28 December 2018
Local talent to watch in 2019
It’s so exciting to see new faces on TV, especially on local shows. Viewers’ calls for broadcasters and production houses to #OpenUpTheIndustry have clearly been heeded, and, over the past year, we’ve seen some incredible new talent debut on our screens.
Here are some stars you should definitely keep an eye on in 2019.
Larona Moagi
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp-UZzvBwAz/
Not only is she pursuing law at Wits University, but she’s also been fortunate enough to score a role on 1 Magic’s hit telenovela, The River. On the show, Larona plays Itumeleng Mokoena, a character we’ve all come to love. And Larona is just getting started. If the way she portrays Itumleng is anything to go by, there’s no doubt she’ll be shaking things up in the entertainment industry.
Thando Thabethe
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpzvmrUnKPw/
Thando has proven that you cannot put her in a box. While she’s been killing it on radio for the past few years and featured on a couple of TV shows, it was her recent storyline on Mzansi Magic’s Housekeepers that grabbed everyone’s attention. In the hit series, Thando plays Linda Ndlovu, a young woman seeking justice for her mother, who was murdered by her employers.
Since appearing on the series, Thando has received nothing but great reviews from viewers.
https://twitter.com/Zandile_V/status/1074732480857604096
Give THANDO ALL HER COINSSSS !!!!#housekeepersmzansi
— FirstbornkaBonang (@_naledzz) December 24, 2018
@Thando_Thabethe 's narrative skills are EXCEPTIONAL!!!! #HousekeepersMzansi
— Siphumelele Khumalo (@Siphumelele_K) December 24, 2018
Galaletsang Koffmann
While some of us only got to know her as Beauty on The River, Galaletsang has been in the game for a while. The actress has appeared on other hit shows such as The Road and Isithembiso, but it was her portrayal of Beauty that quickly saw her rise to the top, becoming one of 2018’s breakout stars.
She has brought her A-game to this role and continues to win viewers over with her authenticity. She might be a new kid on the block, but it’s clear that this actress is still going far.
Motsoaledi Setumo
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp4EzVgg-0m/
Early 2018 saw Motsoaledi Setumo make her debut on The Queen, Mzansi Magic’s number one TV show. Before this role, we had seen the actress on other shows, but it’s her current role that’s quickly turning her into a household name.
“I’ve played dramatic and crazy characters before where I had to show my body a lot. But with Mmabatho it’s different. I’m showing my talent without having to undress; I am redeeming myself,” she told Drum magazine in an interview. Not many people can say they’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the best in the game, and Mmabatho has been lucky enough to star alongside both Connie and Shona Ferguson. Next stop: the top!
You can catch all of these stars by streaming The River, The Queen and Housekeepers right here on Showmax.
Original African stories by local talent
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Stream from 9 May, with new episodes weekly.
Big Girl Small World
Stream the new Kenyan romcom series Big Girl Small World from 8 May, with new episodes every week.
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. All episodes now streaming.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
RHONairobi S2: Your favourite queens plus 3 new faces
Big Girl Small World, coming soon
The best movies to stream
10 Rotten Tomatoes-approved movies on Showmax: ranked
From Jaws and Kanarie, to Get Out and Minari, these are the freshest movies on Showmax according to Rotten Tomatoes.
10 movies everyone’s watching on Showmax now
Stream these 10 fun, eye-popping movies that your fellow Showmax fans are loving, including Queen & Slim, Babylon, Equalizer 3 and more.
Transformers movies on Showmax: ranked
All seven Transformers movies are ready to stream on Showmax, including the 2007 original and the latest, Rise of the Beasts.
DC superhero movies on Showmax: ranked
See the ranked list of DC superhero movies now streaming on Showmax, including the feel-good Shazam! Fury of the Gods.