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I can break the news that SABC1 (that already did a controversial reality show with him) is again in business with the rap artist Hip Hop Pantsula (known as HHP and Jabba and who's real name is Jabulani Tsambo) - this time giving him his own half hour TV comedy entitled Jabba Time. Jabba Time has a premise not very unlike The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in which HHP plays a fish-out-of-water, rags-to-riches character moving from poverty in Mafikeng to a Johannesburg mansion.
I can tell you that Jabba Time with HHP in the lead role has started filming at Sasani Studios in Johannesburg and is being produced by Rous House Productions.
Just like rap artist Will Smith who moved to Bel-Air in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, HHP will play a character called Jabba that's a car mechanic and an aspiring rap artist in ''Maf-town'' Mafikeng. Jabba's long-lost uncle dies of cancer and he moves to Johannesburg after he inherits a fortune and a massive mansion to live in. He gets a 15 year old niece, Sisi, that he has to care of and look after and also bring his aged grandmother with him as well as his wisecracking friend Soloman with him to share in his newfound wealth and upscale surroundings.
Jabba Time follows exactly a year after HHP and SABC1's first TV collaboration entitled Respect, a production that became controversial quickly after a producer complained that HHP and SABC1 ''stole'' the idea from him. Respect that had a rocky start with SABC1 that pushed out the starting date and episodes being broadcast haphazardly (most probably due to the legal entanglements behind the scenes) has now obviously made way for a new HHP TV vehicle for the rap star.