12 May 2020
#AfricaMonth: 5 of the hottest African shows right now, according to fans
May is #AfricaMonth. It’s a time to celebrate the best of Africa, like showcasing great African shows that have enthralled viewers and given them something to talk about episode after episode. And the fans have spoken! These are the hottest African TV shows right now, all available to binge-watch on Showmax.
1. Halita
From Nigeria comes Halita, a story of betrayal, love and ambition with doses of classism and human trafficking where an aunty takes Halita, a young girl from the village to the city and sells her to the wealthy Zamani family to work as a househelp.
What the fans are saying about Halita:
2. Kina
In Kina, the new drama series from Maisha Magic, singer-songwriter Sanaipei Tande plays the self-made water magnate Nana Tandala. Her greed pushes her to commit murder to protect her empire, setting in motion a series of dramatic events that pits the rich against the poor in a ruthless battle for survival.
What the fans are saying about Kina:
3. The River
In the dirty business of diamond mining, The River sees two different but interdependent worlds collide in spectacular fashion. One side of the river is home to exquisite mansions populated by society’s upper crust, like the Dikanas, led by the powerful matriarch Lindiwe Dlamini, who will go to any lengths to maintain their wealth. On the other side are the Mokoenas, a family with little to show for their hard work.
The River, which is now in its third season with no intention of dialling down the drama, was nominated for an International Emmy Award for Best Telenovela in 2019. With 10 awards both in 2019 and 2020, this is also the most awarded series at the South African Film and TV Awards (SAFTAs).
What the fans are saying about The River:
4. Mercy and Ike
Fresh from Africa Magic Showcase, comes Mercy and Ike, a reality show that follows the love life of Mercy Eke, the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 4, and Ike Onyema, her fellow housemate, who began a relationship during their time in the Big Brother house.
What the fans are saying about Mercy and Ike:
5. Kovu
Created and produced by Lulu Hassan’s and Rashid Abdalla’s Jiffy Pictures, Kovu follows the wealthy Haze family who looks like the perfect family, but beneath their luxurious exterior, are as fractured as any family with too many secrets and too much money can be.
What the fans are saying about Kovu:
The Mommy Club NBO, coming soon
The Chocolate Empire, now streaming
The best movies to stream
Movie fight club: Gladiator II and more intense punch-ups
For their Gladiator II fight to stand up to rhinos, sharks and sea battles, Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal had to do more than wave their swords at each other. We break it down along with 8 other films’ most intense punch-ups.
Frank Grillo takes on the Tulsa King
Frank Grillo and Sylvester Stallone go head to head as rival mob bosses in Tulsa King Season 2. And we rate 9 more Frank Grillo roles, from Boss Level to Billions.
Renée Zellweger chats about Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy
Renée Zellweger reveals why two men find 50-something widowed mom Bridget Jones simply irresistible – plus, we list 5 of our favourite romcom couples you can watch now.
Widow Clicquot and 10 more sparkling biopics: Life writes the plot
Get ready to pop the cork on some vintage storytelling with the tale of how Widow Clicquot revolutionised French wine-making, then check out our menu for 10 more sparkling movies about real people.