What to Watch in Southern Africa This Month
This month’s selection includes a feature-length thriller, a critically acclaimed reality show franchise, as well as a documentary on the life of the man who expanded television’s reach across the African continent.
The month of August signals a move away from the cold winter season in the southern hemisphere, to the more manageable weather of spring. Once again, we’ve got a selection of content to stream at your own time. There’s amapiano-meets-classical, courtesy of Kabza De Small and Ofentse Pitse. There’s reality television by way of Ultimate Girls Trip SA, and there’s the immersive viewing of See Me, a documentary film about the trials and tribulations of young people living with HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dig in and allow your senses to be tickled.
‘Yes to the Impossible’ (South Africa)
This documentary is a poignant view into the life of Nolo Letele, the former Multichoice CEO who made it his mission to bring television to the rest of the African continent. The film explores his early beginnings in Lesotho, where he was born and raised. We learn about his early forays into television, how he got involved with Multichoice, and his innovations during his stay at the organization. The film features insights from his wife, his children, his friends, as well as the many business associates he established relationships with on the continent. It’s an inspiring story that demonstrates the level of dedication it took to pull off the impossible mission that Letele embarked on.
Where to watch: Showmax
‘Ultimate Girls Trip SA’ (South Africa)
The South African version of the Real Housewives franchise has taken off over the past few years. There have been seasons dedicated to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town. This time around, we get to follow the dramatic lives of a select number of housewives from previous seasons. The action happens in Jamaica, where the likes of Nonku Williams, LaConco, Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho and Liz Prins have camped for a few days on holiday. We get a front row view of all the slime, the slither and the uninhibited suspense imaginable when eight women who don’t exactly all get along are put on an island and left to their own devices. In an interview about the current season, the longest serving housewife, Nonku Williams, said that people are going to see a side of her that has never been revealed before. “Trust me: they are going to be surprised with how they’re going to experience me. I am excited for the opportunity to reintroduce myself,” she stated.
Where to watch: Showmax.
‘See Me’ (Zimbabwe)
See Me gives viewers a peek into the real life stories of young people who live with HIV/AIDS. It uses film, poetry, music, photography, visuals and dance to explore how they survived during the COVID-19 pandemic. Viewers get to hear about the stigmatization that still continues to this day. Themes discussed include mental health and gender-based violence. The film also teaches us that it’s important to see and acknowledge the humanity in one another, and to count our blessings.
Where to watch:
‘The Butcher’s Soul’ (South Africa)
The Butcher’s Soul is a John Wick-type revenge thriller flick set in the buzzing, non-sleeping city that is Johannesburg. It stars Melusi Mbele (Scandal!) as Mthunzi in his first lead role in a feature film. “After a deadly attack on his family, a butcher is granted seven days by the angel of death to bring her the guilty souls in exchange for his daughter’s life,” reads the press release. Speaking about the plot, Mbele says that his character comes from a military background, and returns home to spend time with his family. “He’s a good, reserved and introverted guy, but you don’t want to cross him. Fortunately, my training and acting workshops helped me balance his humanity with his quest for vengeance,” he says.
Where to watch: Showmax
‘Red Bull Symphonic’ (South Africa)
Conductor Ofentse Pitse’s interpretation of Kabza De Small’s compositions found a willing audience this past May at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg. We witness a first-of-its-kind spectacle full of many memorable moments. In-between the songs, Pitse takes us around her childhood home, where she was able to dream without limits. De Small has a conversation with Oskido about the early beginnings of iNumber, a genre we now know as amapiano. We also get to hear from his best friend Koppz Avenue, who states unequivocally that his homie’s always “been that guy.” It’s an enjoyable watch that opens up the mind to the boundless possibilities of collaborations gone right.
Where to watch: YouTube
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