By Kevin Kriedemann
Published December 6, 2017
There’s a wealth of acclaimed African content coming to Showmax internet TV this December; from award-winning Kenyan drama series to box office hits from Nigeria and South Africa.
Showmax, that was born in 2015 and is reported to be available in more than 70 countries, can be streamed using apps for smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, computers, media players and gaming consoles.
The highlights, in summary, include:
- Kalasha Award-winning Kenyan series SAIDA and double nominee THE REAL HOUSEHELPS OF KAWANGWARE
- Africa Movie Academy Award winners 30 DAYS IN ATLANTA, TELL ME SWEET SOMETHING, and HOW TO STEAL 2 MILLION
- South African Oscar entry FOUR CORNERS
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Kenyan highlights
SAIDA
Two star-crossed lovers have to keep their relationship a secret. Saida has grown up in a wheelchair but her world opens up when she meets someone who finally understands her.
Winner: Best TV Drama, Kalasha Awards. Trailer
THE REAL HOUSEHELPS OF KAWANGWARE (due 07/12)
The series follows the lives of four househelps–Awiti, Kalekye, Njambi and Trufena–as they go through their daily routines in Kawangware district of Nairobi.
David Marucha (Michireti) and Aisha Nour (Truphena) were nominated for Kalasha Awards as Best Lead Actor and Actress, respectively, in a TV Drama. Showmax now has the first eight seasons available to binge-watch.
SUNRISE (S1 due 14/12)
In this popular Kenyan crime drama, Soni comes back home from abroad with a story that’s not adding up. She finds that everything has changed in Sunrise; it’s full of shifty characters doing shady deals. She quickly realises she’s now trapped in it, like most of her neighbors. Trailer
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The first Showmax Original
TALI’S WEDDING DIARY (due 14/12)
This series follows a self-obsessed Sandton princess (Julia Anastasopoulos, aka YouTube sensation SuzelleDIY) who’s moved to Cape Town and is filming the build-up to her wedding to her property-agent fiance Darren (Anton Taylor, star of the popular web series Jozi Shore and the award-winning short Money, Keys, Phone). Binge-watch all eight episodes of this Showmax Original comedy from December 14, 2017. Trailer
African highlights
TELL ME SWEET SOMETHING
Moratiwa (Nomzamo Mbatha) runs her bookstore with ambitions of being a writer. Then she meets Nat (Maps Maponyane), a model who wants to be loved for his mind not body. But are they meant for each other?
Directed by Akin Omotoso (Vaya), TELL ME SWEET SOMETHING won two Africa Movie Academy Awards: Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Thishiwe Ziqubu, as well as two Africa Magic Viewers Choice awards for Best Director and Best Cinematography. Trailer
HOW TO STEAL 2 MILLION
Released from prison, Jack (Menzi Ngubane) can’t find work. His former buddy Twala (Rapulana Seiphemo) offers him a job he can’t refuse, but can he trust his new partners in crime?
Winner of four Africa Movie Academy Awards, including Best Film, Best Director (Charlie Vundla) and Best Supporting Actress (Terry Pheto). Trailer
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LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT
A young surgeon’s chance meeting with her ex-boyfriend throws her world into chaos when she makes a horrible discovery about her past. Starring A-list African stars OC Ukeje, John Dumelo and Joselyn Dumas, LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT is a poignant story about moving on that was nominated for two Africa Movie Academy Awards. Trailer
DEVIL IN THE DETAIL
A crazy love triangle threatens to destroy a perfect marriage as a couple enter a world of sex, lies and betrayal. Starres Africa Movie Academy Award winner Adjetey Anang and Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award winner Nse Ikpe-Etim. Trailer
MUM DAD MEET SAM
A young couple fall in love and decide it’s time to meet the parents. But when Sam (former African Actor Of The Year Joseph Benjamin) takes his English girlfriend (Daniella Down) home to his family in Nigeria, all hell breaks loose.
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THE HUNT (due 07/12)
It’s predator vs prey in this stunning nature series partly shot in multiple African countries, narrated by Sir David Attenborough and produced by the team that created Planet Earth. Winner of BAFTAs for Music and Cinematography.
9.3 rating on IMDB.
REBECCA (due 11/12)
Lost in the middle of a deserted road, a city guy (former African Actor Of The Year Joseph Benjamin) gets a rude awakening when he realises that his only companion, a timid-looking country girl (Africa Magic Viewers Choice winner Yvonne Okoro), is anything but ordinary.
Directed by award-winner Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Rebecca was nominated for two Africa Movie Academy Awards.
FOUR CORNERS (due 11/12)
Ricardo (Jezriel Skei in a SAFTA-winning role) is stuck in the ghetto. His chess talent can save him but he’s being groomed to join a gang… South Africa’s official Oscar entry, FOUR CORNERS won eight international awards, including the SAFTA for Best Film.
WONDERBOY FOR PRESIDENT (due 11/12)
A charming young man from the Eastern Cape (Kagiso Lediga) is convinced to run for president by two dodgy characters. But when politics is involved, a scandal isn’t far behind. The mockumentary stars top South African comedians like Loyiso Gola, John Vlismas and David Kibuuka alongside political leaders like President Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa and Julius Malema.
South African newspaper CityPress called it “as hilarious as it is astute.”
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KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR (due 14/12)
A perfect marriage’s cracks start to show when a dark secret from the past emerges. Africa Movie Academy Awards winner Majid Michel and Africa Magic Viewers Choice winners Adesua Etomi and Blossom Chukwujekwu star in this hit Nigerian musical.
WIVES ON STRIKE (due 14/12)
Mama Ngozi, Madame 12:30 and friends come up with a stirring strategy to help Mama Amina protect “their” child in this hilarious Nigerian box office hit about girl power. Trailer
30 DAYS IN ATLANTA (due 18/12)
An action-packed rom-com about two cousins (award-winners Ayo Makun and Ramsey Nouah) who have the adventure of a lifetime after winning a 30-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Atlanta. After breaking box office records in Nigeria, 30 Days In Atlanta won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Comedy and the City People Movie Of The Year Award. Trailer