Somhale Breaks Viewing Records

Television Reporter Television 2020-02-27 22:00:01

More than half of the catalogue of TV shows and movies on Showmax, whether measured in hours or number of episodes, is now local content. This deliberate shift to local started more than a year ago with shows like The River and The Queen, and more recently with Lockdown and Kwa Mam’Mkhize. And now the latest Showmax Original, Somizi and Mohale: The Union, is breaking viewing records.

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Knuckle City: Fisticuffs & Redemption in Mdantsane

Culture Reporter Television 2020-02-10 22:00:00

Set in the poor, rural town of Mdantsane, known as the boxing mecca of Mzansi, Qubeka’s film follows the anarchical descent of the two brothers into a hellish life as they are driven to the brink by an all-too-familiar toxic masculinity that breaks them down. Over and above a tale of men and boxing, ‘Knuckle City’ is in fact the story of a family’s ability to maintain some sort of unity in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

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Papa Penny Ahee!

Kulani Nkuna Television 2020-01-06 22:00:00

“Back in the day, Tsonga people used to hide their Tsonganess, especially in Johannesburg. They would easily speak other languages and hide their true selves and heritage. This is slowly changing, but there are some who are still in hiding. My show plays a very important role in getting those in hiding to come out.

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Massive Zondo

Kulani Nkuna Television 2019-11-01 02:14:44

Then enter Zondo, a Newcastle dreamer who recorded her own Friday show in her room for an audience of zero. She watched on intrigued as Matheba enthralled the nation every Friday night, and vowed to occupy that space one day in the future.

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Unfollowing The Herd

Kulani Nkuna Television 2019-09-11 04:20:13

These films were subject to the approval of the dystopian censor’s board which was created to quell rebellion. The black captive audience consumed these representations which were “overt vehicles for purveying traditionalism,” as Feinberg noted.

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Material Culture: On Brotherhood, Survival and Looking Good

Vuyiswa Xekatwane Television 2019-07-25 20:00:00

For many South Africans, the words “izikhotane” or “material culture” conjure up images of lavishly dressed young men and women dancing and flaunting various luxury items from clothes to alcohol brands and even the quintessential South African desert, Ultra Mel custard. From what many have perceived to be an obscene display of extravagance, a whole new community and subculture, traversing music, dance, and fashion, has emerged.

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Tjovitjo – For Us By Us

Kulani Nkuna Television 2018-04-29 20:00:00

I hope that our efforts and energy will be reflected on screen. I think Tjovitjo is one of the realest township stories that has ever been told. It’s not based in Soweto, it’s not based in Alex, and it’s not based in any specific township. It’s based in a world where there is hardship, hopes, dreams and problems. It is about us and our lives.

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