| The format of the show was licensed to SABC 3 by BBC
Worldwide, the commercial consumer arm of the BBC. BBC Worldwide head
of Africa, South Asia and Middle East Monisha Shah commented, "One
of the most interesting aspects of the format of The Greats
is that it provides so many topics for nation wide discussion: 'What
is greatness?' 'What qualifies one - in this case - as a Great South
African?' It is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's lasting legacy that
South Africa considers him one of its own. We look forward to licensing
a similar programme about Great Indians which will generate similar
interest in India's icons, past and present."
Over the next nine weeks, celebrity 'champions' will try to convince
the public why their candidate should win, in 30-minute documentaries
on SABC 3. Author and journalist Brenda Kali, herself a member of
the Indian community in South Africa, will be Mahatma Gandhi's advocate.
The top ten Great South Africans as voted for by the South African
public includes: Dr Christiaan Barnard, F W De Klerk, Mahatma Gandhi,
Nkosi Johnson; Winnie Madikizela Mandela; Nelson Mandela; Thabo
Mbeki; Gary Player; Jan Smuts and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
BBC Worldwide has also licensed the format of The Greats
to Germany, where more than three million votes were cast and statesman
Konrad Adenauer was voted 'Best German', to Finland and The Netherlands
where the top ten is due to be announced shortly, and to Portugal,
Canada, and Czech Republic and Russia, while negotiations are underway
with broadcasters in many more countries around the world.
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