Tag Archives: Mzansi Magic

Mzansi Magic readies new telenovela

Gqeberha: The Empire

MultiChoice-owned South African entertainment channel Mzansi Magic will premiere a new telenovela at the start of next week.

Launching on January 16, Gqeberha: The Empire is produced by Tshedza Pictures, the Johannesburg-based prodco behind shows such as 100% Youth and Come Again.

The show follows a man (played by Mbulelo Grootboom) who seemingly has it all: family, love, money, power, glory, respect – and three wives. The three different yet strong women are played by Zikhona Sodlaka, Zandile Msutwana and Kay Bikitsha.

The cast also includes Phila Madlingozi, Anele Matoti, Unati Guma and Akhenime Mfenyana.

Shirley Adonisi, director of local entertainment channels at MultiChoice’s channels arm M-Net, said: “Mzansi Magic is excited to premiere a new telenovela, which is one of the genres our channel is known for and that our viewers enjoy greatly.

“With its premiere, we are excited to expand into Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape – a first for the telenovela world. With the incredible quality of storytelling from one of the top production houses on the continent, we are optimistic that the audiences will fall in love with the series.”

Gqeberha: The Empire is filmed entirely in the Eastern Cape and will debut on January 16 at 21.00 on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161).

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Mzansi Magic lines up new drama Magaeng

South African network Mzansi Magic, part of the MultiChoice bouquet of channels on satellite TV platform DStv, is set to debut a new drama series next week.

Khabonina Qubeka

Launching on July 10, Magaeng is a story of fame, betrayal and witness protection. It revolves around a confident and ambitious woman, played by Khabonina Qubeka, who is ready to embark on a journey to fame by joining a popular reality show. Determined to distance herself from her family’s criminal past, she aims to leave her mark on the world.

Other cast members include Themba Ndaba, Thato Molamu, Tinah Mnumzane, Sdumo Mtshali, Kagiso Rakosa, Phupho Gumede and Lethabo Mathatho. Magaeng is produced by Johannesburg-based Burnt Onion Productions.

Shirley Adonisi, director of local entertainment channels at MultiChoice-owned M-Net, said: “Monday nights on Mzansi Magic are for compelling shows filled with secrets, suspense and unexpected twists. Magaeng brings a fresh and thrilling storyline that will keep viewers glued to their screens.

“With its flawless blend of drama and comedy, Magaeng promises to be an apt complement to the thrilling reality shows that dominate the weekdays. It’s a show that reflects the diversity and richness of South African television, and we believe it will resonate with viewers who want compelling narratives and engaging performances.”

Magaeng will premiere on Monday July 10 on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) at 20.00.

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Mzansi Magic brings back Ayeye

Ayeye: Stripped stars Rosemary Zimu

MultiChoice-owned South African entertainment channel Mzansi Magic is set to launch a new season of drama series Ayeye, titled Ayeye: Stripped, seven years after the first run aired.

The first season of the series premiered in 2015 and followed the story of three male best friends who live together, navigating messy love lives, testy friendships and soaring careers.

The 13-part new series tells the story of a mum who becomes an adult content creator in order to maintain her lifestyle after her baby-daddy dies and his family takes everything. This forces her to find other ways to retain her lavish lifestyle and to keep her son off the street.

Ayeye: Stripped is produced by award-winning production company Seriti Film and is set in Johannesburg’s swanky Bryanston district.

With actor and singer Rosemary Zimu (Champagne, Savage) in the lead role, the show also stars radio personality Zama Ngcobo, Big Brother Mzansi S3’s Luthando ‘BU’ Mthembu, soap actor Kealeboga Masango, Moya Maweni, Abomama’s Pabee Moganedi, social media star Tebogo Thobejane and Isibaya’s Charles Phasha.

According to its producers, the Ayeye series will be adapted into an anthology show where each new season features different faces and new stories within a similar universe.

Shirley Adonisi, director of local entertainment channels at Multichoice’s M-Net, said: “As a channel, we’re adaptable and ahead of the curve, which is why we’re embracing the anthology format for some of our shows. The first season of Ayeye gave viewers plenty to talk about and this new season is just as topical.

“It’s important that we keep up with what’s happening in the world around us and reflect that on screen. It’s also exciting for our DStv Compact subscribers to be among the first to get this show on their screens.”

Ayeye: Stripped will debut on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) on August 5 at 20.00. The first season of Ayeye aired on the 1Magic channel, also part of the MultiChoice group of channels.

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Idols SA returns for season 18

Idols SA judges

South African talent/reality show Idols SA is back for an 18th season, after debuting in the country in 2002.

The show is based on popular UK show Pop Idol, which debuted on ITV in 2001 and has been produced in more than 50 territories, including the US. The format is distributed by Fremantle.

The South African adaptation aims to determine the best young singer in South Africa and is set to debut on MNet-owned SA network Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) at 17.30 on July 17.

Under the theme Singing a Different Tune, this year’s show will see 16 hopefuls compete.

The judges who will nurture and usher in these new talents including pop culture icon Thembi Seete, rapper/producer extraordinaire JR Bogopa and multi-talented choreographer and TV star Somizi Mhlongo, while the host will be co-executive producer Tebogo ‘ProVerb’ Thekisho.

Shirley Adonisi, director of local entertainment channels at MNet, said: “Idols SA is back! As much as it is about the music, it is also about the people. We are proud to unearth new and emerging talent, and our viewers form emotional connections with the singers as we follow along their journey from audition stage to making a career from their passion. We are excited to see who season 18 brings us.

“We are also excited to welcome our new headline sponsor, Standard Bank, as a valued partner for this season. They have, over the years, proven to be passionate about making dreams come true, and our winners should look forward to a basket of great prizes, which will be announced in due course.”

Lindy Lou Alexander, head of brand and marketing at Standard Bank, added: “True to our values at Standard Bank, we want to give South Africans the tools and support they need to achieve their dreams and aspirations and this sponsorship helps us do just that. It’s all about taking the first steps to building your dreams and believing that it can be a reality. We’re really excited to be part of the journey, all the best to those fighting to make their dreams a reality.”

Berenike Trytsman (aka Berry) from Cape Town emerged as the winner of season 17.

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The Real Housewives arrive in Cape Town

The Real Housewives of Cape Town

NBCUniversal format The Real Housewives is set to launch its fourth local African adaptation, The Real Housewives of Cape Town, on the Mzansi Magic channel next month.

The news comes after the successful debuts of previous iterations The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, The Real Housewives of Durban and The Real Housewives of Lagos on the MultiChoice-owned network.

The Real Housewives of Cape Town, which will debut on July 10 at 19.00, features a group of powerful and affluent women who are beloved, enigmatic and often misunderstood.

They represent diverse social backgrounds and are an eccentric mix of new and old money, connected by one common thread: their desire to run the Mother City.

The shows features Beverley Steyn, a property owner and investor with a love of planes, yachts, fast cars and a luxury lifestyle; Rushda Moosajee, a qualified trainer and mother of three with a fitness empire and an impressive social media presence; Loveline Abinokhauno, a proud wife of 14 years, blogger, momfluencer and entrepreneur; and Thato Montse, a wine connoisseur.

Other participants are Camilla McDowell, also known as the Queen of Constantia; Kutazwa ‘Rooksy’ Gqirana, a proud Capetonian and self-described hustler; and Lulwando ‘Lue’ Tukwayo, a free-spirited property entrepreneur, digital creator, chartered accountant and mother of three.

Ana Langenberg, senior VP of format sales and production at NBCUniversal Formats, said: “We are elated to continue to build on the monumental success of The Real Housewives franchise in Africa with this latest instalment. The spirit of Cape Town and the unique energy this series will bring will deliver an addictive and unmissable experience and we can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience it.”

“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,” added Shirley Adonisi, director of local entertainment channels at MultiChoice’s M-Net.

“This may be a global franchise, but our spin on it is very much South African. The story lines explored on the show and the cast’s lives are as authentic as they come. As a channel, keeping up with our viewers’ tastes and preferences is important, and this is evidence of that.”

Produced by Trace Studios, The Real Housewives of Cape Town marks the 17th international version of the franchise, the fourth to be adapted in Africa and the third South African instalment.

The Real Housewives format began life in the US on NBCUniversal-owned cable channel Bravo in 2006 as The Real Housewives of Orange County. The format is shopped internationally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group.

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Auditions held for Big Brother Mzansi S3

Online auditions have begun for season three of South African reality series Big Brother Mzansi, following M-Net’s announcement it was renewing the show for another season.

South Africans who are articulate, interesting, reveal enthusiasm for the project, have a willingness to share their most private thoughts in an open forum and can stay 100 days in a camera-filled house can apply by uploading a two-minute video of themselves showing why they should be one of the contestants.

Big Brother Mzansi will run as a 24/7 channel on MultiChoice’s DStv, with daily highlight shows on M-Net’s Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).

Formerly known as Big Brother South Africa, the show aired its last season in 2015. It is one of 69 adaptations of the Banijay-owned format worldwide and 2021 marks 20 years since the first ever Big Brother South Africa.

Auditions are being held until November 6.

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Oros Mampofu to host MTV’s Ghosted

Ghosted: Love Gone Missing presenters Shamiso Mosaka and Oros Mampofu

South African actor Oros Mampofu, star of SABC soap Skeem Saam, has signed up as host for the African version of US reality show Ghosted: Love Gone Missing.

The show seeks to help individuals who have been ‘ghosted’ – left in the dark by someone they care about – and who are distraught and are looking for the truth.

Alongside MTV Base’s Culture Squad presenter Shamiso Mosaka, he will help people track down their loved ones to reveal the truth.

“Ghosted comes to Africa, baby. You guys have no idea what’s coming your way,” Mampofu said on Instagram.

Mampofu is best known for his role as Jama, Thabo Maputla’s university roommate, in the soap opera Skeem Saam as well as his starring role in the Mzansi Magic drama series Igazi.

Ghosted: Love Gone Missing will premiere on MTV Africa (channel 130 on DSTV) on August 16 at 21.30.

The show is based on the US reality show produced by Sharp Entertainment that debuted on MTV in 2019. MTV parent ViacomCBS distributes the format internationally.

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MultiChoice racks up SAFTA nominations

Pay TV company MultiChoice has received more than 140 nominations across all categories in the 15th edition of the South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs).

Yolisa Phahle

The company said the achievement demonstrated its high investment in local content and is a win for the local TV and film production industry.

The TV shows nominated include telenovela Legacy, 1Magic’s The River and Mzansi Magic’s drama Housekeeper.

The KykNET channel secured 50 nominations in the TV Soap, Telenovela, TV Comedy and Feature Film categories; Gomora received five nominations in the Best Telenovela and Most Popular Telenovela categories; 2019 Rugby World Cup documentary Chasing The Sun secured four nominations for Best TV Documentary, Best Directing, Cinematography and Editing.

Showmax originals including Lockdown, Loving Thokoza and Black Tax were also nominated, while TV series Lebo M: Coming Home, Life With Kelly Khumalo and Somizi & Mohale are competing against each other in the category of Best Structured Reality TV Show.

Yolisa Phahle, CEO of general entertainment for MultiChoice group, said: “We are excited to once again see most of our shows scoop the bulk of this year’s SAFTA nominations. This is a win for local TV and film and demonstrates MultiChoice Group’s commitment to investing in local content to allow for local stories to be told by Africans.

“The nominations are also a testament to the incredible resilience of all the talent, cast and crew in various productions as our industry navigated the complexities brought on by the global Covid-19 pandemic, which were characterised by production stoppages and a period of uncertainty for many creatives.”

The SAFTAs ceremony will take place on May 22 on Mzansi Magic DStv channel 161 at 19.00.

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Rockville returns for fifth run

Rockville was created in 2013

South African telenovela Rockville has been renewed for a fifth season by MultiChoice-owned channel Mzansi Magic and will hit the screens in April.

The show was created in 2013 by South African TV production duo Connie and Shona Ferguson and produced by their production company, Ferguson Films. It is written by Phathutshedzo Makwarela, Gwydion Beynon, Linda Bere, Chisanga Kabinga, Pamela Power and Sibusiso Mamba.

Rockville follows the story of two black families who represent the middle class and the working class. The storyline revolves around their ongoing feud over a series of misunderstandings and problems.

“Rockville was our very first project as executive producers and laid the foundation for Ferguson Films to start building Mzansi Magic’s first-ever drama series after the channel was launched. We’re looking forward to welcoming the squad that started it all back and introducing new and exciting characters and talent. More details about the cast of Rockville 5 will be announced soon,” said Connie Ferguson.

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Showmax adds pop-up channels

MultiChoice-owned VoD service Showmax has added two pop-up channels that will be available until the end of March.

Yolisa Phahle

The addition of kykNET and Mzansi Magic will give Showmax users who don’t have access to the two DStv channels the ability to view them 24 hours a day.

MultiChoice Group CEO for general entertainment and connected video Yolisa Phahle said: “We’re always looking at ways of making the Showmax experience better for our customers.

“During last year’s lockdown, we gave subscribers access to live news channels. Now, following this month’s presidential address, South Africans will continue to spend more time at home, and so, once again, we’d like to make sure our customers have something extra.”

While Mzansi Magic is exclusive to South Africa, kykNET will be available to subscribers in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The live streams will be available on all Showmax packages including Showmax, Showmax Mobile, Showmax Pro and Showmax Pro Mobile.

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Mzansi Magic debuts Abandoned

M-Net-owned South African network Mzansi Magic has launched a new reality show called Abandoned.

Phumeza Mdabe

The 13-part show helps orphans who were abandoned as toddlers to track down their family members. It also grants those who gave up their children an opportunity to find and reconnect with their offspring.

It is hosted by actor and TV presenter Phumeza Mdabe, who helps the people featured on the show to find those they are looking for.

Nomsa Philiso, director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, said: “As part of our exciting list of brand-new shows in the new year, Mzansi Magic will bring you reality TV that will take you on an emotional roller coaster, one that invites viewers on a journey that will also help them find a place of solace through relatable content.

“Every week, the show will tackle different dynamics and help the abandoned children ask questions like: did my mother or father love me? How do they go to bed knowing that I am out there? Did they ever try to find me? How will my life change when I find them?”

Abandoned airs every Tuesday at 20.00 on Mzansi Magic, DStv channel 161.

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Idols SA finalists line up on Mzansi Magic

Idols SA will air without a live audience due to the pandemic

South African network Mzansi Magic’s hit talent show Idols has announced the final 16 contestants who will compete to be declared the best young singer in the country.

This years’ series, based on UK format Pop Idol from Fremantle, will kick off without a live audience due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Nomsa Philiso, director of local entertainment channels at Mzansi Magic operator M-Net, said: “The show is about to reach its peak, a stage where viewers are starting to have their clear favourites.

“While we have had to take the difficult decision not to have audiences at the live shows due to the current environment and in trying to keep our fans and contestants safe, we are excited that our valued viewers can still enjoy this exciting production with us from a distance.

“The fate of the contestants now rests with you, the viewers at home, as they will rely on your votes to ensure that they make it to the next round, starting with our male contestants this coming Sunday.”

The 16 contestants are Ntokozo, Zama, Jerodine, Dee, Ndoni, Melanin, Bongi, Be, Qhawe, Ethan, Mr Music, Succedor, Zahn-Reece, Jooma, Brandon and Sonwabile. The judges are Somizi Mhlongo, Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi, while Tebogo Thekisho hosts.

Season 16 of Idols South Africa airs on Sundays at 17.00 on Mzansi Magic Channel 161.

Mzansi Magic is a South African digital satellite and general entertainment channel broadcast on DStv. It is owned by MultiChoice and managed by M-Net’s local interest division.

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MNet scraps 2019 award shows

African pay TV group MultiChoice’s flagship channel MNet has announced it will not be televising two of its own award shows this year.

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) and DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards (DMVCAs) will not be aired due to the inability to find sponsors to share the production costs that come with mounting the shows.

The AMVCAs, which started in 2013 to promote and recognise African TV and film productions from across West, East and Southern Africa, had its sixth edition in September 2018 in Lagos. The DMVCAs, which began in 2017 to promote and recognise South Africa’s entertainment industry, had its second edition in November 2018.

According to MultiChoice Africa, the AMVCAs might return in the future while the DMVCAs will take place some time in 2020.

“The AMVCAs requires huge funding to make happen, as well as an alignment between the production, competition and commercial teams, as well as staging it in Nigeria, where there are limited venues capable of a production of this scale,” MultiChoice said.

 

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