Television brims with brand-new local TV shows starting on Monday, 5 April – making it even more difficult for viewers to decide what to watch where next.
uBettina Wethu, South Africa's local adaptation of Ugly Betty, makes its debut on SABC1, while SABC3 opens the gates to its new local soap, The Estate.
There is a new timeslot for the public broadcaster's English TV news bulletin on SABC3 that will now compete with e.tv, while DiepCity starts as Isibaya's replacement on Mzansi Magic.
Then there is also the start of The Station as a new drama series starring and produced by Sello Maake Ka-Ncube.
The Estate, SABC3, 19:00
This new locally produced soap is the newly cemented cornerstone from which the public broadcaster's struggling TV channel is starting to rebuild its primetime line-up.
The Estate is produced by Clive Morris Productions.
The show will address land and identity, corruption, patronage, money (old and new), power, class and equality, all told through a colourful mix of South African families. Monday's first episode is an hour-long premiere episode, followed by half-hour weekday episodes.
eBettina Wethu, SABC, 19:30
Farieda Metsileng stars in the lead role as Bettina Sikhakane in the South African adaptation of Colombia's Yo Soy Bety La Fea.
The telenovela, produced by Known Associates Entertainment, will air on SABC1 and the VIU streaming service and will have three episodes per week from Mondays to Wednesdays.
This is the story of @ubettina_wethu:
— SABC1 (@Official_SABC1) March 13, 2021
She finds her self-worth challenged when she is employed at a brand management company, a place where people value image over substance.
She's coming to your screens in April. #SABC1WeMove pic.twitter.com/k6BS3jupOr
News @ 8, SABC3, 20:00
A new TV news battle is brewing from tonight with SABC3 that is taking e.tv's news offering head-on and is moving its main TV news bulletins from 21:00 on weekdays to 20:00, directly opposite e.tv News. On weekends SABC3 will now broadcast the public broadcaster's main English TV news bulletin at 18:00.
The Station, Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), 20:00
Taproots Media produces this new drama series from Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, who also stars as the character of Fix in the show.
The Station revolves around the backstabbing and scheming between four employees who suddenly become petrol station shareholders. Don (Owen Sejake) leaves his petrol station to his four employees, who all start playing hunger games to gain control as personalities clash. Sphamandla Dhludhlu is Caesar; a young man determined to see the business succeed to improve his life and support his father who uses a wheelchair, Themba (Ernest Ndlovu).
Meanwhile, Diliza (Aubrey Mmakola) threatens to take control of the station and run it to the ground. Will the husband and wife team of Cynthia (Lerato Mvelase) and Fix, along with Caesar and Sli (Sibulele Gcilitshana) be able to stop Diliza?
DiepCity, Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), 20:30
DiepCity is the new local telenovela replacing Isibaya, exploring the struggles of four young women forced into lives of crime to survive.
The small-time house burglar Nox (Nozuko Ncayiyane) sees her world shattered after her younger brother Sibusiso (Tshiamo Molobi) is fatally shot during a house robbery that he was never supposed to be part of, and that was set up by the security guard Elliot (Mduduzi Mabaso).
After a stint in jail, Nox returns home where her alcoholic father Bonga (Hamilton Dlamini) lost his job and where her mother Thandiwe (Dawn Thandeka King), who works as a domestic worker, refuses to forgive her for her brother's death.