So I have gotten a lot
of criticism for criticizing Television so much, some people read my posts and assume I am a negative person all together, which I am but its not the point in this case....I humbly apologize to those
whose feels were squashed and to Mfundi Vundla, whom without having created a
bad shows I wouldn’t have content for my blog. Although I critically analyze mainly
bad things about TV Shows, I do enjoy watching good Television.
South Africa’s film and
Television industry has evolved over the years, especially in terms of themes
used to fabricate the story lines, it is interesting to see what creative arts
people come up with every now and then especially within a post-colonial
context.
Shows come and go, some we forget, some leave marks in our hearts (No,
I am not talking about Generations!.. Mfundi wishes). I watch contemporary TV shows and feel uninspired so here are some of the
score(20 years) defining shows that Blessed South African Television. some have already made some comebacks
1.
Soul Buddies
This
is by far my favorite South African show. If you watched this while growing up
you will remember the diverse youth group comprising of Zandi, Siya, Karabo,
Jerome, Avril, Praveena, Duma, Hamilton, etc. that was more like a beacon of hope for our
rainbow nation. The show revolved around the youngsters' coming of age in a
post-apartheid South Africa, it addressed various issues that are challenging
the contemporary South African society such as AIDS, unemployment, bullying, gangs, gaps in
Social classes, issues about the environment, HIV-Aids, sexuality, racism and xenophobia, learning disabilities, children's rights and justice.
2.
Velaphi Mjongeni
Velaphi is an early 90s South African comedy starring Ray Ntlokwana, as Velaphi, who plays the part of a messenger for a print and advertising company.
Although
South African might have Trevor Noah, Loyiso Gola and Chester Missing (the
Puppet) as some of our stand-up comedians, we do suck at Situational comedy (Sitcom).
Before City Sesla and Moferefere lenyalong came into the scene, Velaphi was
KINDA good. KINDA. For me, language was a strong barrier but I did enjoy
watching the clumsy, Melo-dramatic tea lady Nandi, she was
entertaining.
3.
Lesilo rula
I
strongly believe (Insert writer’s name) might have had a disturbing childhood
which he put to good use. Lesilo was a comedy-drama based on Raitlhwanwa ’s life
experiences who was acquainted with a disturbing ghost from a cemetery, every
time he wants to manipulate a situation to his advantage he would call on
“Lesilo” through a whistle –like object he ties around his neck, Lesilo who
would then come to his rescue. One time he couldn’t afford a meal at a
restaurant, Raitlhwanwa asked Lesilo to steal meat from other people’s plates. I
thought this Horror series was more funny than scary. Gareth Cliff mentioned to Somizi on Idols that he loved watching the show as a kid,
that must count for something right?
4.
Molo fish
It had
nothing to do with fish ಠ_ಠ arrg!
It examined the lives of the black
peoples of this country during the chaotic years
of imposing apartheid.
Apartheid was so “grand” that even black people were subdivided into “nations”, while white people
were perceived to have remained one whole entity irrespective of their different
European roots. The series looks at the politics of
the time, focusing on “the big divide” of nationalities in South Africa into Coloureds,
Africans, Indians and Whites, and how people crossed over into the different classifications -
Africans became Coloured to live a better life, while fair
skinned Coloureds moved into the
White world.
The story is told in flashbacks
through the mind of a Coloured South African political refugee living in Canada, where he is
married to a White Canadian. As a youngster, he grew up in a coloured area of Johannesburg
with his coloured parents, but his grandmother lived in an African township reserved for
Africans.
5.
Ke bona boloi
Not the Hollywood glamourized version of witchcraft
The
name being controversial itself, Ke bona boloi (loosely translates to ‘I
see witchcraft’) presented a controversial topic in the African society, that
of witchcraft. In a small rural area, dark skinned old women were accused of
being involved in witchcraft practices, they were then yoked with car tires around their
necks together as one they where burned to death in front of the whole
community. The show received negative reception from black South Africans, especially those
residing in rural areas where most old innocent women were being targeted as
objects for witch-hunts. The show was cancelled eventually. I enjoyed watching,
although I was still young and not able to critically analyze the show, it
interesting how as black South Africans are still governed by the idea that
BLACK represents evil, witchcraft (there is no white magic right?)
6.
Yizo Yizo
Who
can forget Ronnie(Cosmo) or Zola as Papa action, before he was "a fallen celeb"(He is hosting Utatakho on Mzanzi magic, suck on that Haters!), Chester who bite
huge apples with his forced blonde hair, Hazel, Bobo, Nomsa ,Thiza and the rest of the high school learners?, The show focused on a Johannesburg township
secondary school learners(who looked way too old to still be in high school.
But it’s none of my business) dealing with Gang violence, Gang rape, Murders, drug abuse etc.
7.
Bophelo Ke semphekgo
I
strongly feel Duma KaNdlovu might have copied one of the main plots of this show to Muvhango,
the Love triangle between Matete, Nkwesheng and Senthaolele. Redone through the
Love triangle between Thandaza, Edward and Doobsie and Mfundi Vundla didn't want to miss out as well, he brought the triangle between Kenneth Mashaba, Dineo Mashaba and Kenneth's son Thomas, but Mfundi pushed the cart to creepyville when Dineo later dated Kenneth's brother-Paul Mashaba. I digressed..so Bophelo ke Semphekgo was my
mother’s favourite show. I watched it by extension. I found it awesome.
The Catfights, Love triangles, Mothers-in-law and not to forget that Our beloved Seputla Sebogodi(Kenneth Mashaba on Generations) came into the scene as the promiscuous Nkwesheng, a role that was previously played by Patrick Shai.
8.
Home affairs
Sometimes
actresses like Brenda Ngxoli really deserve a standing ovation. No, she deserves
an Oscar. She won my heart while acting on Home affairs as Vuyo, a sister to a
troubled teenager, Buli, who stays at a township shack with their alcoholic
mother, while Brenda goes through varsity and life as a victim of unfortunate
circumstances. The series also tells the story of other different women whose
lives are interconnected, the story reflect the wide cultural range of South
African women. The women each undertake a journey of self-discovery, connecting
with each other in various and random ways.
9.
Sokhulu and Partners
Sokhulu&Partners explores all aspects of the South African constitution and bill of rights and how they look in practice, it revolves around the lives of three partners in a law firm who help clients who have been unfairly treated. I wasn’t a super fan
of this show but only liked it because it gave us a glimpse into how the South
African legal system operates. Its also nice to see something local
and not AMERICAN like Law and Order or Boston legal(No offense to Americans but
with the Americanization of South African going on, you can see why I root for
shows that portray our daily realities as a country)
10. Backstage
A youth-soap opera in which kids from different backgrounds in South Africa come to a
college of performing arts in downtown Johannesburg.
The story follows a variety of characters as they experience the trials and tribulations of performers all trying to be the best in the performing arts sector. Besides college and the pressures it brings, the story also revolves around the personal life of the students dealing with love, passion and betrayal throughout the plot.
I only got hooked on watching Backstage during the times of Gammy the gangster, Ziggy who had a twin, Coco, Luyanda , etc. it bored me along the way (but still 10 times a better show than Generations the legacy)
11. Gaz'lam
Gazlam was an educational drama series that explored love, sex and relationships against a backdrop of HIV/AIDS.
12. Soul City
HIV/AIDS…why
is it that all South African shows include this particular theme?
Why we NO have
something that has to do with Vampires, Werewolves...all those artefacts? jk,South Africans wont buy into a mystic show without the Tokoloshe. This show is still relevant for contemporary South Africa, a country that
has an alarming growth of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy, you would
think the government would fund shows like these to educate the public about HIV/AIDS. But No!
What do we get? Generations the legacy…sad, really.
13. Muvhango
(Before it sank at the Boringshows ocean)
Don’t
act like you didn’t know I was going to include and conclude with a “Venda”
show. I can’t write much on this one, if you need to read more on why it was
one of the best shows in the past, read my last post here Muvhango is sinking!
Thanks for reading 😊
