12 April 2018
South African highlights on Showmax in April
There’s a diverse range of local and lekker South African content coming to Showmax this April, from hit rom-coms (Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word) to SAFTA-winning dance films (Hear Me Move), from top stand-up comedians like Jason Goliath and Joey Rasdien to hard-hitting documentaries about lions being bred to be killed (Blood Lions).
Here are 10 of the best
Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word
In this number one box office hit, Mmabatho Montsho, Khanyi Mbau and Renate Stuurman play three friends trying to find love, happiness and success. It’s based on Cynthia Jele’s breakthrough novel, which was described as Sex and the City: Sandton and won the 2011 Commonwealth Writer’s Prize for Best First Book: Africa and the M-Net Literary Prize. Thabang Moleya’s film adaptation took home the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award for Lance Gewer’s cinematography; was nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best First Film; and was up for two SAFTAs: Best Supporting Actress (Stuurman) and Best Make-Up and Hair (Diane Allen). Watch now »
Hear Me Move
This local sbujwa dance movie follows Muzi, the son of a pantsula dancer, searching for the truth behind his father’s death… and finding so much more. It won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Editing (CA Van Aswegen), from five nominations, and a SAFTA for Best Sound Design (Basiami Segola), from three nominations. Watch now »
Jason Goliath Live at Lyric Theatre
Three-time Comics Choice nominee Jason Goliath brings his unique sense of humour and unbridled energy to the stage in this comedy special, filmed at the Lyric Theatre in 2017. Joey Rasdien’s Lyric Theatre performance will also go live on Showmax on 16 April 2018. Watch now »
Living the Dream with Somizi Season 1
The extended, uncensored and uncut version of the Comedy Central Roast of Somizi will reach Showmax on 8 May 2018. In the meantime, you can indulge in Somgaga’s reality TV show, getting an inside look at the highs and lows of his fast-paced and flamboyant celebrity lifestyle. Watch now »
Watch: Living the Dream with Somizi Season 5, first on Showmax on 4 May 2022
Planet Earth S2
Filmed 10 years on from the original, Planet Earth II is an immersive exploration of the jungles, mountains, deserts, islands, grasslands and cities of the world. IMDB’s top ranked TV series, Planet Earth II won Emmys for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and Cinematography, among other prizes. A number of sequences were shot across Africa, including this epic scene of a Great White Shark breaching and taking down a Cape Fur Seal – watch below. Watch now »
Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week S2
The toughest show is back. This time contestants must survive the training of Poland’s GROM, the US Green Berets and SA’s Recces, who ambush them fresh off the plane en route to base camp and put them through 48 hours of misery in the South African bush, where drinking the stomach contents of a freshly-killed springbok is just a starter… Watch now »
Vallei van Sluiers S4
Vallei van Sluiers is the story of three fruit-farming families in Ceres. The Afrikaans drama was nominated for SAFTAs for Marc Degenaar’s cinematography, Stef Albertyn’s sound design and the script by Johan van Jaarsveld and Louis Pretorius. Watch now »
Coming soon
Impunity (due 23 April 2018)
Starring Alex McGregor (Blood Drive, Spud) and Bjorn Steinbach (Generation KIll) as young lovers on a murderous rampage, Jyoti Mistry’s Impunity was inevitably compared to Natural Born Killers by The Hollywood Reporter after its world premiere at Toronto, where the festival called it “an eye-opening jolt, casting an unwavering gaze on South Africa’s increasingly troubling surrender to the banality of violence.”
Blood Lions (due 23 April 2018)
Every single day in South Africa at least two to three captive bred or tame lions are being killed in canned hunts; hundreds more are slaughtered annually for the lion bone trade. Environmental journalist Ian Michler takes a hard-hitting look into the reality of the highly lucrative farming of lions – bred to be killed. Named Best Documentary at the International Environment Film Festival (FICMA) in Barcelona and winner of the Genesis Award from the Humane Society in the USA, Blood Lions is a compelling call to action to have these practices stopped.
Once Upon A Road Trip (due 26 April 2018)
Sean’s death leaves behind a twin brother, a lover and a good friend. His last will and testament insists that the three get together on a road trip to plant a cross where he died – and also to try and get along.
Directed by David Moore (Going Nowhere Slowly) and starring Tobie Cronje, Louw Venter and Graham Weir, Once Upon A Road Trip was nominated for four Africa Movie Academy Awards and won Best Make-Up.
Original African stories by local talent
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. Two episodes now streaming, and the remaining two episodes land on 22 March 2024 on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers, with new episodes every Thursday.
Cheta M
Cheta M explores the love story between Adanna and Nnanna, young lovers who battle the spiritual and political forces in their way. Stream now, with new episodes Wednesday to Friday.
Youngins S1
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins, with three new episodes every week.
Sadau Sisters S1
Rahma, Zainab, Aisha, and Fatima Sadau pull back the curtain on their family, fame, and lifestyle. Stream now on Showmax.
The Winning Ticket, a Showmax Original
Youngins S1 episodes 1-20 recap
More Mzansi gold
The Mommy Club S2 episode 9 recap: Mrs Mops’ launch event
In episode 9 of The Mommy Club, Mrs Mops launches her skincare range and Barbra and Mantshi make amends. New episodes every Monday.
The Real Housewives of Durban S4: No apology for Ameigh
In episode 11 of The Real Housewives of Durban Season 4, wounds are opened when Ameigh finally hears the infamous Zama recording.
Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream
These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we’re living in today.
20+ addictive South African reality shows to stream
Stream The Real Housewives of Durban, The Mommy Club, Sports Wives, Widows Unveiled and more of South Africa’s best reality shows on Showmax.