Freemen
Made in Nigeria
Nigerian Showmax Original Freemen is a seven-part documentary that explores the Igbo Apprenticeship System. All episodes now streaming.
The Igbo Apprenticeship System has been a cornerstone of the eastern region of Nigeria for generations. The practice involves young individuals placed under the tutelage of experienced traders, artisans, or professionals to learn a trade or skill for a period of time, after which they gain “freedom”, typically including a cash settlement or seed money that will allow them to begin their own trade. In recent times, the business model has gained worldwide traction, and in 2021, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe’s work on the Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS) was published in the Harvard Business Review.
The seven-part documentary series features prominent Igbo businessmen such as Dr Anene Okeke, Dr Cosmas Maduka aka Coscharis, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, Ndubuisi Ekekwe, Okey Japan, Bartholomew Duru Nwanguma alongside his son Peter Nwanguma, and other notable entrepreneurs. These successful businessmen share their personal stories and reflections on how the Igbo Apprenticeship System shaped their careers and paved the way for their entrepreneurial success.
Freemen is co-produced by multiple-award-winning rapper Tobechukwu Ejiofor, aka ILLBLiSS (King of Boys), who also produces the soundtrack for the show.
A deeper look into Freemen
Daro Umaigba, executive producer and director of Freemen, on telling African stories
Executive producer and director of Showmax Original Freemen, Daro Umaigba, talks about the importance of telling African stories.
Made in Nigeria
Showmax’s Freemen highlights the origin story of Nnewi’s most successful businessmen
The Showmax Original documentary Freemen highlights how Nnewi breeds successful businessmen like Dr Alex Chika Okafor and Dr Cosmas Maduka. All the episodes for Freemen are available to stream.
Made in Nigeria“I earned my first million at 24” – Dr Cosmas Maduka in Freemen
Dr Cosmas Maduka talks about how the Igbo Apprenticeship led to the breakthrough in his career. New episodes of Freemen land every Wednesday.
Made in Nigeria“Discipline is the pinnacle lesson” – Obi Cubana from Freemen
Entrepreneur and businessman Obi Cubana discusses lessons from Igbo Apprenticeship as Showmax documentary Freemen starts streaming.
Made in NigeriaFreemen S1
A thoughtful Nigerian documentary that explores the age-old Igbo Apprenticeship System, which gives youngsters a chance to learn a trade.
Made in NigeriaFreemen
Nigerian Showmax Original Freemen is a seven-part documentary that explores the Igbo Apprenticeship System. All episodes now streaming.
Made in NigeriaShowmax documentary Freemen explores the Igbo Apprenticeship System
Showmax premieres its brand-new Nigerian documentary on the Igbo Apprenticeship System.
Made in NigeriaMore documentaries to stream
Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream
These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we’re living in today.
Made in South Africa
Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy
This sensational documentary delves into the rise and fall of Diddy, offering insight into his childhood, his meteoric rise, and his arrest.
The Stroll (2023)
When director Kristen Lovell began to transition in the 90s, she was fired from her job. Like many transgender women of colour during this era, she began sex work in an area known as The Stroll.
The Rehearsal S1-2
In this bizarre HBO docuseries people get a chance to rehearse for their own lives in a world where nothing ever works out as expected.
Must-watch trailer: The ABC Killer, about serial killer Moses Sithole
Watch the chilling trailer for the Showmax twisty true-crime documentary The ABC Killer, about serial killer Moses Sithole. Premiering 22 July on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
How Do You Measure A Year? (2022)
In this deeply personal Oscar-nominated documentary short, longtime HBO collaborator Jay Rosenblatt interviews his daughter on her birthday for 17 years.
Chimp Crazy S1
Tiger King filmmaker Eric Goode delivers another view into exotic animal owners – this time, focusing on the lengths chimpanzee “owners” go to keep their ape babies.
All That Breathes (2022)
Two Muslim brothers devote their lives to protecting black kites, a majestic bird of prey falling from New Delhi’s skies at alarming rates.
Have you watched Bae Beyond Borders?
Bae Beyond Borders Season 1 finale: It’s a yes from all four ladies
In the final episode of Bae Beyond Borders, the ladies finally decide if their love will survive beyond borders. All episodes are available to binge on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Bae Beyond Borders episode 8 recap: Is Chidu’s celibacy an issue for Vuvu?
In episode 8 of Bae Beyond Borders on Showmax, couples take the major leap to solidify their love, and Chidubem makes it official with Vuvu.
Made in South Africa
Bae Beyond Borders Season 1 episode 7 recap: Mali regrets her decision
In episode 7 of Bae Beyond Borders, Malibongwe is forced to share some big news with Luciano that could alter their future plans. New episodes every Monday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Bae Beyond Borders episode 6 recap: It’s down to the final hour
In episode 6 of Bae Beyond Borders, the ladies have to make their final call on who to take to South Africa. New episodes every Monday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Bae Beyond Borders Season 1 episode 5 recap: Vuvu and Eric hit it off
In episode 5 of Bae Beyond Borders, Vuvu’s date with Chidu flops, but she enjoys an intimate moment with Eric. New episodes every Monday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Bae Beyond Borders Season 1 episode 4 recap: Zezethu drops Kingsly for Peter
In episode 4 of Bae Beyond Borders, Zezethu ends things with Kingsly while Peter sits on his throne. New episodes every Monday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Bae Beyond Borders episode 3 recap: Flirty in-person dates
Sparks fly as chemistry grows between the four discerning South African women in Bae Beyond Borders and their Nigerian dates.
Made in South Africa
Bae Beyond Borders episode 2 recap: Kingsly is all over Zezethu
In episode 2 of Bae Beyond Borders, the gents aim to impress, but who will be chosen for first dates? New episodes Mondays on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaMore Mzansi gold
Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream
These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we’re living in today.
Made in South Africa
20+ addictive South African reality shows to stream
Stream The Catch, The Real Housewives of Durban, The Mommy Club, and more of South Africa’s best reality shows on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaMablerh returns to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion
Mablerh returns to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion for the third year in a row. The Season 5 reunion drops in two parts on Showmax, premiering 4 July and 11 July 2025.
South African
Obstruction S1
A fiery netball superstar dreams of being noticed by the Gauteng provincial coach and playing for the national team… until her mom uproots her to a new school.
Made in South Africa