Soul City Returns to SABC1 after 12 Years as Soul City: Let's Rise - Where's the Media Effort?

by Thinus Ferreira

The edutainment series Soul City is returning to SABC1 after an absence of 12 years, as Soul City: Let's Rise on Sunday 30 August at 19:30 - something the South African public couldn't bother to properly bring to the attention of the media as the latest new show the SABC failed miserably to actually do any PR work for.

On Thursday this week I opened X, previously Twitter, and was very surprised to see a social media entry from a filmmaker not connected to the show, saying Soul City: Let's Rise will start this Sunday on SABC1. 

So the first time I heard about it, as a journalist covering television and the film and TV industry in South Africa, is not from the SABC or its PR or marketing division, but from a random tweet on social media

I emailed SABC publicity specialist Caroline Phalakatshela, who later responded and passed me off to a Bongani Ndlovu at the Soul City Institute to "share a press release and to assist further with regard to the project".

I also went to that place's website and found the email address of an Akona Zibonti, who is listed to be emailed about Soul City: Let's Rise. I sent an email, but he/she never responded.

Then on Facebook after a search, I saw that there was a so-called "media launch event" on Wednesday at The Bioscope in Milpark, Johannesburg. 

It's unclear on who was invited or attended - there's not really a lot of actual coverage of it or who was there, or any substantial reporting that I could find of what was actually said there about Soul City: Let's Rise.

It's looks like yet another example of people spending money to do something, and then speaking into the wind. No Transcript, no recording, no nothing afterwards.

Once again, like the abject PR failure before the start of Amalanga Awafani on SABC1 last year, the SABC did absolutely nothing to reach out beforehand with Soul City: Let's Rise to even just say "this show will be starting on this date" so that media can diarise it and be aware.

There were no "do you possibly want to do any interviews?", "What do you need press-wise?" or to say there would be any media launch, or to organise any in-person or virtual roundtable interviews with execs, the production or cast.

Not once did either the SABC or the Soul City Institute, after spending millions of rands making 13 episodes of a TV show, bother to pick up a phone, to send a Whatsapp message or a voicenote, an SMS or, to email journalists to make sure that the return of this show is on their radar and in their news diaries. 

On Wednesday I started by asking other journalists who also covering film and TV if they have received or heard anything about Soul City: Let's Rise starting on Sunday on SABC1, or if they have reveived a press release or received any form of communication from anybody.

After hearing back from 5 media, I stopped asking further, with all who said they know nothing, heard nothing, got nothing and aren't aware of anything and therefore won't even cover Soul City: Let's Rise.

Surely, whether the work to liaise with media and to actually talk to media, was passed off by the SABC to the Soul City Institute, the SABC PR and marketing division still has a responsibility to check with media whether they are in the loop!

At the least, even if the actual work responsibility of having to deal with media and PR is given to the actual TV show, the SABC PR and marketing division surely must always double-check and at bare minimum, make the real-world effort to reach out and hear and verify if media got press releases, and long before that, actually communicate with journalists!

What lazy, ineptitude and downright callous attitude is this, where you know something is starting on one of your TV channels as a broadcaster in South Africa, but you can't even bother to check whether the media you're supposedly interacting with, are aware of anything? 

What exactly is the coverage that the SABC and the Soul City Institute now want, or think it's going to get in terms of so-called "positive" reporting on Soul City: Let's Rise when the effort that went into actually picking up a phone or doing bare-bones communicating with media covering TV, has been non-existent?

While the first episode of Soul City: Let's Rise was screened in-person to people at the media event for those invited, and who knew that it was happening), absolutely Nothing was done for press who were not invited, who didn't even know there would be an event, or who couldn't attend.

There was no digital screener emailed to interested press (how would the SABC or the institute even know whether media would be interested?) with nobody lifting a finger to reach out and ask "do you want to see the show for coverage and review and interview purposes?".

The absolute zero effort or any trace of knowledge of best practice and how it works when launching a TV show, and what the media need, and how to go about it, is really shocking.

Soul City was on South African television for 21 years. Now it's back and ... where's the buzz or the articles and reporting there should be for Soul City: Let's Rise?

The revived Soul City: Let's Rise apparently follows the lives of five women growing up in the Katlehong township. 

The characters apparently dream of "education, successful careers, love, independence and better lives. But along the way, they encounter relationships and systems in which money, status, gender, culture, faith and influence can be used to limit their choices and exercise power over them".

The new Soul City: Let's Rise cast includes Pule Buys portraying Samke, Lufuno Mdau as Rhulani, Bohlokoa Nkalai as Neo, Asibonge Ntuli as Thando, and Neo Malaka as Siza. 

In a quote taken from the Soul City Institute website, Phinah Kodisang, Soul City Institute CEO, is quoted after the media launch event as having said "After 12 years, Soul City is returning to television at a time when South Africa urgently needs courageous conversations about the realities facing young people, particularly girls and young women, around violence, grooming, vulnerability".

"This is not simply the return of a television series. It is an invitation to South Africans to become part of a movement that believes change is possible when ordinary people choose to act. We want audiences to watch these young women rise and then ask themselves what it means for all of us to rise together against violence, silence and injustice."

Somebody should really tell Phinah Kodisang that there would have been a bigger chance of creating a so-called "movement" with Soul City: Let's Rise if somebody actually properly communicates with the media ,who would cover this show, and who would do coverage on their platforms in synergy with the new programme.

Also quoted is Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC genre manager for education and children.

Jacqui Hlongwane is quoted as saying, "The return of the Soul City franchise is a particularly significant moment for SABC Education".

Sadly, this also feels disingenuous and fake. 

If Soul City: Let's Rise really were "a significant moment", why the lack of effort, the lack of conveying and communicating anything about this show, and the apparent lack of involving the real media in any coverage plans in the weeks beforehand?

Ofentse Thinane, SABC1 channel head, is also quoted, saying, "By bringing these stories to SABC1, we are not only giving audiences compelling entertainment, but creating a platform for dialogue, reflection and awareness. We are especially excited about the opportunity to connect with young audiences and encourage conversations that can extend beyond the television screen and into homes, friendships and communities."

While SABC1 might do lip-service, wanting to try and "connect with young audiences", it definitely didn't "connect" with the media about Soul City: Let's Rise. 

Soul City: Let's Rise is produced by Mindset Concept, with funding from What Works and UK International Development. 

Sadly, I couldn't find anything on the executive producer(s) or directors, or the very basic stuff a show, or the SABC should be sending the media beforehand about the making of it.

ALSO READ: SABC revives Soul City and Soul Buddyz as Shayi’ndlela for SABC+ in 2026 with Lillian Dube set to reprise Sister Bettina role

The SABC's reset of Muvhango on SABC2 with new episodes fails to start on 5 August as promised.

by Thinus Ferreira

After the SABC spent and wasted thousands of rands on buying liquor and hiring a pool venue in Fourways on 25 July to tell the Johannesburg media that Muvhango would restart with a new season on 5 August, SABC2 failed to start showing the new 26th season on Monday without any explanation to the press about why.

The SABC once again wasted a lot of money on an event to tell the media one thing, only for the complete opposite to happen and all that marketing and attempt at PR on 25 July to boomerang in the public broadcaster's face when what it said would happen, failed to happen on Monday and left viewers confused.

After the SABC's contract with Word of Mouth Pictures and Duma Ndlovu ran out after just half a year and 130 episodes for season 25 of Muvhango, filming stopped on 25 June this year after previous Muvhango seasons had 260 episodes - one for every weekday of a year.

The SABC eventually signed a new contract of 260 episodes to bring Muvhango back to SABC2 as a cheaper show with a younger cast for another year and a 26th season, although the SABC confusing keeps labelling it "Muvhango 27" to refer to the duration of years Muvhango has been on television since it started, instead of actual seasons.

The SABC sent no press statement, advisory or explanation to the media about Muvhango's abrupt postponement on Monday, with no reasons why, and chose not to do any pro-actively communication as a follow-up after the massive expense of 25 July's media event to tell the media that Muvhango will suddenly no longer start on Monday 5 August.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, SABC2 on Monday afternoon, suddenly said "Due to the Olympics schedule, Muvhango will start next Monday".

Instead of Olympics coverage, the SABC keeps showing Muvhango repeats.

The SABC also knew since months ago - and from long before its Muvhango event on 25 July - what its 2024 Olympic Games coverage, timeslots and schedules on the SABC's TV channels like SABC2 would be.

It means the SABC now comes across as either lying, or being incompetent in terms of planning programming, for using "Olympics coverage" as a sudden excuse for SABC2's Muvhango no-show. 

The SABC didn't respond to a media query made Tuesday afternoon asking why Muvhango didn't start with season 26 on Monday 5 August as the SABC said would be the case, why the SABC didn't alert the media that Muvhango would no longer start with a new season on Monday night, and what the new date is for when new episodes might now start.

At 25 July's hastily arranged Fourways event Lala Tuku, the SABC's acting group executive for video entertainment, noted that the public broadcaster "had challenges" but managed to sign another contract for Muvhango.

Lala Tuku alluded that financial issues and ratings - the SABC is technically insolvent and  Muvhango has lost millions of viewers over the past decade - are the crux that caused "a tussle" in negotiations around signing Word of Mouth Pictures to bring Muvhango back after the SABC relented and decided it wants to continue the show.

"The reality is that the SABC derives its revenue from advertising. We require audiences to choose to watch our content. The reality is we have brilliant content on our platform and we need our audiences to select it and come in."

Speaking about the decision to bring Muvhango back and to give it another contract after it was effectively cancelled, Lala Tuku said "At the end of the day it was a tussle in the negotiating room around keeping a legacy property which we all believed in. At the end of the day, it is the rands and the cents."

Jacqui Hlongwane, acting SABC2 channel head, said "We respond to what viewers say" and noted that viewer response to Muvhango no longer being on the air pushed the SABC to decide to bring it back. "We are really changing things up in this new season."

ALSO READ: The SABC effectively cancelled SABC2's Muvhango that has run out of episodes with no further contract for Word of Mouth Pictures.

ALSO READ: SABC revives Muvhango for 26th season as cheaper show with new faces.

ALSO READ: SABC resets Muvhango amidst ratings and money woes, adds Leleti Khumalo.

SABC resets Muvhango amidst ratings and money woes, adds Leleti Khumalo.

by Thinus Ferreira

Like it did with Generations the SABC is giving Muvhango on SABC2 a reset after signing a new contract - with new faces including Leleti Khumalo as well as a younger cast, a new logo and intro theme and new storylines - saying it was forced to continue because of viewer reaction after news that the Venda soap was cancelled.

The long-running show that stopped filming new episodes on 15 June, is restarting amidst ratings and money woes for the SABC which realised that it had nothing else in development - and no money - to effectively serve as a placeholder for Muvhango.

After Muvhango's contract with Word of Mouth Pictures ended and filming stopped on 15 June, filming has now restarted for a 26th season, done cheaper, with new episodes that will again be broadcast from 5 August on SABC2.

"We had challenges. But we are here now and we are unveiling a new season," says Lala Tuku, acting group executive of SABC video entertainment, speaking at a hastily arranged media event in Fourways on Thursday night.

"We have no doubt that Muvhango will reach its targets for the slot, wink, wink. We've worked intensely with the team to bring you invigorated stories," she said.

She alluded that financial issues - the SABC is technically insolvent - and ratings - Muvhango has lost millions of viewers over the past decade - are the crux that caused "a tussle" in negotiations around signing Word of Mouth Pictures to bring Muvhango back for another season.

"The reality is that the SABC derives its revenue from advertising. We require audiences to choose to watch our content. The reality is we have brilliant content on our platform and we need our audiences to select it and come in."

Speaking about the decision to bring Muvhango back and to give it another contract after it was effectively cancelled, Tuku said "At the end of the day it was a tussle in the negotiating room around keeping a legacy property which we all believed in, including the SABC board".

"At the end of the day, it is the rands and the cents. The authenticity of the show, the boldness of the storytelling - we just could not do away with it."

Duma Ndlovu, Muvhango creator and executive producer, said "Muvhango has a new logo, we have a new title sequence, we've listened to the young people. We've come back with what we think is a stunning show."

"We decided to bring back some characters who were with Muvhango before and remake them."

Jacqui Hlongwane, acting SABC2 channel head, said "We respond to what viewers say" and noted that viewer response to Muvhango no longer being on the air pushed the SABC to decide to bring it back. "We are really changing things up in this new season."

Veteran actress Leleti Khumalo joins as a new character, playing Dr Nonhlanhla Ximba whose "enigmatic presence as a construction mogul set to disrupt the familiar landscape". 

Lebo Tisane and Wiseman Zitha are two former Muvhango actors who are rejoining the production. Other actors who have made appearances on Muvhango in the past, will return playing new characters.

While it lost several millions of viewers over the past years, Muvhango remained the most-watched show on SABC and the channel's only programme with more than a million viewers nightly. 

In June it drew 1.16 million viewers with the SABC that is adamant that the reset Muvhango should increase both its ratings and audience share.  

The hard reset of Muvhango, whilst keeping "the original DNA" of the show, is similar to what the SABC did in late 2014 when Generations creator Mfundi Vundla got rid of the main cast and did a reset of the show as Generations - The Legacy with a new cast, some older faces who returned, a new intro and logo and cheaper cast contracts.

The SABC told the media interviews would be done with the broadcaster's executives, the show's producers and selected cast members on Thursday night but publicist Caroline Phalakatshela failed to keep to the arrangements.

Thanduxolo Jindela of Kwathole Conexion, Muvhango's PR firm who is paid to communicate with media about the show, didn't respond to any of multiple calls and messages about the show.

ALSO READ: The SABC effectively cancelled SABC2's Muvhango that has run out of episodes with no further contract for Word of Mouth Pictures.

ALSO READ: SABC revives Muvhango for 26th season as cheaper show with new faces.

SABC2 gives third and final season to Xitsonga telenovela Giyani from Tshedza Pictures.

by Thinus Ferreira

SABC2 has commissioned a third and final season of the Xitsonga telenovela Giyani: Land of Blood produced by Tshedza Pictures which will introduce a new family to the cast.

While the first two seasons revolved around themes of land ownership and who the rightful owners are amidst the squabbles of two warring families and a forbidden love story, the third season of Giyani will "embark on the show's final odyssey" according to SABC2.

The third season will bring viewers into "a world that has expanded and changed – the banana plantation has been replaced by the game lodge, which Manoko continues to pillage, while the villagers remain marginalised and living in poverty on their supposed own land".

The third season of Giyani will introduce the Khoza family with Lesley Musina joining the cast as Solani Khoza, a successful lawyer, and the patriarch of the Khoza family. 

Lesley's wife Pele (Bokang Phelane) is an ex-promo-girl turn club manager, while Gigi Ndlovu joins in the role of Dzovo, Solani's son. 

Dzovo is Khensani's new love interest and business partner. Mambeku (Nsuku Baloyi) is the matriarch of the Khoza family. Mixo (Nkateko Mabunda) and Zuri are the two daughters.  Mudau will now be played by Mahlatsi Mokoena.  

"SABC2 is elated to see the return of this layered offering. In an effort of diversifying our drama slate, Giyani remains a strong property on our platforms," says Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC2 head of programming.

"In keeping with our family entertainment proposition, our viewers are immersed in the intriguing storyline that outlines themes which our audiences can identify with."

SABC2's Xitsonga drama series Giyani Land of Blood back for a second season from 1 November, adds Rami Chuene.

by Thinus Ferreira

The second season of the Xitsonga drama series Giyani: Land of Blood will start on SABC2 on Monday 1 November at 21:30.

SABC2 will broadcast three episodes of Giyani: Land of Blood, produced by Tshedza Pictures, weekly from Mondays to Wednesdays.

Earlier this year SABC2 announced that the second season of Giyani: Land of Blood would replace Muvhango on Thursdays and Fridays in its timeslot but for an as-yet-unexplained reason the plan was scuppered.

When the first season of Giyani: Land of Blood ended in November 2019, the community of Risinga was turned upside down with secrets revealed, Richard Mudau exposed as a corrupt traitor, and with Gladys left for dead.

In the second season viewers will see Richard return home after spending time in prison and with no money and no influence, he gets back into business with the hope of turning his life around and away from crime. 

There is a new lady at his side but she could wreak havoc in his family and the community.

"SABC2 is immensely proud to bring the second season of Giyani to viewers in South Africa," says Gerhard Pretorius, SABC2 channel head.

 Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC2 programme manager, says "Building on the success of the first season of Giyani, the second season returns with more drama, intrigue and an action-packed storyline that will have viewers glued to their screens".

"Not only can viewers look forward to seeing their old favourite characters back on their small screens, SABC is delighted to announce that the talented and much-loved Rami Chuene joins season 2 of Giyani; life will never be the same again in Giyani for sure."

Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon of Tshedza Pictures says the production company is "beyond thrilled to revisit the story world of Giyani - Land of Blood and the amazing characters that viewers fell in love with - including new characters who will capture their hearts as the new season is packed with scandal, drama and dangerous escapades that will entertain and enthrall viewers".

The cast of Giyani's second season is Ndivhuho Mutsila who returns as Richard Mudau and Rami Chuene joining the series as Manoko Ledwaba. 

Other cast members include Mathabo Mothibe as Khensani Mudau, Maduva Madima as Shonisani Mudau, Fumani Shilubana as Vukosi Moyo, Wiseman Zitha as Musawahosi Baloyi, Senzo Radebe as Fezile, Elvis Tshepo Nkosi as Mahlatshe Valentino Ledwaba, Glennis Mabuza as Kokwana Chavalala, Obed Baloyi as Hlengani Chavalala, Candy Tsamandebele Mokwena as Diane Homu and Lina Ebony Ngcobo as Tsakani Baloyi.

The second season of The Longest Date on S3 with 16 new contestants are about finding love in unlikely - and dangerous - places.

by Thinus Ferreira

A second season of the original local reality show, The Longest Date starts tonight on S3 at 21:00 after it was recently filmed as a Covid-19 safe so-called "bubble production" with a group of 16 new singles all looking for love in unlikely - and dangerous - places.

The 16 new contestants who were grouped into 8 couples according to their possible compatibility on paper, have to compete in various challenges for the chance at winning the R100 000 cash prize.

The local format show that was created by Samantha and Graeme Moon for SABC3 is being produced by Brandgen Productions and for the second season headed to the scenic Oribi Gorge in KwaZulu-Natal with Christopher Jaftha back as the host.

In every episode of the new season, the couples attempt to complete extreme tasks ranging from shark diving to mud-rallying that are all designed to take them out of their comfort zone, with the lowest-scoring couple that is constantly getting eliminated until there's only one couple left.

Chris Jaftha says "we have something really special on our hands with the second season". "There is a lot we learnt from the first season and for the second season we've upped the stakes and the challenges are more grueling."

"I'm the stuntman of the show, I do some of the pre-viz, your pre-visualisations. While I'm explaining the challenges to the contestants, the audience gets to see what the challenge is supposed to look like. I can tell you for certain, that if I think that I nearly died on one of the challenges ..."

"The safety crew and my producers got a little concerned because in one of the challenges, the river crossings in particular - I'm not going to mention too much about it so we have something to look forward to - I didn't come up for about a minute and people thought I had drowned. Until I eventually came up."

"I was just trying to hold my breath, to be honest to get through the challenge but I have the scars on my neck from the rope burn to prove it. So the show is hard, it's exceptionally hard, it's dangerous."

Samantha Moon says "we have some incredible challenges on The Longest Date - not only do we have the elements but we shot an episode a day which is unheard of to do an episode a day and if we did not have Christopher who is not only the host but also our stuntman who is a one-take wonder and who remained engaged and is the most talented host I've ever worked with, I don't know that we can get it done the way we do".

"He literally does every challenge - every physical challenge we throw at him without a complain and he's kind enough to never renegotiate his rates."

She describes the 16 contestants as "the most diverse, interesting, engaging, vulnerable and relatable cast that is on television today."

"SABC3 took a risk on this original format and they continue to work with us as we push further to showcase this incredible cast - there wasn't any pushback, instead they constantly push us further to show the contestants' journey in the most authentic, natural format possible."

"When you shoot 12 hours a day to film a reality show, the only thing that's scripted is Chris. For the rest - it's their story, it's their journey, we don't create stories in post-production," Samantha says.

"Yes, the second season was filmed in a Covid-19 safe bubble in a beautiful part of KwaZulu-Natal," Samantha explains when TVwithThinus asked how the coronavirus impacted the production of the show.

"Crew and cast tested negative for Covid prior to arriving. All cast were housed in their own housing and so all crew, so we did create a Covid-safe bubble."

"We also are fortunate in that we filmed exclusively outdoors and maintained all protocols to sanitising and mask-wearing. We didn't have any cases of Covid-19 while on-location. Unfortunately, there's been a few in post-production but that is what it is - third wave."

Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC3 acting programme manager, says "what we wanted to improve for the second season was to just make it as representative and as diverse as possible in terms of exploring all kinds of relationships, regardless of sexual orientation. That was really, really big for us."

"The new S3 slogan is 'Open Up' and it's about opening up to new worlds, to new experiences, to new conversations, to new relationships, making yourself vulnerable and putting yourself out there and getting out of the comfort zone."

"The Longest Date is a very unique concept because it's about finding love in an unlikely space where you yourself are being tested to your limits. The Longest Date is pushing the boundaries and having the conversations and representing everybody."

The contestants in the second season of The Longest Date are: 

Julia Peterson

A 29-year-old model and influencer from Durban, whose life ambition is to be wealthy, she is passionate about helping people. Her ideal partner needs to be ambitious, fun and have a great sense of humour. Not be threatened by her but support her and push her to be the best version of herself.

Gareth Joubert

Gareth is 32 years old and a custom leatherwork craftsman from Pretoria. His life ambition is to travel the world with the love of his life. His ideal partner is a smart, beautiful, and independent woman with a strong sense of adventure and a great sense of humour, someone who's willing to stick by him through life and experience all it has to offer.

Rachel Leistra

Rachel is 24 years old, and she is a former South African national long-distance runner, bio kineticist and children's development coach and masters student at the University of Johannesburg Gauteng. 

Her life ambition is to start her own practice one day and focus on children's motor development skills.

Her ideal partner is matured, honest, who has integrity, is independent and respectful, someone who is not afraid to be themselves and who she can be herself around and go on adventures with, train with and have fun with. It is someone who calls her out when she is wrong, a person who loves animals and has empathy and loves nature and the outdoors and who is not afraid to try new things.

Ricardo Potgieter

A 26-year-old entrepreneur and private pilot from Krugersdorp whose life ambition is to travel every continent and have a picnic on each. His ideal partner must be caring and loving.

Lethabo Bereng

Lethabo is 27 years old, and he is a model and actor from Gauteng and recently starred in Netflix's How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding. His life ambition is to live, to feel, process every emotion, feeling and experience and make it part of his DNA. 

His ideal partner is someone who is emphatic and knows that life is meant to be felt, someone who understands that other beings ate not meant to be understood or tamed, but to be loved. He should know that no matter what our gender or expression, building a safer world for queer bodies is a responsibility all of us should share.

Sibusiso Mxosana

A 26-year-old actor, singer and dancer who recently travelled internationally as part of the cast for Chicago. Originally from the Eastern Cape he currently resides in Johannesburg and his life ambition is to be sharing his art with the world. His ideal partner is someone grounded and easy-going, someone who loves to travel.

Kaelin Govender

Kaelin is a 25-year-old sales representative and brand ambassador from Kwa-Zulu Natal. His life ambition is to be free, kind and to be left with no what ifs. His ideal partner is someone with a gorgeous smile, lovely hair, and kind eyes, definitely with a fit body and with great legs.

Melo Moloto

Melo is a24 years old broadcaster from Midvaal whose life ambition is to become a successful broadcaster and winning the lottery. Her ideal partner is someone supportive, tall, driven, does not smoke or have children but would want to have kids one day.

Ekraahm Cassim

A 28-year-old exotic dancer from Cape Town, his life ambition is to achieve success in all areas of his life mentally, spiritually, physically, and materialistically. His ideal partner is someone who is an intellectual, open-minded person and who knows her path, seeking elevation of consciousness, who is fit and strong-willed.

Zinhle Nkosi

She is 28 years old and runs an NGO and lives in Gauteng, but is from Kwa-Zulu Natal. Her life ambition is to become successful and her ideal partner must be at least her height as she is tall, and must be fit and hot. But most importantly he must have a beautiful heart.

Malwandla Hlekane

Malwandla is 26 years old and he is a sportscaster by profession and an educated, qualified sports performance coach from Gauteng. His life ambition is to be a God-fearing millionaire with a monthly personal passive income of $50 000. His ideal partner is a beautiful woman who has an intelligent head on her shoulders.

Sunshine Dlangamandla

The 24-year Sunshine is an architect and travel blogger from Johannesburg whose life ambition is to travel the world and design awe-inspiring modern African architecture. Her ideal partner is someone who is romantic, ambitious, adventurous, God-fearing and tall, someone she is always laughing with.

Angelo Antonie

Angelo is 25 years old, and he is a personal trainer based in Cape Town. His life ambition is to help people achieve mental and fiscal health. His ideal partner must be an intelligent, young, independent individual - someone that is willing to make it work and compromise and someone that is active and loves the outdoors.

Angelique Samuels

She is a 28-year-old fitness Instructor from Gauteng with a life ambition of leaving a legacy. Her ideal partner is someone who is family-oriented, adventurous, an entrepreneur and also romantic.

Fahdil Baker

A 34-year-old full-time law student and call-centre agent from Pretoria. His life ambition is to make his mom proud to call him her son, his sisters proud to call him their brother and one day his husband proud to call him his husband and his kids proud to call him dad.  

His ideal partner must be a genuinely good human being, must care about the environment, social justice issues and the welfare of others.

Tylor Spelman

He is a 31-year-old professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, content creator and entrepreneur from Western Cape. His life ambition is to live life to the fullest, with nothing but happiness. His ideal partner is someone who has a sense of humour, is funny, kind, honest and authentic who is not afraid to speak his mind.

SABC2 and e.tv scrubbing in with new hospital drama series Vutha and Durban Gen.

by Thinus Ferreira

Amidst the global Covid-19 pandemic South Africa's SABC and e.tv are both launching competing new locally-produced hospital dramas with SABC2 that will ventilate Vutha on Thursday nights at 21:30 from 3 September and with e.tv that will resperate Durban Gen from Monday 5 October at 18:30.

Vutha produced by Clive Morris Productions - eerily similar in name to the devastating and fictitious Vutha virus that caused chaos in SABC1's Generations in mid-2019 - as well as Durban Gen produced by Stained Glass TV, marks South African terrestrial television's first return to hospital drama series since SABC2's Hillside, SABC3's Jozi-H and M-Net's Binnelanders.

Both Vutha and Durban Gen have been filming and impacted by the real-world circumstances and changes to life and lockdown of the Covid-19 coronavirus in South Africa. 

Besides production schedule and operational changes, crews working behind-the-scenes at Vutha and Durban Gen suddenly had to don marks just like the on-screen talent after the threat of a real virus became as big a concern as the fictional medical dramas captured on screen.

Vutha, set within the Daveyton community and inside the corridors of the Edward Dondolo Hospital, will go "beyond the world of medicine where there is a world of love, friendship, betrayal, hope, desperation, corruption, greed and crime" according to SABC2 which didn't pre-screen the show ahead of its broadcast debut to TV critics and the media.

Created by TV producer and presenter Ntokozo Mbuli, Vutha stars Kabelo Moalusi as Dr Kgopotso Moabe and Dumisani Mbebe as Mzwakhe Masilela as it explores the journeys of medical professionals within the South African landscape and looks at the challenging lives that form the backdrop of their career successes.

Other cast members include Busisiswa Lurayi as specialist obstetrician Lungile Asumadu, Ayanda Bandla as Anelisa Moabe, Leroy Gopal as Ayitey Asumadu and Siya Raymond Sepotokele as Tumelo. Vutha's cast list also stars Mmarona Motshegoa, Lebohang Motaung, Miranda Ntshangase, Moditle Pholo, Molobane Maja and Sipho Mbele.

Clive Morris Productions describes the Edward Dondolo Hospital as "a furtive breeding ground for colourful characters, high stakes and great drama" with the heroic clinical manager, Dr Kgopotso Moabe, rushes to save a mother giving birth on the pavement outside the hospital.

Matron Mologadi arrives home from the United Kingdom to fix her fractured family and hospital CEO Mzwakhe is terrorised by a loan shark for outstanding debts.

"With a star-studded cast, viewers are in for a real treat and will no doubt emotionally connect with the characters and this intriguing story from the first episode," says Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC2 programme manager.

Durban drama
e.tv's Durban Gen is from the Grey's Anatomy mold, following, like Meredith, the life of the main protagonist Mbali Mthethwa, "a newly qualified doctor who moves to the big city, away from her fiancé and the small town they grew up in, to serve her final year of community service".

Durban Gen is filmed in Durban and set in the Durban township of Newlands East and the corridors of the Durban General academic public hospital.

It's here where Mbali, played by Nelisiwe Sibiya, soon finds herself in a love triangle between her fiancé Sbusiso Dlamini (Ntando Mncube) and her boss Dr Lindelani Zulu (Mike Ndlangamandla), described as "a brilliant, attractive surgeon with whom she has undeniable chemistry".

On her arrival at Durban General Hospital, Mbali assists in a surgery that goes horribly wrong and that leads to the death of a politician.

That plummets the hospital, Mbali, and Dr Lindelani Zulu into the middle of an investigation that threatens to derail her career.

The Durban Gen cast includes Meshack Mavuso as Dr Thabo Dlamini and Durban Gen's head of surgery, and Duduzile Ngcobo, who as Dr Nomalanga Qwabe.

According to e.tv Durban Gen "follows the trials, tribulations, triumphs, betrayals and bonds experienced by Mbali, the staff of Durban General, and the patients who come through its doors looking for help, refuge, and health".

"KwaZulu-Natal has progressively become the quintessential pulse of local productions, not only from a storyline perspective but for its ability to provide fertile soil from which to grow and build new talent," says Helga Palmer, e.tv's new head of local productions.

SABC2 adds Brazilian telenovela Side by Side.

by Thinus Ferreira

SABC2 has added a new Brazilian telenovela to its schedule with Side by Side (Lado A Lado) that is now shown on Mondays and Tuesdays at 13:30 since June with a repeat on Saturday nights from 22:30.

The Portuguese Side By Side dubbed into English was produced in 2012 with 105 episodes and was shown previously in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa on the M-Net Series channel on DStv in 2015.

Side by Side that was voted Best Telenovela at the International Emmy Awards in 2013 tells the story of two women, Isabel (Camila Pitanga) and Laura (Marjorie Estiano), from different origins and social classes who "share the same ferocious will, to conquer their freedom in the conservative society in early 20th century’s society".

The idealistic and brave Isabel is the maid of a French lady who taught her "European language and manners" and who was raised by her father, the former slave Afonso (Milton Gonçalves).

In a samba gathering, she meets Zé Maria (Lazaro Ramos), a hard-working man who hides a secret: he is a capoeira player, an illegal martial art he hopes to see recognized.

Laura (Marjorie Estiano) is the daughter of former coffee barons Assunção (Werner Schünemann)

and Constância (Patrícia Pillar), but luxury and wealth does not impress her. Having her degree in education, she finds fulfilment in teaching.

Her mother is resistant to her revolutionary ways and puts all hope in Laura’s engagement to Edgar (Thiago Fragoso) as a means to ascend socially.

"With detailed scenography of old Rio, influenced by the Belle Époque, Side By Side puts different worlds side by side: luxury and simplicity; progress and prejudice."

Side by Side is distributed by Côte Ouest.

SABC2 says that "this is a theme that resonates perfectly among people between 20 and 40 not only in 21st century's South Africa but in many other countries on our continent."

"SABC2 values the partnership it has with Côte Ouest and is excited to be bringing this multi-award-winning telenovela to South African audiences," says Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC2 programme manager.

"Even though the story is set at the beginning of the 20th century, the themes explored in Side by Side are universal and still ring true to this day; themes such as sexism, the emancipation of women, prejudice, friendship, love, social and cultural divisions."

"The introduction of Lado a Lado will breathe new life into daytime viewing and the show will leave audiences enthralled and inspired."

Daddy-issues will surface in SABC2's new Sesotho telenovela Lithapo in January 2020 with newcomer Khojane Morai alongside veterans Joyce Skefu and Mangaliso Ngema.

by Thinus Ferreira

SABC2's new Sesotho telenovela, Lithapo starting in January 2020 will bring some new on-screen talent to TV screens in a story that will cast a spotlight on "daddy-issues" and oscillate between the rich-poor worlds of Sandton and Alexandra in Johannesburg.

Produced by Quizzical Pictures and with filming that started in early-October on location in QwaQwa and continuing in Johannesburg, Lithapo, will bring a story to free-to-air viewers that shares several similarities with M-Net's Impilo that was produced for Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and its pay-TV audience in 2019.

Lithapo will start on Monday 13 January 2020 on SABC2 with three episodes per week from Mondays to Wednedays.

In Lithapo - meaning "ties that bind" - Lehlohononolo or "Nolo" for short (played by newcomer Khojane Morai) decides to leave QwaQwa after his mother dies suddenly.

He sets out to try and find the father he never knew and to claim his father's name, but finding his dad is a difficult task.

Nolo settles in Alex and quickly gets caught up in the dog-eat-dog world of a township that is on fire with protests and despair. Meanwhile, in the adjacent, wealthy Sandton lives the Hlongwane family whose lives are the opposite of Nolo's although their destinies are intertwined.

A love triangle develops when Nolo falls in love with Pabi (Katlego Nakedi) although their relationship is thwarted from the start as Nolo gradually discovers that his life has been a lie.

The Lithapo cast includes Joyce Skefu (Moipone), Seputla Sebogodi (Kabe), Mangaliso Ngema (Senzo) and Sthandiwe Kgoroge (Thandiwe), alongside Israel Zulu, Angela Sithole, Sibongile Nojila, Clementine Mosimane and Lebohang Msiza as Nkosana.

"SABC 2 is excited to welcome a brand new Sesotho telenovela aimed at captivating the audiences with authentic, local storytelling capturing the spirit of both our traditional rural communities in and the buzz of kasi life," says Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC2 programme manager.

"Viewers can look forward to seeing the difference of both the streets of QwaQwa and Sandton through the lens of an enchanting story."

"We are also excited that Quizzical Pictures gathered a strong cast and talent second to none. As SABC2 we also continue to keep our promise of bringing our audience more gripping drama in the 21:30 timeslot and we hope that Lithapo will deliver to both ours and the viewer’s expectations."

Siphiwe Hlabangane, Quizzical Pictures producer, says that "Telling a Sesotho story in a saturated telenovela market, we chose to tackle issues around class, sexuality, land and race head-on in the hopes that audiences would find the issues relevant, and the show entertaining, especially across the magnificent backdrop that is QwaQwa".

"From the very beginning of the writing process, we knew that something special was brewing and that this project would task us with the responsibility of enthralling, amusing, educating and entertaining our audience, all of which the script delivered."

Yvonne Chaka Chaka as Gladys to headline SABC2's Giyani - Land of Blood, as an evil matriarch in the first Xitonga drama series filled with forbidden passion, rivalries and corruption.

In the ongoing war for viewers on South African television, the casting of Yvonne Chaka Chaka in her first dramatic TV role as an evil matriarch in SABC2 and the SABC's first Zitsonga drama series, Giyani - Land of Blood, follows the latest South African TV trend of giving roles to veteran female personalities to headline soapy prime time dramas.

Similar to Leleti Khumalo who headlined Uzalo on SABC1 as MaNzuza and e.tv's Imbewu - The Seed with matriarch MaNdlovu, played by Thembi Mtshali-Jones (and with Leleti Khumalo who jumped to that show as MaZulu), Yvonne Chaka Chaka hopes to thrill viewers with her portrayal of the evil and scheming matriarch Gladys.

Similar to Uzalo and Imbewu - and going up directly against e.tv's Imbewu in the 21:30 timeslot Mondays to Wednesdays from 1 April, Giyani will revolve around the ongoing conflict between two families locked in a decades-long battle, this time over a piece of fertile land and the banana plantation built on it.

Giyani - Land of Blood is produced by Tshedza Pictures, also responsible for M-Net's The River on 1Magic (DStv 103) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

According to the producers, Giyani - Land of Blood will "brings to life the ageless themes of love rivalries, forbidden passion, stolen land, and corruption".

Giyani is centred around the conflict between the Mudau and Baloyi families, set in the fictional village of Risinga.

The first episode will open with a celebration of land returned to the community as a result of a successful land restitution claim with the land returned by the Van Reenen family who had built their considerable wealth through the banana plantation.

The South African farm in Limpopo, reclaimed by the community, is renamed Tiakeni, a Xitsonga phrase meaning "build yourselves".

The Giyani cast includes Linah Ebony Ngcobo, Obed Baloyi, Charles Baloyi, Candy "Tsa Mandebele" Mokwena and Ndivhuho Mutsila, with the theme song that is composed and performed by Thomas Chauke and the Shinyori Sisters, pioneers of Tsonga music.

The show is filmed partly on-location in the Limpopo province and on-set in Johannesburg.

"In our effort to deliver on the public service and language mandate as well as introduce fresh and landmark content, SABC2 is delighted to bring to the South African public, Giyani - Land of Blood, the first ever Xitsonga drama and telenovela," says Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC2 programme manager.

"For the better part of their careers, they have had to act and perform in roles and languages other than their own in order to make a living. Giyani - Land of Blood has now given them this rightful opportunity."

"Equally, Xitsonga viewers who have had to watch dramas in other languages will now have their own drama series for the first time, celebrating and affirming their rich culture, tradition, identity, stories, music and heritage," says Jacqui Hlongwane.