Showmax orders isiZulu Superstore comedy adaptation for South Africa

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax has commissioned a South African adaptation of the American comedy series Superstore produced by Barkers Media which will be done in isiZulu.

While work continues on an Afrikaans version for Showmax and kykNET (DStv 144) of The Office produced by Rapid Blue and licensed from BBC Studios, MultiChoice and NBCUniversal Formats are teaming up to do a version of Superstore for Showmax in isiZulu.

Production on the South African version as a Showmax Original and produced by Barkers Media, will start this year.

The six seasons of the American version of Superstore starring America Ferrera and Ben Feldman whose characters work at the fictional Cloud 9 chain store, are carried on Showmax.

The South African version will be the second non-English version after Supertitlán which is the Latin adaptation of the format in Mexico. 

Barkers Media already produced Killer Front Page, the reality shows Shebeen Queens and The Bala Family, as well as How to Manifest a Man.

"We're on Cloud 9," says Nicola van Niekerk, MultiChoice's executive head of programming.

"I laughed my way through every episode of Superstore and can't wait to see how the funny and loveable characters are reimagined in our complex country."

Reneilwe Sema, Barkers Media co-executive producer, says "We are proud to be producing the first African version of Superstore for Showmax.

Mpho Lengane, Barkers Media co-executive producer, adds "The format is globally recognised and adored by audiences all over the world, so we're looking forward to adding that distinctive South African flavour to it".

Hannah Mabruk, NBCUniversal Formats vice president for format sales, says Superstore "is a format that resonates with audiences around the world because of its undeniable humour, heart, and universal themes of community and friendship flourishing in the workplace".

"Together with our longtime partners at Showmax and the team at Barkers Media, we look forward to bringing a uniquely South African spin to these lovable characters in a fresh and exciting new way."

Local drama about izinkabi paid assassins, eHostela, coming to Mzansi Magic from January 2019.

A new local drama series about the murky world of paid assassins, eHostela, that was filmed in KwaZulu-Natal, is starting on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on 6 January at 20:00 as a new Sunday night drama.

eHostela was shot entirely in KwaZulu-Natal, with the 13-episode series that was produced by Stained Glass Productions, also responsible for SABC1's Uzalo.

eHostela will chronicle the mysterious and dangerous world of paid assassins (izinkabi) bound by loyalty and secrecy through the eyes of a young inkabi, Mdeni (Thobani Nzuza) - the adopted son of a ring leader Mancinza (Bheki Sibiya).

Mdeni doesn't want to kill but has a dream to follow his real passions - maskandi music. 

All seems to be going according to plan with Mdeni agreeing to one last hit, but his loyalty to his family is questioned when he meets Khethiwe (Lungelo Mpangase) at a maskandi competition and allows himself to fall in love - plunging his life into turmoil.

Besides battling a more violent brother, Jama (Wiseman Mncube) who is Mancinza's biological son, things get worse when Jama's rage and jealousy spirals out of control when it's revealed that Mancinza planned to leave the family business to the more reclusive Mndeni.

Meanwhile, the local South Africa Police Service is incapacitated by fear and doesn't dare set foot in the infamous Delafuka Hostel's surrounds. 

Detective Brightness Sithole (Zola Nombona) has been transferred to the region and she has a lot to prove in this hostile male-dominated setting. She is assigned to the KwaDela police station situated just outside the dangerous hostel and believes that The Brotherhood are the cause of the lawlessness in the community.

She is hellbent on breaking the world of corruption, murder and crime. Her partner, detective Nkomo (Martin Ziqubu) is widely respected in the community and highly celebrated in the police force. He lost his former partner to the Delafuka Hostel, when the hitmen sent a strong message to the police about their "territory" and Nkomo has an axe to grind.

"Mzansi Magic viewers will be exposed to the desperate lengths one is willing to go to for love, set against the backdrop of a world bound in blood and uncompromising loyalty," says Reneilwe Sema, director of local entertainment channels at M-Net.

142 million votes: Why the record-breaking Idols keeps growing as the [sic] Entertainment produced singing reality competition show on Mzansi Magic prepares for its 15th season.

Renewed for a 15th season in 2019, the record-breaking Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) keeps barreling full-steam ahead with TV ratings surging and surreal growth in voting numbers as the singing reality competition show surpassed 142 million votes - a new overall record - for the just-concluded 14th season.

After 16 years and 14 seasons since 2002, turn over the can labelled Idols and you won't find an expiry date listing any sell-by year in its second decade on the air.

In fact, Idols that's keeping up its simply phenomenal growth in ratings, voting and social media viewer engagement, has become a true tone example of how a carefully-crafted TV show, slowly but steadily nurturing its audience, can increase and leverage the power of that viewership to greater and greater commercial success.

Idols, a Fremantle format show produced by [sic] Entertainment with co-executive producers Gavin Wratten and ProVerb (Tebogo Thekosho who is also the presenter), continues to ride the crest of the combined waves of growth in pay-TV households, the ongoing expansion of the black middle class in South Africa, smartphone ownership and increased broadband data penetration.

All combined - and through knowing the audience and giving them exactly what they want - Idols has established itself as true tentpole television, making viewers not just feel as if they have a real voice in its democracy-in-action voting mechanics but by literally shaping a carefully choreographed secular version of a Sunday evening church-going experience - one where "pastor" ProVerb as presenter holds sway.

With its now firmly-established formulaic fame-making liturgy set down to the smallest unwavering details - viewers for instance getting equal-parts frustrated and elated in anticipation over things like ProVerb dragging out dramatic announcements with "after the commercial break" and with just enough minor variance in-between to keep things ever-unpredictable - Idols has created the template for a communal shared TV experience in the social media age.

The big Idols winners are M-Net, Mzansi Magic, and the in-show advertisers and sponsors who not only get a dedicated, captive audience but a growing and dynamically active captive audience. Idols viewers don't just watch the show - they live it, and as they live it, they spread it.

"Idols is the biggest talent platform in the country and keeps producing amazing talent. Gavin and ProVerb have done an amazing job. I look forward to Idols' 15th season," said Reneilwe Sema, the director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, just after Sunday's 2-hour 14th season Idols live finale that was broadcast on Mzansi Magic.

TVwithThinus asked Gavin Wratten right after Sunday's finale broadcast what he makes of the show's massive ongoing voting growth, for context about the latest Idols voting records and how he feels about Idols going from 83 million votes in 2016, to 98 million in 2017, and 142 million votes in 2018.

"Last year we were all blown away when we got 98 million votes and I don't think we ever thought we would get anywhere close to that for the season. 98 million was amazing," said Gavin Wratten.

"So ProVerb and I chatted and we said at the beginning of the 14th season let's just throw it out there, let's just try break a 100 million."

"And now, 142 million votes later, really I have no words. It's just unbelievable."

Idols already surpassed the total 98 million votes of the entire previous 13th season by the penultimate Sunday broadcast last week. That was when the total votes cast reached 110 million. What it means it that by Sunday a week ago, Idols already had 12 million votes more than the entire previous season. And the final week was still to come.

Then viewers cast another additional 32.5 million votes during the final broadcast week of Idols, that brought the total to just over 142 million votes for the entire 14th season.

Meanwhile viewership for Idols' 14th season is up by roughly half a million viewers over the previous 13th season - an astounding achievement for a show that viewers have to pay to watch.

Rating wise Idols at 1.55 million viewers during October for its most-watched episode on Mzansi Magic for the month lured more total viewers to the pay-TV channel than what the entire SABC3 as a free-to-air channel get: In October SABC3's top show was its weekday soap Isidingo with 1 020 712 viewers.

In fact, on the entire MultiChoice DStv pay-TV service Idols is the 3rd highest-rated show, behind just The Queen and Our Perfect Wedding - both Mzansi Magic shows on the same channel that's available to just DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers.

Idols that has been renewed for its 15th season, will start auditions in January 2019.

Auditions will take place on:
26 January 2019 – Pretoria, State Theatre
9 February 2019 – Durban, North Beach Amphitheatre
16 February 2019 – Johannesburg, Ellis Park
2 March 2019 – Cape Town, Century City

Several factors work together that could likely see Idols viewership and voting increase again.

From March 2019 an "unused roll-over data" rule will come into effect for cellular operators that could see consumers have access to more of their not yet used data before they lose it.

Elections will be held in South Africa in mid-2019, with the heightened social awareness around the importance of voting that could lead to an uptick in general voting behaviour elsewhere, for instance Idols.

Meanwhile smartphone sales, smartphone use, data use, and DStv subscriptions - especially of DStv Compact - in South Africa all keep growing despite a struggling economy, adding to the base elements fuelling Idols success.

Lastly, almost unnoticeably, Idols is ticking younger in winners - and that undoubtedly means an ongoing broadening of the audience.

It doesn't mean that the Idols audience is getting younger, but it means that more younger viewers are watching, and those younger viewers act as a tether to bring more other viewers with them, making the audience larger.

As viewers relate to, and identify with who they see on screen and reflect them, the inclusion of more younger top participants and steadily getting younger winners means that it's drawing in more younger viewers.

These younger viewers cause other family members to tune in as well for the viewing experience - people who might not have watched Idols but then follow the show.

Parents and older family members tend to watch what their children and younger family members watch, choose the TV to be tuned to and consider to be cool - a viewing trend that doesn't work the other way around.

Over the past four years since the show's transition to Mzansi Magic the Idols winner's age has steadily crept downwards from 30 (2014), 24 (2015), 22 (2016), 17 (2017) and 17 (2018) - an unmistakable trend line if you look closely.


ALSO READ: Idols winner Yanga Sobetwa on her life’s vision, big dreams including a PhD and starting a music academy – and 'freezing' her R1 million prize money.
ALSO READ: Idols runner-up Thato Makape: 'All of us in Postmasburg are winners because we came second in the greatest music competition show.'
ALSO READ: Yanga Sobetwa (17) from Delft the season 14 Idols winner as the show pulls a record-setting 142 million votes.
ALSO READ: Season 13: As Idols on Mzansi Magic continues to grow its viewership and voting, M-Net says Idols' voting engagement is now as important as ratings.

Mzansi Magic's new local drama series, Housekeepers, with Thando Thabethe and showrunner Portia Gumede is cleaning house to right a wrong.

Mzansi Magic's (DStv 161) new local drama series will revolve around Johannesburg's champagne crowd but while Housekeepers will show those sipping it and living the high life, the focus is squarely on those bringing it to them and plotting to bring them to a fall.

Housekeepers, produced by Oche Moving Pictures with Portia Gumede as showrunner, peeks behind the high walls of Fourways mansions to explore the lives and the drama of the rich as seen through the eyes of those who serve on them and see and know all.

In Housekeepers starting on Monday 8 October at 20:00 on Mzansi Magic, a devoted daughter goes to look for the truth when Linda Ndlovu (Thando Thabethe) who hides her identity behind an apron, assumes the role of housekeeper in an attempt to bring the Zwide family to justice after one of her loved ones are framed for murder.

"Viewers are taken on a journey of discovery. They learn about the secrets that bind the Zwide family and the people that hold the keys to their freedom as they make their beds every morning; keep their homes clean and are the invisible souls that know their employers’ sins," says Mzansi Magic in a statement.

"We are excited to be able to tell a story of the voiceless and sometimes overlooked beings, yet they run the households of those with financial power and social stature," says Reneilwe Sema, the director of local entertainment channels at M-Net.

"Housekeepers is an exploration of the class dynamics that exist in our society. As Mzansi Magic, we wanted to go into the unfamiliar territory which is not foreign to our audiences."

Housekeepers stars an ensemble cast led by Mangaliso Ngema as Peter Zwide, Zikhona Sodlaka as Boniswa Mzobe, Clementine Mosimane as June Ndlovu, Matsepo Maleme as Eunice Khotso, Connie Chuime as Maria Motsepe, Linda Sokhulu as Pru Yeni, Zodwa Nkosi as Phindi Molefe, Mike Mvelase as Max, Masasa Mbangeni as Nomhlubi, Bohang Moeko as Kabelo, and Gabriel Mini as Conway.

Idols announces its youngest top 10 ever as Mzansi Magic and the producers promise more mentoring and support.

Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Sunday evening announced the top 10 contestants for the 14th season - all based on viewers' votes - with M-Net and the producers, [SIC] Entertainment, who said they are doing more this year to provide psychologically support for the singers thrust into the world of sudden fame and who represent the series' youngest South African group ever.

On Sunday the three judges decided to forego their two "wildcard" saves with the top 16 contestants who were whittled down to the top 10 all based purely on viewer voting that continue to show massive grown and with the 14th season's number of votes that will likely dwarf anything the show has seen before by the time the live finale rolls around in late-November.

The top 10 represent the youngest Idols group since the show began on M-Net in March 2002 and range in age between just 17 and 23.

In fact the youngest contestant this year was just one year old when Idols first started, with the show's viewer interaction, ratings and voting more, higher and bigger than it has ever been before for what is a veteran show and where a decline and drop-off is not just expected but actually what would be considered normal.

"The announcement of the top 10 is launching what potentially could be the biggest season of Idols ever in South Africa. We're in season 14 and it doesn't ever get lower. This is potentially the biggest season," said Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director of local entertainment channels, at Sunday's post-show press conference with the 10 contestants and producers.

"It's all because of the talent on display and the people who make the show. These are the people who need viewers to vote and viewers love to follow them and vote. Last year I did say that as long as Idols perform we will always support it and it doesn't seem as if it's slowing down at all. I'd like to thank the producers for that. I'd like to thank the amazing talent that exist in South Africa."

"In the 14th season you'd think that we would be running out of talent and we're more, we keep unearthing more and more spectacular voices. So congratulations," said Reneilwe Sema.

Co-executive producer Tebogo Thekiso known as ProVerb said that in regard to social media, the production team as as a TV show that is for the people "one can't be oblivious to what is the general thought, what is the general feeling."

"We do not allow social media to dictate the direction of the show but we do obviously consider what is the general feeling and what is most responded to and that can possibly inform some of the decisions we make going forward."

In terms of the voting he said "Sunday was the perfect indication of where the priority on Idols actually lies. So the judges, sure, may comment and give advice, but ultimately it's up to the viewers and the voters and the priority should be there."


More mentoring for contestants and support
Following the documented psychological issues that the runner-up of the 13th season of Idols, Mthokozisi Ndaba from KwaMashu, experienced who eventually cracked under the pressure and couldn't cope and claimed that he wanted to leave during the top 10 but was prevented from doing so - something [SIC] Entertainment strongly denied - TVwithThinus asked Mzansi Magic and the producers on Sunday night what is being done more, better, new or differently to support the very young group of contestants this year.

"We've got a 24/7 doctor on standby who's at the house whenever the contestants call. And then we do have help with regards to medical, religious or psychological whenever they need it said. But our first point of call is our doctor," Gavin Wratten, the director-executive producer and Idols showrunner, said.

Bongi Potelwa-Metsing, Mzansi Magic spokesperson said "Also this year what we try to do is to bring in from the industry experts to teach the top 10 how to handle the media, how to handle the disappointment".

"We know everyone goes through those emotions so we try to do our best in the background as the channel, and the production. So we are looking after the contestants' well-being."


Here are Idols' top 10 for 2018's 14th season:

Yanga Sobetwa (17) is flying the Generation Z flag high and proud. Following the footsteps of last season’s teen victor, Paxton, Season 14’s youngest contestant has stepped out of the Cape Town township of Langa straight into the national spotlight. 

Nosipho Silinda (18) recently celebrated her birthday in the Idols house, and South Africa gifted the Grade 11 pupil from Ladysmith in KZN with a spot in the Top 10.

Ntokozo Makhathini (18) must be drinking the same Witbank water as her neighbour, Idols season nine winner Musa. Whatever it is, she’s keeping her small town on the map with her inclusion in the Top 10. 

Basimane Boys Melato aka King B (19) was the first to hear the magic words “You’re in the Top 10!” from ProVerb. The HR student from Kagiso has been a firm favourite since his dazzling Theatre Week performance that saw him get a standing ovation, which he followed up with another crowd-pleasing performance during the Top 16 Boys show. He reciprocated the love with his now trademark vosho…as Kings do!

Zamagambu Memela aka Xae (19) made Idols history by becoming the first contestant to get a Golden Ticket autographed – by all the judges. While that was a sweet but meaningless gesture, making it into the Top 10 is a big deal for the youngster from Pinetown, Durban.

Thando Mngomezulu (19) finally overcame her crippling lack of confidence to give a dynamite performance that saw the country showing their appreciation with votes. South Africa spoke, the judges listened, and Thando from Jozi made it to the Top 10.

Mthokozisi Nqcobo (20) may have had only two pairs of shoes when he first auditioned, but his spot in the Top 10 proves walking in them to the audition was worth it. The Umlazi, Durban, native is finally on stage doing what he says heals his heart – singing.

Thato Makape (23) is the epitome of courage and determination, as his inclusion in the Top 10 proves. A barber from Postmasburg in the Northern, Makape travelled nearly 10 000 km for an audition in Cape Town. Tonight, South Africa showed him that the journey was worth it.

Lincoln Lewis (22) from Ravensmead on the Cape Flats has been bringing fire every time he steps on stage. After being told he had given judges “the best audition of the season so far”, he went on to impress during Theatre Week and received a unanimous thumbs-up for his Top 16 performance.

Niyaaz Arendse (22) snatched the last spot in the Top 10. After many years of rejection on the show, it was no wonder the youngster from Ottery, Cape Town, was overcome with emotion.

TV CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK: The basically perfect nominees announcement media event of Mzansi Magic's DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 gives hope that South Africa can get TV award shows right.

Tuesday's nominees announcement media event in Johannesburg, organised by Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) for its DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 set to take place on 24 November, was a normal, faultless, textbook case of near-perfection of how to do a TV award show nominees announcement.

The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 nominees announcement was brilliant. Because it was so ... normal.

M-Net's general entertainment channels division overseen by director Reneilwe Sema got everything right, and did everything right, in terms of its nominees announcement event on Tuesday.

Why it's remarkable, and needs to be remarked upon, is because this nominees announcement event stands in massive and stark contrast to all of the other mangled nominees announcements from wannabe South African award shows foisting off trashly done events.

From the National Film and Video Foundation's South African Film & Television Awards to the majority of the rest when it comes to their award show's nominees announcements are unprofessional, awfully done and essentially time-waster trash.

While the nominees announcement last year of the inaugural DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards in 2017 created some frustration with the press, Mzansi Magic did a course-correction this year and got it perfect the second time round.

Meanwhile the actual DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards last year was (already) amazing, with high-quality production values, incredible organising, superb attention to detail, and literally none of the avalanche of TV trash that derail most of South Africa's local, live broadcast award shows.

While these constantly and perennially quickly devolve into primary school concerts, Mzansi Magic showed that its DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards is a cut above the rest.

It would serve the NFVF and its Saftas organisers - as well as everyone in-between from the Royalty Soapie Awards to the litany of bad in-between like the South African Music Awards, Metro FM Music Awards and the South African Sports Awards - well to study, observe and take a page from the playbook of M-Net and Mzansi Magic on how to do a nominees announcement event, and the live broadcast awards show that follows thereafter, properly.

Tuesday's nominees announcement event for the DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 was on point, short, comprehensive, inclusive, and extremely professional.

It included star-power, had an auditorium packed with media, had sponsors present, made execs and celebrities available for short Q&A sessions immediately, had multiple publicist standing by and hovering, was organised and timed to perfection and had a full, and properly prepared media pack with information and images for the press.

Mzansi Magic roped in Bonang Matheba on Tuesday who was fully-informed, knew names, knew how to pronounce them, and successfully worked the crowd.

The high-energy event stood in very sharp contrast to the NFVF's terrible nominees announcement "breakfast" for the 12th Saftas in February this year where the unprofessional Masechaba Ndlovu didn't know and didn't care to get the pronunciation of nominee names correct.

Mzansi Magic sent out a media advisory about the announcement event weeks in advance, quite different to the NFVF and other award show's shoddy and amateur attempts who don't know the media, don't care to know, don't know who to invite, and often even invite people as late as the day before.

Mzansi Magic furthermore made a point of including press from across the whole of South Africa and through that signaled not just the importance that the DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 wanted them there, but also that this award show is for all of South Africa.

It also signaled to the press that they matter (enough) to be included, instead of just announcing names to the isolated Johannesburg bubble of media.

Several journalists from Port Elizabeth, Durban and Cape Town were invited and joined Johannesburg media to cover the nominees announcement - something that instantly raised the event's stature.

It also served to underscore that this nominees announcement is important as a precursor that in turn lifts the credibility and perceived importance of the awards show.

The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 was glamorous - unlike the dull, dreary, boring mess other nominees announcement events dish up. M-Net executives attended even though they didn't even speak, like acting M-Net CEO Nkateko Mabaso.

Their mere presence showed that they support what the M-Net channels put out and are doing. Celebrities like Somizi showed up, further underscoring the event's social calendar importance. 

The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 nominees announcement also started on time.

Categories with their various nominees were played out on a big screen in sophisticated, slickly-done videos - all names properly read out on the few quick AV's shown.

Media were emailed the press release quickly and got electronic press packs on USB that included all of the relevant information and images.

The room was full. Mzansi Magic invited press, sponsors, TV stars, celebrities and TV executives and they arrived and collectively packed into the auditorium at Summer Place in Hyde Park.

Again it stood in stark contrast to the badly organised Saftas of the National Film and Video Foundation and other award shows' nominees announcement events where the attendance is always shockingly lacklustre, nobody really gets invited, nobody really knows about it, almost nobody cares to attend, and the event looks empty with a few disinterested people just standing around.

The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 nominees announcement event was inspiring - not for the announcements per se, but for showing that yes, South Africa can do things like a nominees announcement right and proper.

In 18 years of covering local awards shows and their nominees announcements, the DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 on Tuesday became this TV critic's best one I've ever attended.

It was a Goldilocks example of how to do a proper awards show nominees reveal event - everything was "just right".

May the rest of South Africa take note(s), learn, improve and come to the realisation that just like the Emmys, Oscars and Hollywood's other marquee-branded award shows, South Africa is fully-capable of pulling off the announcement of nominees in a proper and professional way.

Mzansi Magic announces nominees for the DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards 2018, Bonang Matheba back as host for the awards show's second edition set for 24 November.

M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Tuesday afternoon at Summer Place in Hyde Park announced the nominees for the second DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards 2018 with Bonang Matheba as the master of ceremonies and who will also return on 24 November as the host of the special live broadcast award show on the channel done from the Sandton Convention Centre.

Mzansi Magic and Bonang Matheba both got rave reviews from TV critics as well as viewers for the excellent spectacle and high production values of the inaugural DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards that took place in 2017, with the channel that decided to repeat it and also add a Favourite Personality of the Year category for 2018.

The Gqom sensation, Destruction Boyz, and their smash hit, Omunye, lead the nominees list with an impressive three nods for Song of the Year, Favourite Rising Star and Favourite Music Artist/Group.

Nipping close at the heels with two nominations each are Prince Kaybee and Kagiso Rabada.

Prince Kaybee is nominated in the Song of the Year and Favourite DJ categories, while Rabada appears in the Favourite Sports Personality of the Year and Favourite Personality of the Year lists.

Rabada will have to beat stiff competition from media darling Bonang Matheba, crowd favourite Papa Penny Ahee, Mzansi sweetheart Nomzamo Mbatha and the flamboyant reality TV star Somizi Mhlongo.

"The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards launched in 2017 to great fanfare," said Reneilwe Sema, director of local entertainment channels at M-Net.

"The calibre of nominees, is testament to the quality shows and magnitude of the talent South Africa has to offer. With the viewers voting for the favourites in every category - this is anyone’s race."

"The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards is a way for us to give our viewers a platform to choose their favourite entertainers, who have become a significant part of their daily lives. Another important aspect of the awards is that they recognise both seasoned and new professionals, therefore contributing to the growth of Mzansi talent."

Last year, fan favourite Thembisa Mdoda walked away with the prize as Mzansi’s ultimate favourite personality, a hotly contested category that had fans furiously casting a combined one million votes across categories.

This year there is the addition of a new category, Favourite Personality of the Year, which will be awarded to a personality that has gone above and beyond to have an impact in our society.

There’s also a hardworking and dedicated community leader who will be bestowed the Life Changer award. This is a person who has worked tirelessly and passionately for the betterment of their community to create positive change.

South Africans can vote in 11 categories and the nominee with the most votes out of all the categories will be named the ultimate viewers' choice.


Below is the full list of categories and nominees:

1. FAVOURITE SONG OF THE YEAR

A.           PRINCE KAYBEE & LASOULMATES FT ZANDA ZAKUZA & TNS – CLUB CONTROLLER

B.           DJ MAPHORISA FT DJ TIRA, BUSISWA & MOONCHILD SANELLY – MIDNIGHT STARRING

C.           HEAVY K FT NOKWAZI & BUCIE – INDE

D.           DISTRUCTION BOYZ FT DLADLA MSHUNQISI & BENNY MAVERICK – OMUNYE

E.            KWESTA FT WALE - SPIRIT

2. FAVOURITE TV PRESENTER

A.           LERATO KGANYAGO

B.           THOMAS MLAMBO

C.           PEARL MODIADIE

D.           CAROL TSHABALALA

E.            ANELE MDODA

3.  FAVOURITE COMEDIAN

A.           SKHUMBA

B.           FELIX HLOPHE

C.           TUMI MORAKE

D.           SMOWKEY NYEMBE

E.            MPHO POPPS

4. FAVOURITE RISING STAR

A.           SMASH AFRIKA

B.           LUVO MANYONGA

C.           DISTRUCTION BOYZ

D.           LANGA MAVUSO

E.            LUNGI NGIDI

5.   FAVOURITE RADIO PERSONALITY

A.           ANELE MDODA

B.           NTATE THUSO MOTAUNG

C.           DUDU ‘LADY D’ KHOZA

D.           DJ FRESH

E.            SELBY ‘SELBEYONCE’ MKHIZE

6.  FAVOURITE ACTOR

A.           WARREN MASEMOLA

B.           HAMILTON DLAMINI

C.           MDUDUZI MABASO

D.           MASOJA MSIZA

E.            KHULU SKENJANA

7. FAVOURITE ACTRESS

A.           THEMBSIE MATU

B.           RAMI CHUENE

C.           LINDA SEBEZO

D.           MOSHIDI MOTSHEGWA

E.            LESEGO MARAKALLA

8. FAVOURITE MUSIC ARTIST / GROUP

A.           LADY ZAMAR

B.           SHEKHINAH

C.           DISTRUCTION BOYZ

D.           KHUZANI

E.            AKA

9. FAVOURITE DJ

A.           MS COSMO

B.           DJ MAPHORISA

C.           PRINCE KAYBEE

D.           DJ TIRA

E.            BLACK COFFEE

10. FAVOURITE SPORTS PERSONALITY

A.           KAGISO RABADA

B.           PERCY TAU

C.           CASTER SEMENYA

D.           PITSO MOSIMANE

E.            SIYA KOLISI

11. FAVOURITE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

A.           PAPA PENNY AHEE

B.           BONANG MATHEBA

C.           NOMZAMO MBATHA

D.           SOMIZI MHLONGO

E.            KAGISO RABADA

12. LIFE CHANGER  – SEPARATE COMPETITION

13. ULTIMATE VIEWERS’ CHOICE – MOST VOTED IN TOTAL

M-Net says I do to new Marry Me Now reality series for 1Magic, starting from November.

M-Net has said I do to the new Marry Me Now reality series, with a local South African version in which wannabe brides ambush their partners and ask them to marry them on the spot, that will start on the 1Magic (DStv 103) channel in November.

M-Net continues its successful "marriage season" streak with programmes across its set of channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform like The Wedding Bashers and Our Perfect Wedding getting buzz and ratings.

Naspers' VIA (DStv 147) female-skewed lifestyle channel has been running an Afrikaans version of Marry Me Now, Kom Ons Trou, Nou! in which brides, tired of waiting, pre-plan their dream weddings and then surprise their partners with a proposal while wearing their wedding dresses. If he says no, it's over, but if he says yes, they get married on the spot.

The 13-episode Marry Me Now will be shown on 1Magic and acros ssub-Saharan Africa. Reneilwe Sema, director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, says Marry Me Now "offers the fun viewing" that appeals to 1Magic viewers.

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, produced by RHOSA Productions, will be starting on 3 August on 1Magic with 6 Jozi socialites who 'have the biggest handbag and stilettos collections in town'.

M-Net has announced the names of the 6 Johannesburg women who will be appearing in the official local South African version of The Real Housewives format, The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, with a first season set to start on 1Magic (DStv 103) on Friday 3 August at 19:00.

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg is produced by RHOSA Productions with 13 episodes in the first season, based on the format distributed internationally by NBCUniversal International Formats.

In January M-Net revealed that an official version of The Real Housewives will be coming to South African television on 1 Magic after several fake tries and flop namesake shows.

In 2013 TVwithThinus reported on the drama when Barbie Brazil (real name Thembi Ennie Tshabalala) claimed that she was producing a local South African version entitled The Real Housewives of South Africa although NBCUniversal told me that Barbs doesn't have the rights to the show.

A year later in 2014, The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, reportedly produced by Tigere Media, became a hot topic again with several local well-heeled glitterati whose names were mentioned as being part of yet another attempt at the show. Production started and footage filmed, however the show was abruptly canned after just 6 months - again over format licensing issues.

In 2016 Divas of Jozi made its debut on SABC3 during the reign of terror at the SABC of the famously matricless chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng that destroyed the ratings of the public broadcaster with his insane programming quotas and trash ideas.

Divas of Jozi was a ratings disaster for SABC3 and slammed by viewers and critics alike. It didn't use The Real Housewives name but was a "refilm" of sorts of the 2014 project, with the exact same cast plus an additional woman, and was done by Bravoplex Media.

The Real Housewives has already seen several legitimate format licensing adaptations internationally - including series set in Athens, Vancouver, Melbourne, Cheshire, Auckland, Sydney, Bangkok and last year two, with one set in Toronto, Canada as well as one just called The Real Housewives of Hungary using the country's name. 

Through research RHOSA Productions tracked down Johannesburg socialites - women considered prominent Johannesburg housewives on the social scene.

The women include Evodia Mogase, calling herself Madame, originally from Soweto, who started off as a teacher, then owning a catering business and who is now a "vegetation" expert, described as "warm and talkative".

Evodia's daughter, Mercy Mogase, is also part of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, described as a "bubbly health fanatic" who studied mechanical engineering and is a motivational speaker.

Brinnette Seopela, described as "warm and charming" is a beauty entrepreneur who owns a spa and is apparently "the glue that holds the housewives together".

Naledi Willers is a former Miss Botswana 2nd princess and is a law student "with a strong presence" who also speaks her mind.

Then there's Christall Kay, originally from Durban, who is a former lawyer turned businesswoman "with ambitions of becoming a superstar".

Christall has walked the runways as a model and done commercials to prepare for "a career as a singer".

Busisiwe Ter Mors is also known as "Lendy", a golfer born in South Africa but raised in England.

Busisiwe is a mother of two "with enough time to enjoy the joys of being a housewife, from living an affluent lifestyle to enjoying simple get-togethers hosting her friends and family".

According to the show, DStv subscribers will get access to the lives of these "glamorous wealthy Johannesburg women and take a tour of their wardrobes and get VIP access to their lavish parties"who apparently have "the biggest handbag and stilettos collections in town".

Ana Langenberg, the senior vice president of format sales and production at NBCUniversal International Formats, says "The Real Housewives franchise is a global brand, which seamlessly lends itself to localisation".

"For years M-Net has brought other international versions of the show to audiences across South Africa, so it is the perfect partner to launch the first official South African version."

"Johannesburg also makes for the perfect setting, with its rich history and vibrant culture. We can't wait for what we hope will be another successful series full of entertainment, drama and extravagance."

Reneilwe Sema, the director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, says "We are excited to be able to bring our viewers a South African version of The Real Housewives, a great franchise that has done so well internationally. The Real Housewives of Johannesburg will be a great treat for 1Magic viewers".

Mzansi Magic's new drama series, The Herd, with Sello Maake ka Ncube, looking at life's sacrifices with a supernatural twist.

M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel is adding a new 13-episode drama series, The Herd, starting on Sunday 8 July at 20:00 that will revolve around a man sacrificing his soul for love and a better future with a supernatural twist.

The Herd, produced by Seriti Films, will follow Bhekisizwe Mthethwa (Sello Maake Ka Ncube) who was fired 28 years ago from his job at a butchery due to his leg injury and who then went to consult a witch, MaMngadi (Winnie Ntshaba) who promised him a bright future in return for a great sacrifice as a desperate Bheki tries to provide for his wife and baby.

In the present Bheki is married to MaMngadi with three more children, Muzi (Sparky Xulu), Nkosana (Paballo Mavundla) and Dumazile (Cindy Mahlangu) with Bheki who has to choose the successor to his cattle business that leads to sibling rivalry.

"Sacrifice is at the heart of many human stories, particularly when looking at the family structure. It’s the man’s responsibility to take care of his loved ones and sometimes the pressure of supporting the family can drive a man to the edges of darkness, says Reneilwe Sema, M-Net director of local entertainment channels. "The Herd is essentially about that: the sacrifices we make for love."

Also part of The Herd cast are Zethu Dhlomo playing the tough and gifted gunslinger, Lwandle; Sihle Ndaba as Bheki’s golden child, Kayise; Tiisetso Thoka as the Mthethwa’s leading herdsman, Dingane; and Peter Mashigo as the troubled alcoholic, Magubane.

M-Net has renewed Isithembiso, produced by The Bomb Shelter, for a 2nd season on Mzansi Magic; says the migrant telenovela's good performance justifies its extension to include episodes on Fridays.

M-Net has renewed its millennial migrant telenovela, Isithembiso, on Mzansi Magic (Dstv 161) at 19:30 for a second season and increased the weekly episodes to include a Friday episode, making it a weekday show from this week, with the first Friday episode on 6 April.

Isithembiso, produced by The Bomb Shelter, will have a second season of 260 episodes that will play out over 5 days a week.

M-Net tells TVwithThinus that Isithembiso has performed well for Mzansi Magic, prompting the renewal as well as justifying the upping of its run from 4 to 5 episodes per week.

"Isithembiso has been well received by audiences in the past 12 months and extending it to 5 days a week, as it goes into the second season was a natural progression," says Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director of local entertainment channels. "The same was done in the past with The Queen and Isibaya." 

Set in Johannesburg, the second season of Isithembiso will leave rural girl Simi (Nandi Mbatha) devastated while  Zamani (Zamani Mbatha) learns the hard way that love comes at a price. Meanwhile Claudia (Chichi Letswalo) and Kero (Meshack Mavuso Magabane) are determined to claim their power as Palesa's (Tshenolo Seabi) world falls apart.

BREAKING. 'Make it work': Project Runway SA reality show coming to Mzansi Magic on DStv; produced by Ndalo Pictures and Rapid Blue for broadcast from July.

"Make it work": A South African version Project Runway is coming to Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), with episodes of the designer competition reality show that will be broadcast on the channel from July.

Project Runway South Africa is the second of two new localised titles of well-known American reality shows that South African and African viewers haven't yet seen before.

M-Net's local entertainment channels division announced that month that it will be doing a South African version of The Real Housewives of ... for the rebranded 1Magic (DStv 103).

The Project Runway format is held by the now notorious The Weinstein Company (TWC) and local licensing versions are shopped by FremantleMedia International's (FMI) FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW) division.

FMI already sold several seasons of the American version of Project Runway to M-Net with seasons broadcast on the M-Net, M-Net Series, VUZU Amp and Vuzu channels along with spin-offs like Project Runway Junior and Project Runway All Stars.

“Project Runway has done well internationally. We are excited to have the local version on Mzansi Magic," says Reneilwe Sema, the director of local entertainment channels at M-Net.

"As a channel we have successfully introduced scripted content and reality formats into the market. Project Runway SA will add value and variety to our content proposition".

Project Runway SA will be produced by Ndalo Pictures, the new TV and multimedia division of Ndalo Media that secured the licensing rights from FMI for a local version, and production partner Rapid Blue that is currently producing Dancing with the Stars SA for M-Net and did a new season of Come Dine with Me South Africa for BBC Worldwide South Africa.

“South Africa has impressive design talent that is absolutely ready for an international show like this,” says Khanyi Dhlomo, owner of Ndalo Media where magazines like ELLE and Destiny are going to be used to leverage interest in the local version of the TV show.

"It’s engaging, informative, enlightening and entertaining. It’s about talent, about mentorship, opportunity, and pushing creativity past all boundaries. We’re incredibly proud to be able to bring this show to our shores.”

In Project Runway South Africa, the finalists will have to prepare for the 2019 Paris Fashion Week in February 2019 with Edgars as the clothing sponsor and TRESemmé for hair.

Project Runway South Africa will face somewhat of an uphill climb. Designing reality TV shows in South Africa cater to a small niche audience and several other attempts have suffered from a combination of lackluster viewership and low ratings as well as scandals.

From 2006's The Cut South Africa to Raw Silk on SABC1 and most recently the scandal-riddled The Intern with David Tlale on SABC3, the local shows that suffer from rushed and bad production values have struggled to capture public viewers' attention and catch on in the way overseas ones do.

Last week David Tlale and the SABC shocked when the prizes of Kuena Moshoeshoe who was announced as the winner of The Intern in October 2017, were given to runner-up Keletso Moraba who was suddenly "crowned" the new winner following ongoing acrimonious in-fighting behind the scenes.

Entries for Project Runway South Africa will open on Monday 26 February.

Is M-Net's new 1Magic channel on DStv going to commit the cardinal sin of repeating old content that was on VUZU AMP - just because the rebranded channel has a new name?

It will be a serious error of judgement but what is the chance that M-Net's new 1Magic channel replacing VUZU AMP on 29 January is going to start rebroadcasting old content that was on VUZU AMP?

I'm desperately hoping that it won't be happening, although if it does, I won't actually be surprised.

MultiChoice has been working hard the past two years to start limiting the number of repeats and old content across its DStv satellite pay-TV service, but one thing that has seriously been irritating viewers, it hasn't put a moratorium on: the shameful recycling of old content that starts popping up yet again on a "new" channel, just because a TV channel gets a new logo and a new name.

BBC Worldwide did it with BBC Brit, Discovery Networks International did it with Discovery Family, AMC Networks International (AMCNI) did it with Sundance TV that replaced AMC, and I'm holding my breath to see whether M-Net's "new" channel 103 with a new name is going to dredge up the "old" channel 103 content.

If a TV channel has a new name, a new look and a new channel brand identity, it shouldn't trade in its yesteryear stock. 

It will be interesting to see if M-Net is going to put stuff like Being Bonang or Minnie Dlamini's wedding TV special, Minnie Dlamini: Becoming Mrs. Jones, that was on VUZU AMP, again on 1Magic. Keep in mind that 1Magic is supposed to be and presented as a DStv Premium channel.

If M-Net does end up doing that, 1Magic won't really be any different that BBC Brit, DStv Family and Sundance TV that were actually "cheating" pay-TV subscribers after their "relaunches" as new channels. 

And why go to all the effort of a new name and image and a new coat of paint on the factory door outside, if its still the same assembly line conveyor belt on the inside?

I dearly hope that 1Magic that is promising new shows like The River and Unmarried isn't going to load up on old content that DStv Premium subscribers have already seen in the past on VUZU AMP.

Ongoing series and shows that used to be on VUZU AMP like The Real Housewives are of course fine, because it's new episodes. But 1Magic will start to incur its first image dent if it dishes up VUZU AMP things people have seen before.

The one problem that 1Magic has is that it starts out with not a big, but actually a sizeable trust deficit - both with viewers as well as with the press covering television and the TV business.

Already I have had 5 different journalists ask me versions of: "So how long do you think 1Magic will last?"

That's not a good thing. 

Viewers, and I suspect several of the press, are not instantly going to "embrace" 1Magic. They are suspicious because they're been burnt now so many times before that they're no longer willing to just "invest" their heart and time and attention into a channel that might also just be outright cancelled and be done away with in another 3 years' time.

M-Net has made so many chops and changes to its channels over the past half a decade that it's almost a question of people not taking it "seriously" anymore when some M-Net channel is launched.

In the back of your mind there's now perpetually the nagging suspicion that it might be taken away just as easily as it was launched, after a year or two.

VUZU AMP lasted just over 3 years - a bit longer than M-Net Edge, so why should DStv subscribers have any trust or show affinity to embrace 1Magic? 

Like an orphaned child shunted from foster home to foster home one too many times, it is understandable why DStv subscribers might have trust issues with new TV channels that arrive, promising the world with new names, just to disappoint and then fold when you least expect it (yes Animal Planet, we're talking about you).

To a degree, M-Net already missed an opportunity this past week with 1Magic to properly explain the new channel, to try and allay fears that might exist, to put 1Magic into proper context, to try and influence attitudes, and to answer questions.

There was a media briefing for the launch of 1Magic at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg but M-Net did it only for Johannesburg media. Sadly the bulk of the type of Johannesburg media outlets who were invited and attended couldn't be bothered to report anything of substance about it.

Either the type of media invited are bad and lazy or incompetent, or M-Net didn't have interesting or relevant things to say - or perhaps both. Whatever the case might be, it's not good for 1Magic beginning as a new TV channel to have a media event and there not being actually a flurry of stories about what was said at the actual briefing.

The result is that ordinary viewers, as well as South Africa's TV industry, haven't been able to hear what M-Net has to say and wants to bring across and communicate about 1Magic.

Nkateko Mabaso, M-Net South Africa's general manager, was at the 1Magic media launch and press briefing and spoke, but there's not been a single article about anything he said from the media who were invited and attended.

Reneilwe Sema, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, was at the 1Magic media launch and spoke but likewise there's not been a single media place where you are able to find what exactly he said.

The award-winning scriptwriter Phathu Makwarela (Muvhango on SABC2's former head writer) responsible for The River as one of the executive producers and produced by Tshedza Pictures, was there as well and spoke, but you won't find any of his comments from this past week anywhere either.

To date there's not been a single review of The River that was actually previewed and shown at the media launch and press briefing to journalists (M-Net won't be showing it to TV critics outside of Johannesburg).

For 1Magic's start and to really bring it under the attention of people, M-Net should maybe have made a much bigger fuzz about 1Magic as a new channel launch, especially because there's the VUZU AMP existence that precedes it, and that it needs to get distance from.

Hopefully M-Net's 1Magic can in time (if it lasts long enough), overcome some of the built-in bias and skepticism that exist about yet another relaunch, and that it will be launching with on Monday.

If it can last on DStv for longer than 3 years and 3 months it will already be considered more of a success that what VUZU AMP ever was. 

With so many available TV channels now and the attention of viewers and the press so splintered, it's incredibly difficult to break through. Hopefully 1Magic will grow and be able to find traction.

A real South African version of The Real Housewives coming to DStv as M-Net's new 1Magic reveals that it secured the international format rights from NBCUniversal for a local version.

A real South African version of The Real Housewives will be coming to DStv, with M-Net that confirmed that it had picked up the format licensing rights for a local South African version of the show for its new 1Magic (DStv 103) channel.

For the past few years M-Net has been showing seasons of The Real Housewives, and the various spin-offs from this American reality show franchise on the VUZU AMP (DStv 103) channel.

M-Net is now rebranding and relaunching VUZU AMP as 1 Magic on 29 January on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, as it tries to court an upmarket black viewership demographic that's familiar with the existing Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) offering and who wants even more premium programming.

1Magic will be available to DStv Premium subscribers only, and although no broadcast date has been specified, the first real South African version of The Real Housewives will make its debut on this channel in the future.

It's not yet clear what exactly the show's title would be and where it would be set, for instance The Real Housewives of Jozi or Sandton, The Real Housewives of Clifton, or The Real Housewives of Soweto.

"1Magic has recently acquired the rights to produce a version of The Real Housewives format. There's no link to the SABC productions from some time back," said Reneilwe Sema, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, in response to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus following Tuesday's 1Magic media launch event held at Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg.

The Real Housewives is an NBCUniversal International format and is produced internationally in conjunction with NBCUniversal International Studios.

An official, "real" South African version of The Real Housewives for the country would be a long way coming.

In 2013 TVwithThinus reported on the drama when Barbie Brazil (real name Thembi Ennie Tshabalala) claimed that she was producing a local South African version entitled The Real Housewives of South Africa although NBCUniversal told me that Barbs doesn't have the rights to the show.

A year later in 2014, The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, reportedly produced by Tigere Media, became a hot topic again with several local well-heeled glitterati whose names were mentioned as being part of yet another attempt at the show. Production started and footage filmed, however the show was abruptly canned after just 6 months - again over format licensing issues.

In 2016 Divas of Jozi made its debut on SABC3. The reality series that was widely panned by viewers and TV critics alike didn't use The Real Housewives name but was a "refilm" of sorts of the 2014 project, with the exact same cast plus an additional woman, and was done by Bravoplex Media.

The Real Housewives has already seen several legitimate format licensing adaptations internationally - including series set in Athens, Vancouver, Melbourne, Cheshire, Auckland, Sydney, Bangkok and last year two, with one set in Toronto, Canada as well as one just called The Real Housewives of Hungary using the country's name.

LET THE RIVER RUN. Sindi Dlathu to shock as devil diva in 1Magic's new diamond drama.

The new diamond drama, The River, will start as a new locally-produced telenovela on the new 1Magic channel on Monday 29 January 2018 with M-Net that's managed to lure well-known TV talent like Sindi Dlathu, Hlomla Dandala, Don Mlangeni and Motshidi Motshegwa to put a face to the new channel.

Like SABC3's Isidingo produced by Endemol Shine South Africa, The River, produced by Tshedza Pictures, chose a South African mining community as the fictional setting where a clash between downtrodden yet aspiring blue collar workers and high-society wealth-wielders will play out when the telenovela starts on weekdays at 20:00.

Similar to the first local drama forays of Mzansi Magic, The River will combine the conflict inherent in township struggles where ordinary working class South Africans have bigger dreams, but are in part prevented from realising those aspirations due to capitalist greed and pervasive corruption within the upper classes.

The River will be the flagship show on the soon-to-launch 1Magic (DStv 103) that is replacing the VUZU AMP channel after three years that tried to court a younger viewership.

The creation of 1Magic is signaling M-Net's latest shift to a bigger focus on broader, general local entertainment through telenovelas and dramas to try and lure a wider audience than just youth viewers, something that the VUZU and VUZU AMP channels have struggled with.

"The River is just the type of drama that fans have been waiting for," says Reneilwe Sema, the M-Net director of local entertainment.

"The storyline combines the allure and ruthlessness of the business world, with the raw essence of township struggles, making for the type of story lines our viewers love."

Sindi Dlathu who left SABC2's Venda-soap Muvhango for this new top billing role, will now appear as Lindiwe, the ruthless matriarch of a mining family.

It will be a stunning role-reversal character portrayal for Sindi Dlathu, beloved by millions of South African viewers for her Thandaza Mokoena character in Muvhango, with viewers who are going to be shocked and bowled over by her cunning, vicious and "love to hate her" new evil on-screen persona.

When the stiletto'ed Lindiwe, living in an upper-crust mansion one the one side of a river, discovers that a township community on the other side is unaware that they're sitting on a valuable diamond treasure, she is adamant to secure the land and riches and will let nothing stand in her way.

Desperate to unearth the diamonds, she is as quick to put bodies into the ground when people stand in her way.

Hlomla Dandala who was in Isidingo and headlined M-Net's very first "Africa drama" Jacob's Cross a decade ago in 2007, returns to M-Net as Zweli, the husband of Lindiwe.

Newcomer Larona Moagi plays Itumeleng, a young character from the township, described as a "feisty rebel who refused to be silenced and roll over when her family and community become casualties of greed and excess" and who wants to put an end to Lindiwe's "ruthless gluttony" at the expense of the local mining community.

The veretan actor Don Mlangeni plays Thato, Itumeleng's dad, with veteran actress Moshidi Motshegwa appearing as her mom, Malefu, a "pillar of strength in the family and township community".

Lawrence Maleka will appear in the role of Zolani, the adopted son of Lindiwe who "bites into forbidden fruit" and is the eyewitness to a terrible tragedy.