The competition, which is still open to the public, is to win a million buck trip for them and three friends to the Big Apple.
Until now, ‘mobile’ radio banter campaigns have only ever been broadcast from a popup radio booth powered by a fixed line. Savanna brought in RadioHeads, a programming and content marketing integrations strategies company, which had the technology for these radio DJs to go wireless. Inputs and monitoring were delivered by high quality wireless mics and in-ear monitoring for the presenters and show producers to communicate over the length and breadth of Jozi, whatever happened.
Lesedi Motloung (22), from Soweto, was chosen by MetroFM to take on the challenge. He believed he had the apples to kill 102 push-ups in six minutes. He showed signs of struggle at around number 60, but his muscles bulged through his superman outfit, as he finished off his 102 push-ups at a speedy four minutes.
Drummond Irvine-Fortescue (26), from Midrand, fancied lathering himself in syrup, putting on a yellow tutu skirt, pouring chicken feathers and flour all over himself and walking through the traffic. With a cage fighter look fixed firmly on his face and a Savanna in his hand, he was smothered in syrup and well feathered. Spurred on by his sisters via a Facebook Live feed, unlucky viewers even got to witness a downward chicken pose.
Other than performing a South African first in radio broadcasting, when the contestants reached the inevitable stalemate, Roger Goode and Mo Flava both had to take one for their teams. Until that moment, they had no clue what they needed the apples for, and you could tell they were a little nervous when they consulted one of the adjudicators about what revenge their listeners had chosen for all the mischief they had caused on air. Both teams had the same Savanna competition puzzle they needed to complete in order to avoid an apple pie in the face. It was a tight race to the end, and both radio DJs and their contestants seemed rather challenged.
Only seconds and one puzzle piece apart, Mo Flava and Lesedi of Metro FM finished off their puzzle first, smirking at the prospect of throwing apple pie in their opponent’s face. To be fair, Roger and Drummond took the pies in the face like true men with apples, too.
Entries are still open until 31 October 2016 to stand a chance to win a trip to the Big Apple for you and three friends. Purchase any 330ml or 500ml of Savanna Dry, Savanna Light or Savanna Dark, dial *120*1538#, enter the unique code found in the cap underliner and follow the prompts to automatically be entered into the competition draw.
