Local television shows have for years sparked online and office corridor debates that there's no doubt that one of the things South Africans have in common is their love for local tv content. Social media platforms are constantly abuzz with #tags that have become daily key discussion points for many tv lovers. Need I mention Black twitter? We breakdown five South African shows that deserve your attention right now:
Gomora – Mzansi Magic
Internationally renowned Connie Chiume plays Mam'Sonto Molefe in Gomora
Seriti Pictures' latest TV offering Gomora is a bold take into the societal contrast that exist between a life in the leafy Sandton suburbs and the buzzing Alexandra township. The show named Gomora as Alexandra is commonly known, explores disparities between the two classes of society by digging and zooming into the realities of life in the congested, taxi-hooting township. The show's use and introduction of new talent has given it thumbs up from open-up-the-industry brigade. Gomora's storylines crack into the long-forgotten holes of societal rots exposing dysfunctional families, infidelity and criminal acts which almost becomes a common middle ground between characters in the two worlds depicted.
Dinner at Somizis – 1 Magic
Dinner at Somizi’s
TV personality Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung' star has been rising rapidly over the past few years. He is one pony who has done all the tricks in the game and with each attempt he seems to just keep rising. His latest TV show Dinner at Somizi's is 1 Magic's latest lifestyle offering that sees the star entertaining a host of his celebrity friends at his house over dinner. The show twists between the kitchen and the couch where Mhlongo-Motaung has an in depth tete-a-tete with his guests around the latest happenings in their lives. From a distance one would easily paint Dinner at Somizi's as another cooking show, but the clever spice is in how the producers have kept away from following a traditional cooking show format.
Skeem Saam – SABC 1
Skeem Saam is one of the top watched shows in South Africa
Originally set in Turfloop, a small Sepedi speaking township in Limpopo outside Polokwane, Skeem Saam is one of the long running popular local soapies across racial groups. The show which started as a limited series following the lives of high school kids transcended into a household soapie that delved into a variety of storylines viewers could relate to. The show has made its name for fearlessly tackling societal issues ranging from relationships, masculinity, Gender-Based Violence etc. but what stands out most about Skeem Saam is that unlike other indigenous South African productions centralized around a particular language and tribe, they have managed to successfully expand to other locations and integrate diverse characters into the existing storylines.
Still Breathing – Showmax
Still Breathing
The 13-episode series now on Showmax, premiered on February 27th with a tagline "In short, it's all about love, death – and the mess in-between". The show features a talented multicultural cast from all facets of South Africa and with all those differences that could easily present a challenge, the writers managed to intertwine these characters with ease. The show follows a group of friends who come together after a tragedy, exploring the issues of complicated relationships, betrayal and love among others.
Housekeepers – Mzansi Magic
Thando Thabethe stars as Linda on Housekeepers
The second season of the gripping series starring Thando Thabethe is currently in flight on Mzansi Magic and hoarders like myself can catch all the saved episodes on Showmax for some shameless indulgence. Thabethe potrays the shy-faced domestic worker protagonist Linda, who seems to love spilling and mopping blood off her wealthy employers' floors. Angered and revenge-driven, Linda's story becomes one with bloody twists, death, running and constantly trying to fix the past wrongs. Housekeepers deliver one of TVs most nail-biting experiences that is worthy of every eyeball.
