12 South African romantic picks for the month of love – and all year round

From running into an ex during a baecation to having to face not one but two monsters-in-law to planning the perfect wedding for other people but not finding The One for yourself, the characters in these South African series and movies have a rocky road to travel when it comes to their love lives – but that’s what makes them so entertaining to watch.

Fall in love with local by streaming these gorgeous shows and movies, all on Showmax.

1. Troukoors

Love is in the air and that means one thing: weddings! This Afrikaans Showmax Original comedy series sees well-intending wedding planner Jessica (Ilse-Lee van Niekerk) and her besties go on a rollercoaster ride of emotions – and relationships – as they try to make it through the day without giving up on love. There’s everything from wedding-day jitters and speed-dating, to blind dates, dating apps and just trying to find someone to love you for who you are! Loads of local fan favourites star – Kevin Smith, Armand Aucamp, Lea Vivier, Blyde Smit, Melt Sieberhagen and more!

Watch: Troukoors Season 2, streaming from 5 May 2022

2. No Love Lost

Hope Mbhele plays Amahle in this romcom movie. Amahle is going on one of those fancy-schmancy romantic getaways for her anniversary … until she literally walks face-first into her ex-boyfriend Lwazi (Pallance Dladla) and his new girlfriend. Now those feelings are flooding back to Amahle and she’s got the hots for Mr Wrong all over again. She’s not going to know what to do with herself when he proposes double-dates while they’re all vaycaying together!

3. Welcome To The Family

Yoh – nevermind a mother-in-law, Lerato’s (Nolo Seabi) about to get two monsters-in-law when her boyfriend Vusi (Siphesihle Vasi) gets down on bended knee to pop the question. That’s just the start of her drama when they welcome the two older matriarchs into their home and Vusi’s secrets come out the closet – for starters, those stories he’s been telling about not having cash … not so true – he’s rolling in dough. His family also aren’t as open-minded as he’s told his beloved and she’s going to have every ounce of patience tested as the old ladies try to rule the roost and control their son.

4. Love Heist

Falling hook, line and sinker for someone can be dangerous for one’s heart, because there are so many catfishes out there looking for a fool to con. But the reverse happens in this fun crime caper romcom because conwoman Tsholo (Katlego Setlhare) is about to get all loved up with the guy she’s working over, Kabelo (Cornet Mamabolo), and she’s going to have to choose: find love at last and get to be happy in life… or continue being pushed around and controlled by her crime queenpin sister.

5. Late Bloomer

Ish is about to get very real for carefree 30-something partygirl Lauryn (Nicole Fortuin) after she has a one-night-stand. Yes, “that” ish (she thinks she may be pregnant by her one-hit-wonder)… but also the L-ish. She thinks she’s been hit by Cupid’s arrow and it hurts because she wants the guy, but he’s not who she’d normally date and she’s not exactly ready to settle down, either. What’s a girl to do? Well, for starters she has to decide what she wants more: a wild life or a happy heart.

6. A Safe Bet

There’s nothing wrong with being career driven and making a name doing what you love. But what happens to your love life when you’re too focused on the boardroom or your business and don’t look for a boyfriend? Ask Pearl (Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa), because that’s her dilemma in this Sesotho-language, English-subtitled drama. She’s SA’s hottest attorney and everyone wants a piece of her time… but she’s realising that she has nothing to show in matters of the heart, and that’s something Pearl wants to change ASAP.

7. Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word

This romantic drama hits hard because the three lead characters are looking for love, happiness and success in Egoli – aka Joburg – and that’s a hat-trick that doesn’t always happen. Nandi (Mmabatho Montsho), Zaza (Khanyi Mbau) and Princess (Renate Stuurman) are looking for the missing touch to their lives and they’re not letting anyone get in the way as they paint the town red by night and take on the business world during the day.

8. Mrs Right Guy

You can run but you can’t hide when Cupid’s in the mood to smack you with love. Gugu (Dineo Moeketsi) doesn’t know it yet, but her suitor is right around the corner and unlike all the other guys who’ve tried to win her heart, this one’s going to succeed no matter how much Gugu tries to block her wanna-bae. If you don’t believe in love because “all men are dogs” like Gugu says, watch this space!

9. Love Lives Here

Love hits you all over the body. Your heart. Your stomach. Your bits and bobs. But where does it actually live? That’s what Zinhle (TV superstar Thando Thabethe) wants to know ’cause sister just can’t seem to find it – and when she’s not looking for it, it comes in all the wrong shapes, sizes and looks. In Zinhle’s experience, guys are doff when they fall in love – from cheesy chat-up lines, to breaking out in a serenade in the middle of a restaurant (with your best bros as back-up singers, nogal). Now Zinhle is getting a masterclass on falling in love and getting butterflies through her body.

10. Tell Me Sweet Something

Moratiwa (Nomzamo Mbatha) and Nat (Maps Maponyane) come from two very different worlds. She’s an entrepreneur who runs her own successful bookshop, she’s an intellectual and she’s a wannabe author who’s looking for her big break into the literary world. He’s a model who’s known for his six-pack, washboard abs and chiselled good looks… not for his intellectual heavy lifting. Could two more unlikely bedfellows to fall in love? Not since Notting Hill!

11. Vir Die Voëls

This Afrikaans-language, English-subtitled movie is based on Irma Humpel’s short story Slim Vang Sy Baas. Irma (Simone Nortmann) is a no-nonsense young woman who’s never conformed to society’s standards. She doesn’t enjoy dancing with guys. She used to fight with boys throughout school – and leave them with bloody noses because she enjoyed it. She doesn’t want to get married and spend her life being subservient to any man, let alone the one standing in front of her at the altar in front of their family and friends. This is her story. And it’s a fun ride!

12. Die Windpomp

Holiday romance hook-ups are the best! Especially when you’re 17 and looking for a bae for the holiday. That’s what Henri’s (Armand Greyling) after, but shame, he’s stuck at an old-age home with one of his grandparents that he’s visiting in this Afrikaans-language, English-subtitled romcom. No stress though, because Henri’s about to meet the love of his life – not just for the holiday – in the form of pretty ballet teacher Margot (musician and TV host Leandie du Randt).

Looking for something more erotic? Try these South African 18+, adults-only shows and movies on Showmax

• Love, Lies and Hybrids
• Sex in Afrikaans
• Swaaibraai
• Sex Etc