The Intern by David Tlale is a South African fashion designer reality competition television series filmed in Johannesburg which follows 12 aspiring fashion designer contestants as they compete to become David Tlale's next Assistant Designer.
The competition was open to both skilled/self-taught designers with a minimum of 3 years' experience, and fashion design graduates.
In each episode, contestants are given a fashion design challenge and are judged based on creativity, originality, understanding of the brief and excellence in execution.
They are also exposed to all facets of the David Tlale brand and business, including design, fabric sourcing, range development and production, quality control, marketing and retail, media training and basic business management skills.
The series is presented by Nico Panagio.
The Intern by David Tlale is produced by FP&M SETA, with executive producers Charles Watson, Sunay Grant and David Tlale. The directors are Charles Watson and Buddy Gaylard.
Winner
Kuena Moshoeshoe (Original)
Keletso Moraba (Replaced Kuena)
Controversy
Once the season ended, controversy broke out between the winner Kuena Moshoeshoe and David Tlale. The two were involved in a public spat after Kuena went public about not receiving her prizes. Tlale was quoted as saying that Moshoeshoe hadn't received her prizes because she didn't have a work permit to work in South Africa.
Tlale went on to revoke Moshoeshoe's win and the show's runner-up Keletso Moraba was named the winner instead.