Fashioning Modern Africanism

Fans of the hugely popular and award-winning NBCUniversal Format franchise The Real Housewives can look forward to the opulence, drama and new faces when the hotly awaited latest addition to the local series, The Real Housewives of Cape Town (RHOCT) premieres on Mzansi Magic on 10 July 2022. The Real Housewives of Cape Town marks the 17th international version of the franchise, and the 4th to be adapted in Africa. The franchise is distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. “We look forward to premiering this exciting new addition on Mzansi Magic, which will no doubt keep our audience hooked and will undoubtedly be of the premium quality our viewers have grown accustomed to,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net. She continues: “This may be a global franchise, but our spin on it is very much South African. The storylines explored on the show and the cast’s

Meet the dangerous new family joining  The River They are headed by the traditional patriarch Bukhosi (played by  Bheki Mkhwane), who is as quick with his brain as he is with his gun. With a military past that comes in handy for his work as a heist king, he’s brash, outspoken and charming. He’s made of steel – so he’s not the one to cross. He brings with him his younger second wife, Nomafu (played by Brenda Mhlongo). Beneath her shiny and well-groomed exterior is a tough woman who has clawed her way out of poverty. She’s a terrible stepmother but she knows how to clean money – and she’s set to become Lindiwe Dikana’s biggest rival yet. Then there are the Hlophe sons – Mlilo (played by Vuyo Biyela) and Nkanyiso (played by Unathi Mkhize). The product of Bukhosi’s first marriage, they have a strained relationship with their father, but he wants them to take over the family business. Mlilo is nothing like his father – yet he’s everything like this father. Nkanyiso, on the other hand, is th

The first episode starts with Somizi listening, for the first time, to the leaked audio of Mohale’s abuse allegations. This is followed by a frank video call with Vusi Nova, where they discuss how Somizi feels and some of Mohale’s claims about Somizi’s sex life. This sets the tone for an explosive episode, which also features  Lockdown  star Lorcia Cooper asking Somgaga directly, “Did you hit him?”.  “ Living The Dream With Somizi S4  won the 2020 SAFTA, while  Somizi & Mohale: The Union  broke Showmax’s then-record for first day views when it launched,” says Candice Fangueiro, Showmax’s head of content. “So having shown fans the build-up to the wedding, and the ceremonies themselves, for balance, we wanted to also explore everything that followed.”    Watch the trailer:  The season starts in the second half of 2021, with Somgaga’s career at a crossroads: he is taking time off from  Idols a nd Metro FM, and has replaced his management team with himself. “If I thought iCovid was the

Fancy having a Candid conversation in the middle of goat yoga, anyone? How about a relaxed dinner after an intense archery session? 1Magic’s newest talk show,   Downtime with Somizi,   will give viewers this and more when it debuts on DStv Channel 103 on 1 April 2022. Hosted by the multi-talented entertainer Somizi Mhlongo, the new 13-episode series is a talk show with a twist: Somizi chats with a pair of guests during an activity that takes them outside of their comfort zone as they take part in an outrageously fun and quirky experience for the first time, before heading to a relaxed and lowkey dinner where themed topics will be explored in-depth.   From Peggy-Sue Khumalo and Connie Ferguson talking about the beauty of love and the pain of loss, to Ntsiki Mazwai and Thandiswa Mazwai waxing lyrical about telling it like it is ,  Downtime with Somizi  will offer viewers a deeper glimpse into some of the most famous and celebrated names in the country.   Of course, sharing a meal with So

In  Recipes for Love and Murder , nothing is as it seems – even in a sleepy and sweet little town called Eden. Here is 5 Reasons to Tune in every Sunday at 8pm on  M-Net, DStv Channel 101, starting 20 March. It is witty and relatable Whether you’re from a small town and therefore recognise the characters, or you’re someone who enjoys having their nose in other people’s business, like Tannie Maria, you will easily fall in love with some of these characters. While the story has its moments of darkness, it is wrapped in wit and charm that will warm your heart.   The storyline is gripping Who doesn’t love a good whodunit? Just like the beloved book series, the show has twists and turns that will keep you entertained until the very last episode.   The performances are stellar From the heavyweight co-leads to the strong supporting cast that ranges from veterans to newcomers, each performance is scene-stealing. The cast deliver the goods not just as an ensemble, but as their individual charac

    Carolyna Hutchings, Laura Ikeji, Chioma Ikokwu, Toyin Lawani-Adebayo, Iyabo Ojo & Mariam Timmer unveiled as cast The Real Housewives of Lagos  ( RHOLagos ) will debut exclusively on Showmax on 8 April 2022, with new episodes every Friday.  RHOLagos  follows the opulent lives of six of the most glamorous women in Lagos, Nigeria.  Carolyna Hutchings is the CEO of Hutchings Limited, a real estate, oil and gas, and agriculture company. She is also the founder of Hopeville Foundation, an NGO that caters to women and children. Hutchings is a mother of three beautiful kids.  Laura Ikeji is a social media influencer, author, and entrepreneur. Ikeji is a mother of two, married to former Super Eagles star Christopher Kanu. Chioma Ikokwu is a lawyer as well as co-founder and CEO of luxury hair brand Good Hair Ltd, and Brass and Copper Restaurant & Lounge. She also runs a women- and children-focused charity called the Goodway Foundation. Chioma has never been married. Toyin Lawani-Adeb

Now streaming on Showmax,  Grand Crew  follows a group of young Black professionals who gather at their favourite bar to wine down and unpack the ups and downs of life and love in LA, proving that life is always better with your crew. The sitcom is created by Phil Augusta Jackson ( Brooklyn Nine-Nine ,  Insecure ,  Key & Peele ), with Oscar winner Matthew A. Cherry ( Hair Love ) and  Brooklyn Nine-Nine  actor Melissa Fumero among the directors.   Buzzfeed  calls  Grand Crew  “a TV game changer”, “a television gem” and “a black sitcom that’s for everyone.”  Nicky (triple-Emmy nominee Nicole Byer from  Nailed It! ) is a go-getter in both real estate and romance, while her brother Noah ( Arrow ’s Curtis Holt / Mr Terrific, Echo Kellum) is a hopeless romantic too eager to settle down. Sherm (comedian Carl Tart, who writes on  Kenan ) is a low-key genius who plays the dating odds, Anthony (Aaron Jennings from  Pure Genius ) is mostly in love with his career, and Wyatt (Justin Cunningham

During the month of love, DStv is spreading the love through a wide selection of romantic local and international content. Let me take you on a journey to relive some of your favourite moments from the best love stories we have seen.  Check out the movies, reality shows and series we selected for you this month. Looking for Love (M-Net Movies 4 – DStv Channel 108; 29 February 2022; 20:30)  A single, unaccomplished Zulu woman struggles to find Mr Right in the pitiless concrete jungle of Johannesburg before she turns 40. With the help of friends, she opens herself up to romantic adventure and learns that her heart has been in the right place all along. Starring; Celeste Ntuli, Trevor Gumbi and Phindile Gwala   The Proposal (M-Net Movies1 – DStv Channel 104; 26 February 2022; 20:00)  Margaret Tate is a high-powered publisher whose presence in a room strikes fear into the hearts of all men, except her loyal assistant Andrew. When an immigration issue threatens her progress at the company,

Known for his charisma and impressive acting chops, the versatile and multitalented Lawrence Maleka will be adding another prestigious gig to his profile – as the presenter of the new season of  Big Brother Mzansi season 3 .   Big Brother Mzansi  will premiere on Sunday 23 January 2022 live on DStv Channel 161 Mzansi Magic. Beloved by many for his portrayal of Zolani on the hit 1Magic telenovela  The River ,  the SAFTA winner is also a celebrated TV presenter and host, having previously hosted Africa Magic Entertainment’s  StarGist , Mzansi Magic’s  Clash of the Choirs  and co-hosted the 2021 South African Music Awards, among others. “I’m excited to be part of this installment of  Big Brother Mzansi . The franchise has become a massive phenomenon in African as well as South African pop culture, and I’m happy to join in the fun as a presenter. The fan base is huge and massively loyal – it’s an honour to be part of such a fantastic production,” says Maleka. Shirley Adonisi, recently appo

Mzansi Magic’s red-hot original drama lineup will see two fantastic new additions in October: the Sthandiwe Kgoroge-led Sunday night thriller,  Umkhokha , and the Zandile Msutwana-starring family drama  Grootboom and Sons , which will take over Monday nights. Umkhokha  is an intriguing take on power and betrayal, while  Grootboom and  Sons follows a family at war over their legacy.  Umkhokha  is another excellent addition to our Sunday night roster, which continues to perform exceptionally well with Mzansi Magic audiences “ Our dramas are the top viewed on DStv Compact during their  time slots. We’re delighted to have such successes and are inspired to keep bringing our viewers content that keeps them glued to their screens. We are confident that both Umkhokha with Grootboom and sons will continue this winning formula,” says Nomsa Philiso Director of Local Entertainment Channels at Mnet Umkhokha  a story about two families at war with each other, Sthandiwe Kgoroge (Mzansi Magic’s  The

S outh African National Parks (SANParks) today announced that it will be launching a 13 week Reality Television Series on 7 October 2021 at 21:30 on Mzansi Magic DSTV channel 161. Hosted by popular actress Rami Chuene and renowned life coach Romeo Mabasa, the series titled Away for Repair will showcase the heartfelt stories of ordinary people taking much-needed time away to mend broken bonds. SANParks Managing Executive: Tourism Development and Marketing, Hapiloe Sello, said, “Away for Repair, will treat viewers to an emotional roller-coaster as four teams of two undergo a relationship boot camp against the spectacular backdrops of seven of South Africa’s prime National Parks”.   Through this series we will be showcasing the diversity of our parks to the Mzansi Magic audience as well as the range of fun and educational activities available in these destinations. We also felt it important to emphasise the value of spending time in nature on emotional wellbeing – how the National Parks a

Is there a family member with a more polarising reputation than the mother-in-law? The mere mention of her makes one shudder, and the person who often bears the brunt of her anger is the makoti, or the daughter-in-law. But is mmatswale, or mother-in-law, always the problem? Is the man in the middle his mother’s son or his wife’s husband first? And can this historically challenging relationship ever be fixed? These are questions that the new 13-part 1Magic reality show  Abasemzini  answers when it premieres on 03 September. It will see mother- and daughter-in-law pairs move into a house to undergo a bootcamp, where psychological professionals will not only help them air their grievances but, put them through a series of exercises and challenges that will get them to a healthy and productive place. “The aim of  Abasemzini  is to  restore happy families and equip both parties with conflict management skills they can use in their everyday lives. It will be an emotional journey for both par

New sitcom Young Rock traces the early years of wrestling legend and top actor Dwayne Johnson •The show has a 90% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where they say, “Anchored by a winsome ensemble, Young Rock is an endearing peek behind the curtain of both Dwayne Johnson's childhood and the wild world of wrestling” •  #32 on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the Best TV Shows of 2021 So Far •Already renewed for a second season Dwayne Johnson might be the nicest guy ever to beat people up for a living. With his cocksure charm, killer smile and willingness to be the butt of the joke, the wrestling phenomenon we all know as The Rock is the consummate showman. But even the world’s biggest star started out small. Dwayne’s latest TV offering,  Young Rock , now on Showmax, is a sitcom based on his own life. The 11-part first season goes back to Dwayne’s roots as a 10-year-old in Hawaii, his high school years in Pennsylvania, and his university years in Miami, all within the (as yet) fictional fram

Iconic moments with Tebo Moema is a Soweto TV Talk show that seeks to challenge the stereotypes to transform the community to see Queer as Normative. Hosted by Rev. Tebo Moema, a 55 yes old married pastor and motivational speaker who describes himself as a revolutionary, care-free, articulate and extremely liberated pastor who preaches the Gospel of Love, Unity and  Family Support- which he terms the "The Vortex of Power " " I am very excited and I can't wait for the viewers to watch as my guests share their stories of hope. These people are the Heros in our communities. The LGBTQI+ community makes up a small part of our community at large but their stories are also important. South Africans are still not well informed about the LGBTQI+ and this is an opportunity to learn a thing or two as we engage and inform them" Said Pastor Moema The show premiers this friday the 19th March on SowetoTV at 7:00PM. We get to see Mr Moema seating in conversation with President