Thinus Ferreira
The South African public broadcaster is reviving the long-running 1990s edutainment series Soul City and Soul Buddyz as Shayi'ndlela that will be made available exclusively - at least at first - on its SABC+ video streaming service with Lillian Dube (80) who will reprise her role as Sister Bettina.
Shayi'ndlela, that means "Turn the tide" is done by the Soul City Institute which was responsible for Soul City and Soul Buddyz.
The new TV production is funded by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office under the What Works to Prevent Violence: Impact at Scale (What Works II) programme.
Shayi'ndlela has an initial 13-episode order and will launch on SABC+ in 2026. The new episodes will interweave themes ranging from gender and power to violence among young people.
Soul City, fronted by the iconic Lillian Dube, made its debut on SABC1 in 1994 and ran for 12 seasons, with Soul Buddyz that followed in 2000.
Lillian Dube will once again appear as Sister Bettina in Shayi'ndlela. Before Shayi'ndlela's debut, the old Soul City and Soul Buddyz are made available on SABC+.
"This is more than just a return to edutainment for Soul City, it’s the beginning of a movement to shift the culture of violence in South Africa," says Phinah Kodisang, Soul City Institute CEO.
"This initiative will challenge harmful gender norms, support parents, empower girls through Rise Clubs and work with boys to build a safer, more just society for all. We are proud to be part of a global movement rooted in evidence, activism and the belief that change is possible."
Shayi'ndlela will address "intimate partner violence" as part of gender-based violence and will incorporate social media within the 13-episode series a lot as a narrative device.
Anne Gathumbi, managing director of the What Works to Prevent Violence: Impact at Scale programme, says "What Works II is a UK flagship global programme aimed at ending violence against women and girls".
"We are proud to partner with Soul City, enabling the delivery of this innovative project. Soul City is a key partner in generating the evidence we need to build a violence-free future for women and girls and we look forward to continuing this important work together."
"With the generous support of the FCDO through the What Works II Programme, we are able to bring Shayi’ndlela to life not just on screen, but in classrooms, communities and homes."
"This initiative will challenge harmful gender norms, support parents, empower girls through Rise Clubs, and work with boys to build a safer, more just society for all."
