17 January 2018
SA highlights on Showmax in January
Local highlights on Showmax this January include:
- Point of Order, 2017 SAFTA winner for Best Game Show
- Multi-award-winning children’s animation series ‘Jungle Beat’
- South African-set Christmas special of the BAFTA-winning ‘Call the Midwife’
- Vimeo Staff Pick and SAFTA-winning short film ‘Umkhungo’
- Lionel Newton in a SAFTA-winning performance in ‘Jozi’
- Express shows from kykNET (Elders: Die Camino) and VIA (Die Radio Raps Show)
In December, Tali’s Wedding Diary became Showmax’s most successful show ever on its first day, with more than double the number of first-day views of any previous show. To put that into a little more perspective, Tali had more than four times the number of viewers on its first day than Game of Thrones S7 on its first day on Showmax, proving again that local audiences are hungry for good local content.
Thankfully for everyone suffering withdrawal post-Tali, there’s a wealth of South African and African-set content coming to Showmax in January. Take a look.
Jungle Beat S1 & 2
From a giraffe afraid of heights to a bee allergic to pollen, these animals are a strange bunch. Winner of 11 international awards, Sunrise Productions’ charming animated children’s series was also a hit on YouTube, with over 37m views. Watch now »
Call the Midwife, Season 6 Christmas Special
Based on Jennifer Worth’s bestselling memoirs, Call the Midwife was named Best 21st Century TV Drama at last year’s BFI and Radio Times TV Festival. The BAFTA-winning period drama follows a group of midwives in the 50s and 60s – and shot its sixth season Christmas special in South Africa, with the Nonnatus House family answering an SOS call from a mission hospital in the Eastern Cape. Watch now »
Point of Order
Inspired by the shenanigans in the South African Parliament, Point of Order is a comedy panel show that allows SA’s top comedians and special celebrity guests to talk politics like real MPs, perhaps with a little more sense and sensibility. Point of Order won the 2017 SAFTA award for Best Game Show and was also nominated for Best TV Presenter (Tumi Morake). It’s produced by Both Worlds, best known for the two-time International Emmy nominee, ZANews’ Puppet Nation. Watch now »
Umkhungo (due 22 January 2018)
A street thug rescues an orphan in the city, then discovers the boy has strange supernatural powers. Directed by Matthew Jankes, Umkhungo won the SAFTA for best short film in 2013 and went on to be selected on Short of the Week and as a Vimeo Staff Pick.
Jozi (due 25 January 2018)
James (Carl Beukes) is a Jozi comedian who’s lost his sense of humour. Directed by Craig Freimond (Material, Beyond the River), Jozi was nominated for six SAFTAs, with Lionel Newton winning Best Supporting Actor.
Elders: Die Camino
Elders, the best-selling Afrikaans book about the Camino pilgrimage in Spain by writer, journalist and TV presenter Erns Grundling, is the inspiration behind this travel series, currently screening on kykNET, with episodes available the following day on Showmax, with English subtitles. Watch now »
Die Radio Raps show on Showmax (due 19 January 2018)
The Afrikaans internet sensation Radio Raps now has his own reality TV show. In Die Radio Raps Show, the cameras follow ‘Jonathan vanaf die Oos-Rand’ as he interviews celebrities, plays tourist in unexpected towns, cooks, explains complex concepts and chats to kids. New episodes will air every Friday at 20:00 on VIA and be available on Showmax every Saturday. Showmax will launch with two episodes on 19 January 2018.
Buurtwag S1 (due 18 January 2017)
When a series of crimes spurs them into action, a motley group of neighbours form a watch. Deon Lotz was nominated for a SAFTA in 2017 for his role in Buurtwag – his third nomination that year.
Set in Africa
Planet Earth S1
Five years in the making. The most expensive nature series ever commissioned by the BBC at the time. The first BBC nature series filmed in high definition. Sir David Attenborough. Four Emmy Awards. 9.4/10 rating on IMDB, at number three on their top-rated TV list. Need we say more? Other nature movies coming to Showmax in January include African Safari (due 18 January 2018) and Enchanted Kingdom (due 22 January 2017). Watch now »
Black Hawk Down
This is one you’ll either love or hate, probably based on whether you put more weight on filmmaking craft or questioning American military interventions into sovereign African nations. This is a US perspective on the disastrous American attempt to capture a ‘warlord’ in Somalia, which led to the Battle of Mogadishu. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Josh Hartnett and Ewan McGregor, Black Hawk Down won two Oscars, but was significantly less popular in Somalia. Watch now »
Don’t have Showmax yet?
Original African stories by local talent
The ABC Killer
The ABC Killer is a twisty true-crime documentary series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream from 22 July on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
What if we believed the best can come from here?
Let’s rewrite the rules of what it means to be local.
Untied S1
Untied explores the deeply personal and often complex experience of divorce, told through the voices of women who have lived it. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Made in South Africa
Reckless S1
Reckless follows a pair of young brothers who find themselves at a crossroads when a tragic accident changes their lives forever. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday.
Made in Kenya
The Mommy Club NBO
The Mommy Club NBO is the fifth instalment of the record-breaking Mommy Club franchise. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.
Made in Kenya
Empini S1-2
Empini is a high-stakes, action-packed drama set in the ruthless, corrupt world of private security. Season 2 is now streaming, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Made in South Africa
Youngins S1-2
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins. S1 and S2 are ready to binge.
Made in South Africa
The Real Housewives of Durban Seasons 1-5
Our eThekwini queens are back with a brand-new season. Stream Season 1-5 now, with part one of the reunion now streaming and part 2 landing on 11 July 2025.
Made in South AfricaThe Mommy Club NBO now streaming
The Chocolate Empire, now streaming
The best movies to stream
Elphaba and Glinda’s Wicked little guide
Find out what Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have to say about Wicked, pick up 10 magical behind-the-scenes facts, and explore 7 more schools of witchcraft and wizardry.
Push play on Father’s Day: Dads just want to have fun
If you’re trying to figure out what the mystery man known as dad really wants this Father’s Day, promise him one-on-one time with our Dads Just Wanna Have Fun collection.
James McAvoy and James Watkins on Speak No Evil
Speak No Evil director James Watkins and star James McAvoy explain “host” Paddy’s creepy charisma, and we check out 6 more roles that prove you never know what to expect with James McAvoy.
Celebrate World Oceans Day with My Penguin Friend
My Penguin Friend director David Schurmann and actor Jean Reno explain how you shoot a penguin. Plus, explore our World Oceans Day watchlist of 25 wet and wild movies and series.