Teen drama, Signal High, from Okuhle Media returns to SABC2 as a stand-alone series for a third season.

The local teen drama filmed in Cape Town, Signal High, has returned to SABC2, this time as a stand-alone series for a third season.

Produced by Okuhle Media, the teen-focused show that was incorporated into SABC2's youth afternoon block, Hectic Nine-9, is back after a 4 year break and now as its own stand-alone series with episodes on Fridays at 17:00.

The previous two seasons of  the edutainment Signal High on Hectic Nine-9 dealt with issues ranging from bullying and deceit to lying, homosexuality and cheating.

Signal High, set at the fictional Cape Town high school, was a hit with viewers when it first debuted in 2013 and tackled real-life issues facing teens, with a second season that was shown a year later.

Now the show is back after 4 years but as a fully-fledged drama series with its own timeslot, consisting out of 13 episodes of 24 minutes each.

The new Signal High season has a new cast including Amanda (Unathi Sokhela) and her fellow students Zolani (Misha Solanga), Zakes (Daluxolo Xusha), Zuko (Ntobeko Shishi), Winnie (Zimasa Dyani) and Sam (Tyron McKinnon) as they navigate the highs and lows of teen life at a school grappling with transformation and reconstruction.

The new season also touches on Signal High’s struggling principal, Mrs Crawford (Lynita Crofford), its militant and ambitious vice principal, Mr Motsamayi (Sakhumzi Mbele), and new teacher and avid student supporter, Ms Goodman (Stephanie Schildknecht).

"As before, Signal High’s third outing will weave together the social issues that teens face with must-see drama for an engaging look at what it means to grow up in modern South Africa," says the producers.

SABC2's Hectic Nine-9 from Okuhle Media reaches its 2000th episode on Tuesday; will feature Freshlyground and fans to help celebrate.

When the cameras roll tomorrow, Tuesday 25 August, the youth focused afternoon programming block Hectic Nine-9 on SABC2 will reach its 2000th episode

Since 2007 Hectic Nine-9, also abbreviated as Hn9, has seen a revolving door of teen presenters come and go as the show grew not just its timeslot ratings but also its timeslot duration to an hour from the beginning of 2012.

As the production changed studios a few times over the past 8 years, incorporated social media and tackled current youth issues, it also incorporated the highly successful and well-liked teen drama mini-series Signal High.

Former Hectic Nine-9 presenter Danilo Acquisto who moved behind the scenes as producer, transitioned earlier this year to SABC3's weekday afternoon variety and talk show Afternoon Express.

The Hectic Nine-9 studio hosted not only local bands and celebrities but saw soccer teams, dance crews, horses, a cheetah and even a 45 member choir visit.

Hectic Nine-9, currently broadcasting Mondays to Fridays at 16:00 on SABC2, is produced by Okuhle Media in Cape Town and is currently being done live daily from MagnaTude Studios in Observatory, sourcing content from all of South Africa's provinces.

"I am incredibly proud of the growth of the show," says executive producer Louise McClelland. "Hectic Nine-9 touches lives every day, in a way we never expected.”

"2000 episodes is a milestone most TV shows only dream of reaching," says Wilna van Schalkwyk, series producer. "What a proud moment to see this incredible show grow into one of the biggest and most successful youth shows produced in South Africa."

"Eight years of Hectic Nine-9 means that a person who started watching the show when they were 12 is now 20 – a significant leap – and our interaction with this viewer shows us a fun, creative, determined and independent thinker who has his or her future firmly in their hands," says Mpumi Ngidi, SABC commissioning editor of the show.

Tuesday's 2000th episode will celebrate the milestone in style on-air with band Freshlyground making an appearance and performing. Hectic Nine-9 will also have fans in the studio.

At the moment Hectic Nine-9 producers are working on a technological treasure hunt celebrating South Africa's diversity. From there the show goes into planning episodes for the upcoming festive season at the end of the year and then brainstorming the new season.

Local teen high school drama, Signal High, returning to SABC2's Hectic Nine-9 for a second season.

The locally produced high school drama set in Cape Town, Signal High, is returning to SABC2's afternoon youth programming block Hectic Nine-9 for a second miniseries season.

The second season of Signal High produced by Okuhle Media will start on SABC2 in Hectic Nine-9 on Tuesday, 16 September and continue dealing as an educational dramatic show with issues like bullying, deceit, lying, homosexuality and cheating.

"At the heart of the show are topics ranging from prescription drugs, sexuality, disability and even initiation," says Noleen Nagel, the content producer of Signal High's second season.

"Not only are the youth able to be represented, but they also gain insights into the circumstances affecting the lives of other young South Africans across the traditional and cultural spectrum".

"I felt a real sense of intensity on set in this year," says David Stein, Hectic Nine-9 producer. "I believe that this was because the issues we were addressing are so real and cut so close to the vein for many young people in this country".

David Stein says Signal High is made as great drama and entertainment, but that the show is committed to dealing with real issues in a responsible and sensitive way.

The second season of Signal High was shot at Delia Sainsbury & Paul Griffiths' Waterfront Theatre School with last season's cast which returned to set.

"The Waterfront Theatre School is once again delighted to be associated with Signal High and the creative team from Okuhle Media," says Paul Griffiths. "The benefits for our students of having this opportunity to work closely with an experienced production team on such an exciting project cannot be underestimated".

The shoot schedule for this season was significantly longer and more elaborate with a more extensive narrative and an epic and dramatic ending, including the much anticipated Signal High talent show".