What to Watch in Southern Africa This Month

‘Savage Beauty’ – South Africa

When it debuted in May 2022, Savage Beauty, a South African revenge drama made the top 10 list of the most streamed shows on Netflix. The series, based around the Bhengu family’s beauty empire and the shady skin lightening cream operation that powers it, left multitudes gagged, and viewers hoped that a second season was in the works. Our wishes have been granted, and we shall once again become engrossed by the turmoil that keeps us fully tapped in. “I think the biggest of questions is, ‘What is Don gonna do once he steps out of that boot?’ The first thing that he does […] is gonna be what sets the tone for season 2 in terms of his journey. It’s crazy, exciting, dramatic… it’s everything,” exclaims Dumisani Mbebe, who plays the role of family patriarch Don Bhengu.

Where to watch: Netflix, from June 28.

‘Black People Don’t Get Depressed’ – South Africa/Zambia

Black People Don’t Get Depressed is film director Sara Chitambo’s gripping documentary about mental health and the multiple ways in which it manifests among Black folk. It’s also a personal journey for Chitambo, and an open-ended dialogue about how black communities address our collective sickness. “I was feeling very trapped. There were ways in which I was always able to run away from my mind. When [the] lockdown happened, I had nowhere to [run to]. I was feeling so shifty,” Chitambo told OkayAfrica when asked what finally led to her decision to make the film. Black People Don’t Get Depressed will have its African premiere at the Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival later this month. The director will also hold a Q&A session at the Johannesburg screening.

Where to Watch: Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival, Johannesburg on June 29.

‘Mince Jou Hare’ – South Africa

Mince Jou Hare is a “feel-good, small-town sitcom” set in a fictional town in Western Cape, South Africa. It follows the life of Frieda (Melissa de Vries), who decides to quit her factory job and open a hair salon in her home. “This story is ultimately about a woman who wants to just succeed in life and is willing to do whatever she has to do to make that happen,” said series creator and award-winning comedian, Shimmy Isaacs. Starring alongside de Vries are Dugald Pieterse, who plays her husband Vincent, Bianca Flanders as best friend Julia, and Franka Kirby as daughter Jody. Mince Jou Hare is directed by David Isaacs and produced for Penguin Films by Roberta Durrant.

Where to watch: Showmax

‘Chasing the Sun 2 – A Story for South Africa’ - South Africa

Chasing The Sun 2 — A Story for South Africa is the highly anticipated follow-up to Chasing The Sun, which tracked the Springboks’ journey to their 2019 Rugby World Cup victory. According to Showmax, “the five-part documentary series features never-before-seen footage, interviews with more than 30 players and coaches, and all the highlights from the Springboks’ nail-biting journey to the final.”

‘How To Ruin Love: Season 1’ – South Africa

How To Ruin Love: The Proposal is yet another addition to the How To Ruin Christmas franchise. It features all the messy, hilarious, off-handed chaos to keep viewers entertained. The jokes are spot-on, the performances enticing and the writing packs the type of tongue-in-cheek moments necessary for a fun, light, great watch. It revolves around Zoleka (played by Sivenathi Mabuya) who sabotages her relationship with Katlego (played by Bohang Moeko) merely days before Valentine’s Day. “Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that How to Ruin would turn into a franchise on a global platform and we’re so grateful that we have the opportunity to tell African stories on Netflix […] We hope to bring even more joy and laughter with this spin-off,” the creator and executive producer, Rethabile Ramaphakela, said in a statement.

Where to watch: Netflix