Latest news with #Helderberg
Daily Maverick
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Curiosity and conspiracy take off with documentary series Helderberg
The mark of any good series is that you want to keep watching, and with access to only the first two episodes of Helderberg, it was frustrating not being able to reach the end of such a polished and thought-provoking production. It's a must watch, for South Africans especially. True crime tales and air crash investigations have an obvious overlap thanks to their core mystery. In both cases, we're immediately asking, 'What happened?' But while deep dives into murders almost always point to a definitive conclusion, aircraft incidents tend towards the more nebulous. Especially if recordings are garbled or key debris is never located. There also seems to be an unsaid rule that with air disasters, the victims should be treated with more sensitivity on screen; they're not just a name and face paperclipped to a case file. All of this means that new documentary miniseries Helderberg is a somewhat different beast from previous efforts made by IdeaCandy, the production company behind the likes of Steinheist, Devilsdorp, Tracking Thabo Bester and Rosemary's Hitlist. All of these shows delved into shocking true stories that stunned South Africa, and in that sense, Helderberg is the same, although it jumps back slightly in local history, to the final turbulent years of Apartheid. Helderberg centres on South Africa's worst-ever commercial aviation disaster, when, just after midnight on 28 November 1987, Mauritian air traffic control lost contact with South African Airways Flight SA 295 (AKA the Helderberg), shortly after it started its approach to the island, en route from Taipei to Johannesburg. Having already declared an emergency, the Boeing 747 crashed into the Indian Ocean, claiming the lives of all 159 passengers and crew aboard. Almost four decades later, no one knows the cause of the fatal fire that broke out on the plane. And that's exactly what documentary Helderberg delves into, once it's covered the timeline of events surrounding the crash, its fascinating recovery and extremely problematic official inquiry. Anyone familiar with the Helderberg story will know that there are a handful of theories and conspiracies about the disaster, and IdeaCandy and fellow production company Relish Media play devil's advocate, giving air time to each hypothesis – with the biggie being that the Apartheid government was circumventing sanctions by using commercial passenger flights to bring illicit, dangerous materials into the country for military use. To their credit, the makers of Helderberg keep a tight rein on the sensationalism, balancing it with accounts of human tragedy; the heartbreaking cruelty of fate in some instances, alongside the impressive technical details of the investigation. It's impossible not to gain some new knowledge from the series, even if it's simply because of the show's time capsule effect, transporting viewers back to yesteryear through its assemblage of news and stock footage. On that note, Helderberg is slickly made and visually dynamic, avoiding much of the repetition seen in earlier efforts like Devilsdorp. DM
TimesLIVE
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Step inside The Weeknd's mind, follow a couple's journey through grief, and unravel the secrets of the Helderberg air crash
Spotlight is our bite-sized entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in SA, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook. Spotlight shines a light this week on inimitable new cinema releases and a long overdue documentary about the worst aviation disaster in South African history set to stream on Showmax. Based on a real-life incident which spiralled into a psychological nightmare, Hurry Up Tomorrow comes from the global music sensation The Weeknd, aka Abel Tesfaye, who stars and co-wrote the unique cinema outing. The film, at cinemas, is the creative catalyst and illustration of all that unravels in his mind while creating his new album of the same name. Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan co-star. Based on a true story and adapted from the book of the same name, The Salt Path follows husband and wife Moth and Raynor Winn. After losing their home they embark on a year-long coastal trek, trying to come to terms with their grief and the healing power of nature. Starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, the film beautifully depicts an inspiring new perspective on life during the hardest of times. At cinemas. The doccie series Helderberg dives into the mystery of the infamous SAA aeroplane disaster. The crash claimed the lives of 159 passengers and crew en route from Taipei to Johannesburg in 1987. The series, streaming on Showmax, includes expert analysis, commentary from journalists and interviews with families of the victims to uncover what treachery was covered up for decades. For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies. Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events. Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns. Competition giveaways Answer a question to win double movie tickets to see The Salt Path at a Ster-Kinekor cinema. For full competition details and the questions, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by May 21. Terms and conditions apply. Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants' personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
News24
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Drama on the small screen – 5 new local shows to add to your watchlist
There's a whole world of scintillating drama to feast on. New shows are dropping like hot potatoes just in time for the cosy nights in and Netflix and chill sessions, and our local stars and productions are giving us entertainment. Why not dive back into the dangerous world of Gail Mabalane's Zenzi Mwale in Unseen season two? Or how about exploring the high stakes and tests of loyalty of the gospel music industry with the new telenovela Genesis? Get comfortable and settle into these new local shows: Unseen season two Zenzi Mwale (played by Gail Mabalane), the seemingly ordinary cleaning lady with an extraordinary will to survive, returns to the unforgiving streets of Cape Town, premiering on Netflix on 2 May 2025. As Zenzi fights to expose the truth, she leaves behind a trail of bodies - acts of survival in a world that gives her no choice. In the wake of tragedy, Zenzi is forced to trust those who put her behind bars. Will her newfound desire for freedom finally put her grief to rest? iThonga This telenovela, which was previously said to be named Bloodlines, follows the story of twin brothers Banele and Sanele, played by Bonko Khoza, who walk in completely different paths. One in the light, the other in the shadows. See stars like Ayanda Borotho, Nelisiwe Sibiya and more bring to life this gripping drama at 20:30 every weekday on Mzansi Magic. Helderberg For documentary fans, a devastating premiere awaits. In 1987, SAA Flight SA295 is reported overdue at Mauritius. The worst aviation disaster in South African history has taken place, and all answers to the mystery lie deep underwater. Helderberg premieres on M-Net on 15 May at 20:00. Inimba Inimba is a tale of love, sacrifice, and the unstoppable force of a mother's bond with her child. The show follows the story of Zoleka Mabandla, played by Lunathi Mampofu, who had a world of opportunities ahead of her and a job offer she couldn't turn down, sacrificing her marriage to Hlathi (played by Sisa Hewana). After two decades, Zoleka is determined to get back to her life and her daughter, but the past is difficult to let go of. Inimba airs on Mzansi Magic weekdays at 21:00. Genesis Genesis delves into the high-stakes world of gospel music where loyalty is tested and betrayal lurks around every corner. Baby Cele returns to a starring role as Felicia Thabethe-Gigaba, a classic matriarch who guards her nest like an eagle. The show also stars onscreen favourites like KB Motsilanyane and Nay Maps.
