Draft:Help 'n Dorp

Help ‘n Dorp (TV Series)

Help ‘n Dorp is a South African reality TV series broadcast on kykNET since 2023, and presented by Leah van Niekerk. Season 2 began airing in April 2024. It is a sister program to Dankie Lottoland. Season 3 will begin airing in November 2024.

Format

Help ‘n Dorp is a charity reality TV series. The presenter, Leah van Niekerk, meets with community leaders to discuss their plans and hopes for their communities. Community leaders are presented with a donation from sponsor Lottoland.

The show returns after six weeks to see how the donation has been used and what progress has been made. Each episode tells the story of one town. At the end of the season, there is a special episode returning to towns to see how the projects have benefitted them.

Projects

Community leaders submit potential projects through an online form. Successful project bids are awarded a budget of up to 500,000 ZAR. Lottoland seeks projects that “can help benefit a variety of sectors be it education, community, sustainability, tourism” and others that have the potential to improve life in the community.

Eligible projects include:

• Library
• Learning center
• Sports facilities
• Renewable energy investment
• Restoring historic buildings
• Tourist activities
• Improving existing community facilities

Episodes

Season 1

No.	Title
01	"Hofmeyr"
The landfill at the town’s entrance was renovated and cleaned up, with colourful murals brought to life across town.
02	"Oudtshoorn"
Residents renovated and beautified the entrance to the Cango Caves, a popular tourist attraction.
03	"Willowmore"
The community centre was restored, and renovations were also made at a local recycling centre by the residents.
04	"Victoria-West"
The legendary Apollo Theatre was restored and refurbished, breathing new life into the town’s iconic landmark.
05	"Beaufort-West"
Residents renovated the building and railway in Voëltjie Park, planted new vegetation, and restored this central park for public use once again.
06	"Philippolis"
Residents undertook various projects in the town in preparation for Philippolis's 200th anniversary celebration, including repairing roads, trimming trees, and equipping the local primary school.
07	"Senekal"
The dilapidated municipal swimming pool has been restored and transformed into a space that can once again serve the community.
08	"Cradock"
Public gardens was created and murals erected throughout town.
09	"Kroonstad"
Several entrances to the town have been renovated and enhanced with murals.
10	"Clanwilliam"
Residents made renovations at the Ramskop Nature Garden by upgrading the buildings and installing irrigation and signage.
11	"Bloemfontein"
In Bloemfontein, the Kings and Rose Park and Loch Logan Island was restored to their former glory.
12	"Vredendal"
A dilapidated and empty fountain on the main street has been restored and beautified with mosaic, brickwork, plants, and an elephant statue.
13	"Deben"
Residents renovated the community hall, installed street names and warning signs, graded dirt roads, painted new lane markings, beautified the entrance, and created a welcome sign.

Season 2

No.	Title
01	"Prince Alfred’s Hamlet"
The community forum renovated the local cricket fields, secured the sports facilities, and transformed a dilapidated square into a netball court.
02	"Citrusdal"
A dilapidated and overgrown park has been transformed into a beautiful space featuring an outdoor gym, various play areas for children of all ages, landscaped grounds, and a bridge connecting the two parks.
03	"Nieuwoudtville"
Residents made renovations at the local church, set up a covered area and picnic spot for tourists, enhanced the entrance, and installed new street signs.
04	"Brandvlei"
A building has been transformed and expanded into a soup kitchen and preschool for the local community
05	"Vosburg"
Residents beautified the local preschool, established a nursery at the primary school, installed new street signs, planted native trees throughout the town, and managed an invasive forest threatening the water source.
06	"Williston"
The local museum has been renovated and restored, the youth brigade was equipped with new gear and additional instruments, and the church clock has been repaired.
07	"Vaalwater"
The dilapidated tennis courts was renovated and restored, making them usable for the community once again.
08	"Vrede"
Residents cleaned up the local landfill, beautified the entrances to the town, and repaired roads and buildings.
08	"Cradock"
Public gardens was created and murals erected throughout town.
09	"Elim"
Residents undertook various projects in the town in preparation for Elim’s 200th anniversary celebration. They carried out repairs at the church and replaced the roof of the community hall.
10	"Magaliesburg"
The main street, entrance, and façade of the community centre was renovated and beautified.
11	"Fouriesburg"
Residents restored the local cemetery, enhanced the entrance, cleaned up the plots, installed waste bins, and put up street signs.
12	"Lady Grey"
The areas surrounding the Lady Grey Dam have been beautifully revitalized and made accessible to the public once again. Viewpoints have been enhanced for safety, the road to the dam has been improved, a new parking area has been constructed, a picnic spot has been established, and a series of renovations and cleanup efforts have been undertaken to enhance the overall experience around the dam.
13	"Special episode"
The team revisited three towns that were part of Lottoland Help 'n Dorp, witnessing the impact Lottoland has had and seeing how the projects are progressing 6 months later.