SA’S Top 5 local soapies that keep viewers glued
SOAPIES are a big deal for viewers.
They offer a wonderful form of escapism thanks to the melodramatic storylines, which leave audiences yearning for more. Once reeled in, audiences are kept there.
While many argue that all the shows are popular because they are all on free-to-air channels, the truth is South Africans enjoy a good story.
Dstv is trailing behind with just over 1.1 million viewers for Mzansi Magic’s popular soapies Gomora and The Queen.
1 Magic’s The River comes second with over 780 000 viewers, while Mzansi Magic’s Isibaya comes third with over 720 000 viewers.
Here are the country’s top five local soapies/ telenovelas.
1. Uzalo
Uzalo became an instant hit when it hit the screen in 2015. It initially centred on two families in the township of Kwamashu: the Mdletshe family, who play a significant role in the Kwamashu Kingdom Church, and the Xulu family, who run a car hijacking syndicate.
The connection between the families was that their eldest sons were switched at birth.
As the show has progressed, the storylines have dramatically changed, but maintained the growth of some of its characters.
Uzalo, on SABC1 on weekdays at 8.30pm, has remained the mostwatched South African soapie for three years, with over 8.9 million viewers.
2. Generations: The Legacy Previously known as Generations, it is the second most-watched television show in South Africa, with over 7,5 million viewers.
Set against the advertising industry, the storylines explore the dreams and aspirations of its characters, from different social backgrounds. Rivalry, treachery and blackmail between siblings, friends and foes are common.
Generations: The Legacy, airs on SABC1 at 8pm on weekdays.
3. Skeem Saam
At number three, with over
6.7 million viewers, this is set in the rural area of Turfloop outside Polokwane. The series revolves around the ups and downs of teenagers trying to find their way through life’s struggles.
Now in season seven, the teenagers have come of age.
Skeem Saam airs on SABC 1 at 6.30pm on weekdays.
4. Scandal!
This daily drama was built around a fictional media company, Nyathi Family Holdings, in Newtown, Johannesburg, which produces the newspaper The Voice and the gossip magazine Scandal.
The show follows the lives of the people and families working there and of others. It also tells the story of socio-economic divides of township and suburban life.
Scandal! airs on e.tv at 7.30pm and has over 4.7 million viewers.
5. Rhythm City
This soap explores two family empires in the entertainment space: the Genaros and the Ndlovus, and how their heirs want to dominate the scene. It airs on e.tv at 7pm, weekdays, with 3.8 million viewers.