Season 5
A major change to the show this season came in the form of 10 couples who competed over 10 weeks - in past seasons eight couples competed over eight weeks.
The 10 celebrity couples lining up for the 5th season of SABC2's Strictly Come Dancing were announced on Wednesday 17 September, 2008.
The celeb talent included an infamous comedian/actor, two well-known radio DJs, a racing car driver, an Afro-jazz pop-diva, an ex-Miss South Africa, a popular soapie star, a showjumping champion/model, a member/creator of a popular hip hop group and an ex-Gladiator.
They were:
Adil More
The voice of Metro FM's Top 40 Chart Show
Anele Mdoda
Co-presenter of the Grant & Anele show on 5FM
Cindy Nell
Ex-Miss South Africa, well-known model, entertainment personality and presenter of SABC2's Pasella
Garth Collins
Best known as Granite from the popular Gladiators TV series, TV/theatre/film actor, comedian and MC
Hlubi Mboya
One of local TV's rising young stars
Gugu Zulu
Affectionately known as “the fastest brother in Africa”, local motor racing champion and TV presenter
Judith Sephuma
Multiple SAMA-Award winning and respected local Afro-jazz pop artist
Lebo “Shugasmakx” Mothibe
Co-founder of iconic local hip hop brand Skwatta Kamp, and director of Buttabing Entertainment and Ventilation Production
Tessa van Duuren
Professional A-grade show jumper, model and TV presenter
Rob van Vuuren
Acclaimed dramatic actor and comedian, presenter of SABC2's Crazy Games and infamous for his role as Twakkie in The Most Amazing Show
There were also seven new professional dancers who had never appeared on the show before, while three old stalwarts - Brandon Eilers Le Riche, Hayley Bennett and Mary Martin - returned for the fifth season.
The 5th season of Strictly Come Dancing aired on SABC2 every Thursday (from 2 October to 4 December) from 19h30 to 20h30, with an hour-long break to allow viewer voting. It resumed each week with the Results Show at 21h30.
The first part (19h30-20h30) was where the contestants showed off their various dancing talents to gain votes from public and judges; the second part (21h30-22h00) was when the results were revealed and a couple was eliminated.
Preceding the season premiere was the Strictly Come Dancing Special, which aired on Thursday 25 September at 19h30. The special chronicled the history of the show.
The winning celebrity/professional dancer couple - Rob van Vuuren and Mary Martin - were crowned on the show's season finale on 4 December.
The same judges returned to filter the wannabes from the real stars of the dancefloor. They were:
Lilian Phororo – she has over thirty years experience in dance and has become an internationally recognized adjudicator.
Dave Campbell – he began his career as a teenager and went on to become the four-time undefeated Latin and Ballroom professional champion.
Salome Sechele - Latin American champion, who has mastered a variety of dance styles. She represented South Africa with long-time partner Tyrone Watkins in Hong Kong, Miami, Switzerland, Netherlands, Russia, UK, Germany and France.
Tyrone Watkins - three-time Latin and Ballroom champion and choreographer. He has also attained qualifications as an international adjudicator.
The 5th season ran for 10 weeks; it was shot live from The Carlton Hotel Ballroom in Johannesburg with hosts Ian von Memerty and Sandy Ngema. Strictly Come Dancing is produced by Kee-Leen Irvine of Rapid Blue.
Order of Elimination
Episode 01: No elimination
Episode 02: No elimination
Episode 03: Shugasmakx and Seipati Nthoesane
Episode 04: Judith Sephuma and Eksteen Traut
Episode 05: Adil More and Robynn Soules
Episode 06: Hlubi Mboya and Khutso Khunou
Episode 07: Gugu Zulu and Sarah Cooper
Episode 08: No elimination
Episode 09: Garth Collins and Hayley Bennett; Anele Mdoda and Brandon Eilers Le Riche
Episode 10: Cindy Nell and Jonathan Broadway; Tessa van Duuren and Grant Esterhuizen
Celeb Blogs
TVSA was the official online media partner to Strictly Come Dancing 5 and hosted the official celebrity blogs for the season.
Each week the celebrity contestants blogged about their experiences on the show, from their last performance to their weekly rehearsals to their thoughts about the upcoming episodes.
Weekly blog entries were posted on TVSA every Tuesday.
Access their blogs here:
Adil
Anele
Cindy
Garth
Gugu
Hlubi
Judith
Shugasmakx
Rob
Tessa
Related Articles
Pre-Show
SCD 5 Celebs Announced!
Strictly Come Dancing 5 Preview
TVSA Official Partner To SCD 5!
Episode 1
SCD 5 Warms Up With Waltzes (Gallery!)
Strictly Come Tease!
Episode 2
Late SCD Live Blog
The Girls Take To The Floor
Episode 3
Episode 3 Live Blog
Shugasmakx Is The First Casualty
Shuga is Smaxxd outta the contest
Episode 4
Episode 4 Live Blog
Judith Hits The Wrong Note
Episode 5
Adil Tunes Out
Episode 6
Fans Save Gugu, Abandon Hlubi
Episode 7
Gugu Crashes And Burns
Episode 8
Garth Weighs Out
Computer Error Saves Garth & Hayley
Episode 9
Garth And Anele's Last Dance
Episode 10
Twakkie Gets Lucky
Twakkie Thwacks Tessa For The SCD Title