Now that many of you will be having plenty of free time to binge, uninterrupted, on some good stuff, here is some South African content you can stream now on Showmax!

BUDDHA IN AFRICA  | DOCUMENTARY

In a Chinese Buddhist orphanage in Africa, a Malawian teenager finds himself torn between his African roots and Chinese upbringing. Once the star performer with dreams of becoming a martial arts hero like Jet Li, Enock is now in his final year of school and has to make some tough decisions about his future. Will he return to his relatives in his home village or study abroad in Taiwan?

Set against China’s expanding influence on the continent, Buddha in Africa provides a unique insight into the impact of cultural soft power on the identity and imagination of an African boy and his school friends growing up between two cultures.

Directed by South African Nicole Schafer, Buddha in Africa won Best South African Documentary at this year’s Durban International Film Festival, was the opening night film at Encounters, and screened at HotDocs. It’s currently screening to sold-out audiences at IDFA, arguably the world’s top documentary festival, as part of their prestigious Best Of Fests line-up.

TRACKERS | SERIES

Based on South African author Deon Meyer’s best-selling novel of diamond smuggling, rhino poaching, and an international terrorist plot to attack Cape Town, Trackers has already shattered viewership records to become the most popular show on M-Net in 2019, beating out even smash international hit shows like Game of Thrones.

It’s the first show ever to dislodge M-Net’s untouchable Sunday Night Blockbuster Movie Premiere slot – and earn more viewers – and is trending at the top of the charts on Showmax.

A co-production between M-Net, HBO-owned US network Cinemax (Warrior, Banshee), and Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF, Trackers stars SAFTA nominee James Gracie (Semi-Soet), multi-award-winner Rolanda Marais (Die Byl), Thapelo Makoena (Generations), Sandi Schultz (Die Spreeus), Trix Vivier (Waterfront), SAFTA winner Emmanuel Castis (Erfsondes), and British actor Ed Stoppard (The Pianist). Tsha Tsha star Sisanda Henna’s performance as villain Inkunzi has already landed him a leading role opposite Megan Fox in her upcoming film Rogue.

THE HERD S1-2 | SERIES

28 years ago, Bhekisizwe Mthethwa (Sello Maake Ka Ncube) was fired from his job at a butchery due to his leg injury. With no job and a hungry wife and baby, Bheki sought out the guidance of the local witch, MaMngadi (Winnie Ntshaba), who promised him a bright future if he was willing to make a great sacrifice.

When we meet Bheki in the present, he’s married to MaMngadi, with three more children, Muzi (Sparky Xulu), Nkosana (Paballo Mavundla) and Dumazile (Cindy Mahlangu). But when Bheki must choose a successor to his cattle business, his big sacrifice still weighs heavily on his soul, even as his children go into battle over what each believes to be rightfully theirs.

This hit Mzansi Magic supernatural drama was nominated for Best Drama at this year’s SAFTAs and recently won the Jury’s Special Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards.

CARNAGE S1 | REALITY

Mad Max meets Top Gear in the Kalahari in this insane reality show that pits motorheads against one another in weaponised mutant cars.

In this steampunk desert challenge, six teams transform ordinary vehicles into lethal weapons, then face off in three brutal arenas designed to push their cars to the limit. Then they’ll go up against monster mutant trucks – the massive Pusher, the evil Shredder, and the lethal Finisher – to either earn a place in the final or on the scrapheap.

Hosted by Lethal Bizzle, Vick Hope and former cricketer Freddie Flintoff, this is top-notch popcorn TV.

STROOP | DOCUMENTARY 

Stroop: Journey into the Rhino Horn War is a gripping wildlife crime thriller of a documentary that takes the viewer on a rollercoaster ride between Africa and Asia. Two first-time filmmakers, award-winning editor Susan Scott (The Last Lions) and 50/50 presenter Bonné de Bod, embed themselves on the frontlines of the rhino poaching crisis, where they are given exclusive access to the war as it unfolds on the ground.

Carving out six months for the project, the two women quickly find themselves immersed in a world far larger and more dangerous than they had imagined, only emerging from their odyssey four years later.

This hard-hitting South African documentary has ignited world-wide awareness of rhino poaching, screened at numerous film festivals and picked up 25 awards to date. Earlier this month, Stroop took the 2019 Video Media (Long Form) award at the prestigious SAB Environmental Media of the Year awards.

One of the film’s characters, renowned wildlife rehabilitator Karen Trendler, was also honoured with the Nick Steele Memorial Award for Environmentalist of the Year – the top nod at the award ceremony. Stroop also won Best of Festival at The International Wildlife Film Festival and was shortlisted for the presenter and impact awards at Jackson Wild, arguably the Oscars of the wildlife film world.

OTHER GOODIES TO WATCH ON SHOWMAX 

Other recent local releases on Showmax include Dream: The Lebo Mathosa Story, Desmond Dube’s hit pyramid scheme crime drama, Impilo: The Scam (Mzansi Magic); the Cape Flats high school telenovela and Dineo and Solo’s journey to marriage on  Kwakuhle Kwethu: Dineo & Solo’s Wedding.

One of QuenchSA’s Top SA Shows to watch this year,  Living the Dream with Somizi, gave us glimpses into Somizi and Mohale’s journey to marriage. You can follow the two as they start involving their families in their love story.

Discover What To Watch and The Latest TV News!

Unathi Nkayi has come under fire for advancing a joke about the Xhosa nation being tired of “holding the country on their backs.”

The joke, which first emerged after the Springboks won the World Cup under captain Siya Kolisi’s leadership, caused a stir when the Idols South Africa judge enacted it on Sunday night’s episode of the singing competition.

Two weeks ago, Kolisi became the first black captain to see the national rugby side bring the World Cup trophy home. And along with being celebrated for this milestone, some took it a step further to bring up the fact he is also Xhosa.

MZANSI TV NEWS: HARMONY KATULONDI TO HOST ‘THE TASTE MAKER’ 

So when Unathi sang Luyolo’s praises following the delivery of a stellar performance on the show, she went on toss out one for the culture. Except, it appears, the timing, platform and context in which the comment landed has proven to have been inappropriate.

Viewers have taken to social media to lambast Nkayi’s choice of words as they fear her joke could potentially inspire voting along tribal lines, a political landscape to which serious historical tragedies attend.

If the judge’s comments do indeed hold enough power to influence the direction of the votes, as suggested by some, the credibility of the votes could be questioned.

MORE TV NEWS: 5 SOUTH AFRICAN TV SHOWS YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING!

Aware of how her remarks could trigger a furore, Unathi immediately apologised during Sunday night’s show and clarified that she had just been joking.

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SABC 3’s long running premium lifestyle TV show, Top Billing, has been canned.

The Tswelopele Production, which has been chronicling the lavish and opulent lives of the South Africa’s most monied, along with all the fine experiences in travel and home, will this week be airing its final episode after 27 years on air!

QuenchSA understands that the curtain call episode will be airing this Saturday, October 19th.

Despite reports that she’s unhappy with the SABC’s decision to roll the credits permanently on her production company’s flagship show, Tswelopele Productions maintained a positive spirit in their press statement.

“This show exemplifies excellence and sophistication in arts, design, decor, fashion and broadcasting, creating countless jobs in its many years on air”, they expressed. “It has been quite a ride and it is fitting that after 25 years, we salute this season as our final one”, it says here.

Sowetan has reported that the cash strapped SABC’s decision to pull the plug on the show is down to the cost involved with producing it, which are estimated to be between R500 000 and R800 000 for each episode.

Further to this, the show’s ratings are said to have plunged since it was moved from it Thursday slot to a Saturday.

Viewers are devastated by the blind side, lamenting an end to lush scenes of a life towards which they aspire.

“What’s the point of being rich if Top Billing can’t confirm it to the world?”, one Twitter wrote, amongst many others sharing this sentiment.

What’s the point of being rich if Top Billing can’t confirm it to the world?

Mxim. Ngcono re no tlogela.

— Piano Man (@KMalatji) October 17, 2019

Lerato noted the role played by the show in igniting her passion for architecture, which would later become her career path.

Top Billing influenced me so much towards my career choice. I redrew most of the houses I saw on Top Billing back in High School and I proceeded to study Architecture thereafter. Heck I got the job my dreams from a company that was and still is being FEATURED on Top Billing. 😭😭

— Lerato Ramolahloane (@Ms_Ramolahloane) October 17, 2019

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