5 nail-biting South African shows on Showmax

There was a time South African shows ruled Kenya’s local TV channels – from Egoli: Place of Gold to Generations to Isidingo – and in later years, we were introduced to the likes of Rhythm City and Scandal.

These shows also introduced us to some of the best actors from SA – from the ageless beauty Connie Fergusson to the all-time charmer Siyabonga Thwala, and we fell in love with every moment of it.

If you miss the suspenseful drama and the intrigue from down south, let me introduce you to these nail-biting shows on Showmax that will keep you bingeing from the very first episode to the last.

1. The River

Early in August, I wrote a piece: 25 thoughts I had watching The River for the first time. My opinion about The River being one of the best and most nerve-wracking South African shows has not changed – and South African beloved actress Sindi Dlathu is incredible as the villain Lindiwe Dlamini, a woman whose stare alone could impale you.

Set in Pretoria, where the worlds of the wealthy and the poor collide, The River follows the lives of two families – the wealthy Dlaminis and the poor Mokoenas – who are thrown together during an intense battle over a diamond, where people are willing to do anything for power.

If you are in for some heart-stopping drama, do yourself a favour and go watch The River. And while you’re at it, please hold a stress ball for you to squeeze in between the intense moments. Thank me later.

The River is streaming on Showmax.

2. Housekeepers

Like The River, Housekeepers really knows how to pull you into its world and hook you from the very first scene. It jumps right into the mayhem where we witness a violent struggle between the bosses and the housekeepers, and we clearly have no idea what led to this bloody opening. Kind of reminds me of Devious Maids.

Of course, it would be spoiling the fun to reveal what comes next – conspiracies, murders, cover-ups, suspense, greed, scheming, secrets – but Housekeepers lets us in into the personal lives of the wealthy Zwide family and brings to light the secrets they hide behind closed doors, even as they engage in a dangerous power game with the women who serve them, the housekeepers.

Here you will meet Linda, a devoted daughter and a promising law graduate who was wronged by the powerful Zwides when they framed her mother for murder. Linda will do anything to prove her mother’s innocence – even if it means transforming into a housekeeper herself.

Let the drama begin. Housekeepers is now streaming on Showmax.

3. Is’Thunzi

In episode 1 of Is’thunzi, Thuso Mbedu seduces her way into getting a pricy red dress, breaks the heel of a Red Bottom (Cardi B would really have a fit), flirts with famous a Springbok player, and finally gets tricked and exiled by her older brother who is desperate to tame her wildness.

In a role that has won many hearts and turned her into a household name in South Africa, Thuso plays Winnie, a feisty and defiant teen who hungers for a rich life and will lie her way into achieving it.

For this role, Thuso has been nominated twice for Best Performance by an Actress in the International Emmy Awards, in 2017 and 2018.

Catch Is’Thunzi streaming on Showmax

4. Isibaya

A 2018 SAFTAs winner, Isibaya is about battle lines being drawn and violence erupting when taxi business rivals, the Zungus and Ndlovus, fight for domination.

Caught right in the middle of this violence are two young lovers from the conflicting families who first cross paths during an unexpected gun fight that almost drives a bullet into the beautiful Thandeka Zungu – but she is saved in time by her father’s rival’s son.

It’s a turbulent start that introduces us to an even greater and more turbulent love story, but we all know that those make for the best TV shows.

One of the longest running South African soapies, Isibaya is streaming on Showmax.

5. Igazi

Igazi is not for the faint-hearted – here, evil powers summon great supernatural forces to do their bidding and to get what they want. As we soon learn, the battle for the throne is not one that is easily won.

We meet the power-hungry Nomarussia, who uses dark forces to her advantage to scheme and kill to pave the way for her equally corrupt son to ascend the throne, throwing the whole kingdom into chaos.

Then there’s the good-hearted Bantu – the true heir to the throne, living his quiet life in the city, unaware, at first, of his ties to the feuding royal family until his nightmares lead him to his rightful place.

Igazi is streaming on Showmax.

Start watching now »