During the month of May, MultiChoice is celebrating the can do spirit of Africans in its AfriCAN campaign, where it’s inviting you to “Tune into Africa, Tune into our Stories”. This unique campaign, that you can see on DStv and on its social media platforms, highlights that Africans CAN be or do anything they set their minds to.
The uniqueness of the campaign started with how it was conceived. Young marketers were tasked with putting together the campaign to show that they can also do anything they set their minds to – including conceiving and running a campaign from start to finish.
Africa’s finest in sport, entertainment, fashion, and music have been lined up as ambassadors of the campaign to share their inspirational stories. The A-listers include Olympic gold medal winner and world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, Oscar winner and trendsetter Lupita Nyongo, South Africa’s global superstar Charlize Theron, international award winning fashion extraordinaire Laduma Ngxokolo, critically-acclaimed actress Pearl Thusi, funny man and worldwide trailblazer Trevor Noah and mega music maestro Black Coffee. All stars you can see on DStv on a regular basis.
You too can be part of this campaign this Africa month by participating on Facebook. Go to africans17.dstv.com to show your AfriCAN spirit. Simply upload and create your own unique photo by using a simple yet powerful line… I got the _______ of an AfriCAN. Fill in the blank with what best describes you.
African stories to make you laugh, cry, play, dance and sing
It’s not just during this month when we celebrate Africa Day, that MultiChoice is committed to African stories. The MultiChoice Group invests R1,7 billion a year in local content to ensure Africa’s stories are told. This significant investment feeds the television and production industry across the continent, creating regular jobs for actors, writers, producers, editors and film crew. Even caterers benefit from this investment!
And to ensure there is talent that can tell our stories well into the future, the M-Net Magic in Motion Academy is developing the next generation of film and TV creators. This is a year-long course that gives participants an immersive experience in key areas of TV and film creation. This includes production commissioning, scriptwriting concept creation, producing, directing, cinematography, sound, art direction, editing post-production and broadcasting.
Mbali Zulu, a young talented scriptwriter is putting Pongola on the map. She recently graduated from the 2016 Magic in Motion class and is making it big already – she was nominated for a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for the Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap/Telenovela for Mzansi Magic’s flagship soap Isibaya.
She says she knew early that she wanted to be a writer and fondly remembers her university lecturers telling her to never stop practicing; “This industry is tough and far from glamorous, but it’s very rewarding. I was honoured to be nominated for a SAFTA and I still can’t believe it. M-Net and Bomb have paved the way for me to be a part of this amazing industry and I will always be grateful.”
M-Net’s local content channels won 36 Golden Horns at this year’s SAFTAs, picking up some of the biggest awards – Most Popular Soap, Best Soap, Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Achievement in Scriptwriting, and Best Achievement in Directing-Feature Film.
MultiChoice is not finished yet, as it intends to grow the local content offering on DStv every year. You can watch great local stories on DStv every day, to celebrate the spirit of what it means to be #AfriCAN.
Here’s a taste of the proudly home-made stories you can enjoy:
The daily drama on Mzansi Magic’s (DStv channel 161) fast-paced telenovelas and soaps will keep you on the edge of your seats. The Queen, starring Connie Ferguson and Sello Maake ka Ncube, will have you addicted, Monday – Thursday at 21:00. Popular soap Isibaya, now in its 5th season, was voted most popular TV Soap at the SAFTAs 2017. Set on the backdrop of the taxi industry, the bitter feud continues Monday – Friday at 20:30 on DStv channel 161. And in season 2 of the popular drama series, Igazi, the war for the kingdom continues on Sundays at 20:00.
Reality has never looked this good. Living The Dream with Somizi follows the flamboyant entertainer, Somizi Mhlongo and the charismatic characters that influence his fast-paced lifestyle – every Wednesday at 20:00. And can you really trust your family to help you find love? Date My Family helps singletons find love by sending them on dates with their potential partner’s family. Catch the often hilarious escapades of these daters on Sundays at 18:00.
Don’t miss SA’s most popular talent search with the much-loved and equally feared panel of judges: Randall Abrahams, Unathi Msengana and Somizi Mhlongo. Idols SA Season XIII will premiere on Mzansi Magic from Sunday, 9 July at 17:00.
On M-Net (DStv channel 101) The Voice SA Season 2 is coming your way live from the state-of-the-art Mosaiek Teatro in Fairland, Sundays at 17:30; and award-winning South African investigative journalism television series, Carte Blanche airs immediately after at 19:00.
After years of anticipation, the South African public is finally getting a glimpse into the life of Bonang Matheba – widely regarded as one of the most elusive superstars around. Catch Being Bonang this July on Vuzu AMP (DStv channel 103).
On BoxOffice there’s Droomdag, the romantic drama created by legendary actor, screen writer and film and television producer, Willie Esterhuizen. The Live Series Donovan Goliath, sees the comedian and presenter looking back at his experience growing up in Mthatha and not really fitting in. In Afrikaans romantic teen comedy, Jou Romeo, the budget gets cut for Romeo and Juliet, and drama geeks Yvette and Tyler have to think of a plan to save their production. South Africa’s very talented Riaad Moosa delivers a mind blowing stand up set in Doctors Orders and makes light about a host of topics in his charismatic style.
On Food Network (DStv channel 175) there’s Siba’s Table, the successful cooking series syndicated to several countries with Cape Town based chef, Siba Mtongana creating and serving up an irresistible range of dishes with her signature twist.
You can also join a host of amateur bakers as they compete to be named South Africa’s best home baker in the next season of the Great South African Bake Off – kicking off on Tuesday, 18 October at 20:00 on BBC Lifestyle (DStv channel 174).
Picture Thys Dullaart
More info about these and other great local award-winning shows can be found on DStv.com
