“Rhythm City” is a dramatic series on the free-to-air TV channel e.tv. The show follows the ups and downs of people trying to break into the music industry. It handles adult subject matter like sex and drug addiction. Critics have been surprised at the show’s success since it follows a very similar format to a competitor show, “Backstage”. It also airs in Ghana on the same network, according to Ovguide.com.
“My Perfect Family” on TV channel SABC1 is a sitcom that follows the life of fictional teen soap star, Luyanda Nkosi, as he navigates stardom and a dysfunctional family. The main character often has to play parent to his parents while also managing a career, according to Sabc.co.za.
“Scandal” is a soap opera that follows the lives of the employees — and their friends and family — at the newspaper, The Voice. It’s a show about the different ways people pursue their dreams — some honestly, and some willing to do anything to have their way. It airs on the E! network where it’s the most-viewed program, according to Tvsa.co.za.
This SABC1 mini-series is based on the Shakespeare play, “Taming of the Shrew” and it follows three couples with vastly different careers — farming, cosmetics industry — through the trials and tribulations of love. The romantic comedy is part of a larger series called the “Shakespeare in Mzansi” strand, which also adapted Shakespeare classics like “King Lear” and “Romeo and Juliet”. It began as a four-hour miniseries but has turned into a show with 13 half-hour episodes per season, according to Tvsa.co.za.
“Skeem Saam” broadcasts on SABC1 and is a soap opera about three teenage boys growing into manhood in a Limpopo township. The main characters tackle issues such as gender relations, self esteem and masculinity, and the show works to tear apart gender roles. The first two seasons of the show aired weekly, but by season three the show began to air daily, according to Tvsa.co.za.
“End Game” is a political drama that airs on SABC1. The show revolves around the fictional wife of an environmental minister, delving into her marital problems, scandals in the world of politics, conspiracies and murder plots. It sheds light on the difficult position of a politician’s wife who often needs to set aside personal needs for the good of a husband’s career. The show’s tagline is “love is what you can still betray,” according to Smtvguide.blogspot.com.
“Generations” airs on SABC 1, and averaged over 7 million viewers in 2015. The show has been on the air since 1994 and production stopped in 2014, but old episodes still play. “Generations” is set against the backdrop of the cut-throat advertising industry in South Africa. The show stopped because 16 of the principal actors refused to work due to wage cuts, according to Sabreakingnews.co.za.
“Uzalo” follows two family dynasties heavily involved in their church, as well as in the local crime world. The show airs on SABC1, and it stars well-known actors like “Hotel Rwanda”’s Leleti Khumalo. The production team also focuses on casting mostly local actors. The show’s premiere in 2015 brought in 5 million viewers, according to Drum.co.za.
