Local sitcom Black Tax coming to Showmax

It’s a serious issue that affects millions of South Africans – and it’s ripe for comedy. Black Tax is a hilarious new locally produced 13-episode sitcom presented by BET and coming express to Showmax.

Black Tax follows successful professional Thuli Dlamini and her family as she grapples with the unspoken rule in her community: when you’re making money, you have to pay back to your community for the support that helped get you there.

“I was very excited to be part of the Black Tax family, which is about a young black family trying to find their feet after things go horribly wrong for their grandparents. It’s about coming together and being thankful for what you have, no matter how little.”

Jo-Anne Reyneke

Thuli is a single parent who juggles career, relationships and now, the sudden arrival of her parents at her modest townhouse.

Thuli is played by Jo-Anne Reyneke, alongside the likes of industry veterans Clementine Mosimane in the role of Martha, Thuli’s mother, and Mandla Jwara in the role of her father, Sizwe. The series also stars popular comedians Jason Goliath and Sne Dladla, and actor Daniel Janks. Up and coming talents Mamodibe Ramodibe and Bahle Mashini, who will play the youngsters in Thuli’s family, will also feature. 

Another win for local content

“I am thrilled to be back on another BET Africa show because it’s a channel that’s putting black people on the market and displaying the amazing talents that we have,” says Jo-Anne. “Black tax means to be paying it forward… and is a means of showing appreciation for all that your family has sacrificed to push you to a better place in life. I was very excited to be part of the Black Tax family, which is about a young black family trying to find their feet after things go horribly wrong for their grandparents. It’s about coming together and being thankful for what you have, no matter how little.”

“We are excited to be producing Black Tax, a unique sitcom for African audiences. The series is indicative of our co-production and industry collaboration strategy for continued investment in local content. The first half of 2020 will be a big one for BET Africa, with Black Tax launching as one of our additional upcoming flagship properties. The series will explore a subject that most South Africans are familiar with and that viewers can emotively identify with,” commented Monde Twala, Vice President for MTV, MTV Base and BET at Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa). Black Tax is a co-production between RousHouse productions, The Department of Trade and Industry, Showmax and BET Africa.

Black Tax will broadcast on BET from Tuesday, 21 January 2020 at 21:30 on BET (DStv Channel 129), or stream it on Showmax straight after its broadcast.