MTV Base meets Bill Gates

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.

The show will seat Bill Gates alongside a panel of leading African tech entrepreneurs, innovators and social investors aged 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.