M-Net adds weekly music-infused Mzansi Wethu talker The Ones with TBose from Thabo Mokwele's T-Bose Productions and Jazzworx

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net has commissioned a new weekly talk show, The Ones with TBose, for its Mzansi Wethu (DStv 163) channel which will be fronted and produced by Thabo Mokwele and his T-Bose Productions.

Set to start broadcasting on Mzansi Wethu on Sunday 30 March at 18:00, the in-studio weekly talker is a co-production between his T-Bose Productions and Jazzworx.

In The Ones with TBose, Thabo Mokwele, known as "TBose", will "delve into the lives and stories of influential figures across a broad spectrum of industries - from arts and entertainment to politics, lifestyle and beyond".

Guests across the 13 episodes will include John Kani, Thandiswa Mazwai, Trevor Noah, Black Coffee, Zakes Bantwini and others. 

Music will be heavily incorporated into the talk show as a narrative device to help explore and explain the guest of the week's personal story.

According to Mzansi Wethu "The Ones with TBose is not just a talk show - it's a celebration of key moments, milestones and people who have had a lasting impact on Mzansi and the world," the channel says.

"From the one song that defined a generation to the one idea that sparked a movement, this show highlights the power of a single individual, thought or moment that led to greatness."

Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, says "The Ones with TBose taps into the heartbeat of South Africa's dynamic society, aiming to showcase the journey that propelled these individuals to success".

"This is sure to be a breath of fresh air for our viewers and we are looking forward to the stories offering both entertainment and insightful content."

M-Net beefs up the local South African and African content on its Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Wethu channels on MultiChoice's DStv from 1 June.

M-Net's Mzansi Bioskop (DStv 164) and Mzansi Wethu (DStv 164) channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform a revamp from tomorrow, 1 June.

Mzansi Bioskop, launched in 2013, will now become "the home of original African storytelling" (MultiChoice and M-Net already package and provide the AfricaMagic set of channels as well, also the home of African storytelling).

Mzansi Bioskop will now include a local movie premiere slot from Mondays to Fridays at 18:00.

On Friday nights at 19:00 Mzansi Bioskop will broadcast a classic African film.

On Saturdays and Sundays Mzansi Bioskop will show a popular South African film at 18:00, with  a Saturday blockbuster film premiere at 20:30 alongside themed evening slots.

"We've unearthed new creative talent – writers, directors, actors and others in the South African film industry, who have responded to our call for homegrown stories," says Victor Koaho, M-Net local entertainment's head of marketing.

"This together with giving existing players in the industry an outlet, means that Mzansi Bioskop is playing an increasingly important role in the healthy state of movie-making in the country."

Mzansi Wethu – the locally-focused general entertainment channel featuring an array of locally produced content  – will see a mix of brand-new productions and popular shows added to its programming.

Sitcoms like Samsokolo and The Mayor will now be broadcast on Mzansi Wethu starting on 21 June at 18:00 and on 27 June at 18:00 respectively. Isibaya from Mzansi Magic remain on Mzansi Wethu as well and viewers will also get reality shows, movies, dramas and telenovelas.

"The two channels Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Wethu are of vital importance to us as they are available to the DStv Access, Family and DTT (digital terrestrial television) markets – the fastest growing audience segments in our environment," says Victor Koaho.

"We therefore would like to provide these valued customers the enhanced viewing experience they deserve, which we have no doubt the new look and content strategy will provide them with."

TOLDJA. M-Net starting 2 new TV channels - Mzansi Wethu and M-Net Movies Zone - on the new DStv Access package from 7 May.

M-Net is now confirming that it will be starting two new TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform and indeed named Mzansi Wethu and M-Net Movies Zone which I reported yesterday is what the TV industry had been talking about.

Sources told me it would start on 7 May and M-Net now confirms it, saying the channels starting on 7 May will "welcome new viewers to the magic of pay-television on the newly-launched DStv Access package".

Also as I was told earlier, it is now confirmed that the two new TV channels will also be upscaled and be available on MultiChoice's DStv Family, DStv Compact and DStv Premium bouquets.

Mzansi Wethu on channel 163 will indeed a general entertainment channel, M-Net Movies Zone will be on channel 139 as a movie channel and as sources said "aimed at a black audience".

Mzansi Wethu will have locally-produced content but will start off with the bulk of content having been on other channels before. Similar to how kykNET & kie is a "cheaper" version of kykNET to make that type of channel available to a lower-paying viewership bracket, Mzansi Wethu will also be programmed with library titles such as iNkaba, Top Shayela, Nonhle Goes to Hollywood and Running with the Reps.

Mzansi Wethu will have its own brand-new studio-based soap however, filmed in the Lokshin-style entitled Zabalaza which will also be shown on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).

Zabalaza with Seputla Sebogodi, Baby Cele, Thami Afrika, Matli Mohapeloa and Khanya Mkhangisa will be shown on weekdays at 21:00 on Mzansi Wethu and will revolve around the struggling Cele clan.

Mzansi Wethu will also have My Perfect Wedding with Thuli Thabethe, a wedding reality show following 12 couples across South Africa trying to create the perfect weddings.

"We are proud to introduce Mzansi Wethu to the pay-TV scene and we are delighted that it is available on an affordable package," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net's director for local interest channels.

"Mzansi Wethu authentically reflects the day-to-day reality of many South Africans and we trust that viewers will love all the new vernacular programming and other not-to-be-missed shows. Our fantastic content can now reach a much wider audience and this can only be good for the local television industry."

Pierre Cloete, director for M-Net and M-Net Movies says M-Net Movies Zone is "all about great stars, great stories and great movies".

M-Net Movies Zone will go live at 13:00 om 7 May and Mzansi Wethu will go live at 18:00 on 7 May.