6 days ago
A nostalgic trip through iconic moments in local TV
Television holds a special place in the hearts of South Africans, from weeknight catch-ups with shows like Skeem Saam to Isidingo and Isibaya - inspiring lively conversations about the latest drama around office desks the next day.
READ MORE | 5 iconic moments from The River's Cobra in tribute to Presley Chweneyagae
Here are some iconic moments from the newer shows we love:
The River 1Magic
The River followed the gripping journey of Lindiwe Dikana, played by Sindi Dlathu, a young girl from Refilwe who rose through the ranks of the mining industry to become a powerful and at times ruthless force.
At its core, the series explored power, corruption and an unrelenting will to survive. Once set between the starkly contrasting worlds of Refilwe and an affluent suburb, the show masterfully captured a tale of two realities.
These are some of the moments we'll cherish from it:
Cobra and Paulina's love story:
It drew viewers in amid their ups and downs. Potrayed by the late Presley Chweneyagae and Tango Ncetezo, they were the true embodiment of kasi love.
The discovery of the diamond: Thato Mokoena (played by Don Nawa), working under Lindiwe's mine, uncovered a diamond that changed everything. It was a discovery that sparked a turning point; one life was lost and another was elevated by newfound wealth.
Rekindled mother and daughter relationship: As she was chasing greater wealth, Lindiwe's past returned to haunt her when the child she once abandoned at the river resurfaced.
Almost echoing the biblical parable of the prodigal son, only this time, it was her daughter that came back.
The Queen Mzansi Magic
Led by the beloved Connie Ferguson (who portrays Harriet Khoza), pulled us into the world of crime and power, not in the gritty streets but behind grand staircases and luxurious mansions. It was a world where danger wore designer, and the underworld was dressed in glamour.
Mzi haunting Harriet: A scorned lover returned from the dead, haunting Harriet with a vengeance that blurred the line between justice and obsession. A ghostly reckoning for the powerful drug queen.
Kamina and Kagiso: Played by Michelle Mosalakae and Loyiso MacDonald, this is a love forged in danger, passionate reckless and bound to explore.
Brutus and Shaka Khoza: A bond deeper than blood. Played by Themba Ndaba and Sthembiso Khoza, their relationship was built on loyalty, laughter and unshakable trust. They were each other's anchors in a world that constantly shifted.
Isithembiso Mzansi Magic
Simi and Zamani's love story: Played by Nandi Mbatha and Zamani Mbatha, a love that defied all odds, unfiltered and unapologetic.
Banzi Motaung's obsession with Simi: A twisted obsession of a man with a university student. Banzi (played by Hamilton Dlamini) was not just a villain, he was a mirror to the disturbing realities many women face in society.
Ring of Lies Mzansi Magic
Breaking away from traditional TV formulas, Ring of Lies threw us into the adrenaline-filled world of boxing. For many, it was Mzansi's Creed, a series that hit hard with its stories of love, betrayal and brotherhood. In this ring, emotions punched as hard as fists.
Neo and Sli's relationship later turned to friendship: Played by the late Mpho Sebeng and Dineo Nchabeleng, a magnetic love at first sight, later unravelled by temptation and misplaced loyalty.
Kabelo and Gugu: Played by Bohang Moeko and Tessa Twala, the power couple who seemed unstoppable until the cracks began to show.
Lockdown Mzansi Magic
We were introduced to the chilling, complex world of a women's prison, Lockdown, where every inmate had a story carved in pain, resistance and survival.
Mazet: Played by Dawn Thandeka King, her character is the fearless leader, the strategist, the survivor.
Monde: Here, Zola Nombona portrays a young woman caught in the wrong place at the wrong time — arrested for drug possession, thrown into a world that would change her forever.
