Showmax reboots, Wits Theatre is 40
It is said to have started out by selling decoders from a caravan more than three decades ago, but this week broadcasting behemoth MultiChoice opted for a giant dome mounted on a patch of green not far from its humble beginnings to stake out a claim for Africa’s streaming service crown.
As the sun came down on Tuesday evening, about 460 folks, from reality TV “housewives” to soccer stars, corporate bigwigs and industry players gathered in what is usually the smoking area of the sprawling MultiChoice City complex in Randburg to hear all about the reboot of Showmax, the South African home-grown online subscription video service.
This was the day after MultiChoice (the diverse grouping which grew from South Africa’s first pay-TV channel, M-Net) turned down French TV channel Canal+’s R30bn-plus buyout offer.
It was also hardly a week after the group and the US media powerhouse Comcast’s NBCUniversal Media announced they are investing a whopping $177m (about R3.3bn) in the streaming service this year alone.
Food for thought, as I pick up a cocktail stamped with the new Showmax logo (the leaning grey and pink stripes replaced by an “x” in the same colour range as rival Netflix’s red).
At the red carpet, I spot someone who looks like a matron of honour in search of a wedding, Nonku Williams, from the hugely popular series I cannot bring myself to watch, The Real Housewives of Durban.
On to greeting a blast from the past who is a new addition to the show’s line-up, Zama Ngcobo, whose first TV break was back in 2007 as an SABC1 continuity presenter.
Let’s ignore the minor matter of not being aware that the TV personality had been married (not a prerequisite for being a “real housewife”), Zama says she is looking forward to tackling a new challenge, having dabbled in acting (on Generations) and radio (Ukhozi FM).
“I am bringing all the drama and the tea, the truth, some sassiness and fashion,” she announces.
True to form, the personality rocked up in a satin sweetheart neckline dress finished off with a dramatic floor-grazing cape from Lindani Styling.
On the other side of the spectrum, new to the entertainment spotlight is Lerato Maphatsoe, the wife of the late deputy minister of defence Kebby Maphatsoe.
Lerato, along with Lerato Sengadi (widow of artist Jabulani
“HHP” Tsambo) and Mpho Tshabalala, who was married to the late kwaito king Mandoza, form part of the cast of another Showmax reality show, Widows Unveiled. “I was married for 28 years and it was a shock for me to find out what the law dictates when a person dies intestate. It is important for us, as black people, to be aware and be prepared when death comes,” explained the businesswoman as to why she chose to tell her story in front of the cameras.
Elsewhere I spot influencer Sthe October, in a dress emulating that view-blocking dress worn by Nigerian artist Tems at the Oscars last year, filmmaker Angus Gibson (the brains behind DStv hit Shaka iLembe) and Joburg Film Festival founder Timothy Mangwedi, while the soccer fraternity was represented by Stanton Fredericks and Teko Modise.
We are ushered into the dome-like marquee where things are so cramped that waiters pushing trolleys struggle to navigate the tight space with their goodies, such as toastie cups filled with avo, feta, mango and mint salsa, grilled prawns served with coriander coulis, bourbon-glazed pork belly squares and baby marrow fritters topped with salmon and crème fraîche.
When the official bits start, we are treated to a performance by Micasa before the night’s host, Pabi Moloi, introduces Marc Jury, the newly appointed Showmax CEO (he was parachuted in from heading up SuperSport after the surprise exit of Yolisa Phahle).
“This is going to be a different kind of partnership now that we are joined at the hip, and I am looking forward to making magic with you,” Marc tells the Comcast top brass, who flew in for the launch.
It’s during a stint by Cape Town hip-hop king Ready D’s DJ set that it becomes clear why we were all so squashed.
After a light and pyro display, a screen rises at the other end of the room and we are invited to explore a whole new world of interactive pods inspired by Showmax’s roster of programming.
There are drinks to quaff at an Adulting bar, plush couches to sink into in the RHOD lounge and you can even get your mugshot taken like a crim in a booth drawing inspiration from upcoming serial killer drama
Ink, starring Bonko Khoza, Nqobile Nunu Khumalo, Lorcia Cooper Kumalo and Kwenzo Ngcobo.
Among the crowd I spot Mmabatho Mogomotsi, who stars in another Showmax production, Outlaws, for the second time this week.
The first time was the night before at a do celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Wits Theatre in Braamfontein and the launch of the theatre’s Pitso Ya Kalaneng student festival, a collab between the varsity’s school of arts and other performing arts institutes in Gauteng.
The event was MCed by former alumni Zola Nombona and Sicelakuye Zabalaza Mchunu, with speeches by school head Dr René Smith, academic Dr Myer Taub and theatre vet Malcolm Purkey among others, and various performances by the students.
The night started out with guests gathered in the foyer and that’s where I notice Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha talking to an actress who I assume is Motshabi Tylelele, whom I remember had studied at the school.
Instead, it turns out to be Mmabatho, who explains that Dr Jerry was her lecturer when she studied at Wits in the 1990s, and that she can thank the acting legend for her first break, being cast as Beneatha in a Durban Playhouse production of A Raisin in the Sun.
Jerry in turn shares that way back when he studied at the school he was but one of four black students — the others being Makwedini Mtsaka, Themba Wakashe and Ntshaveni Wa Luruli.
“That’s how Wits drama school looked in 1983,” he tells me.
We all move outside to hear the Wits brass band kick off the official bits, where I catch up with another alumni, Rachel Tambo (who graduated with honours in 2000), and Nadia Kruger, who back in the day headed the Wits wardrobe department. Up comes Mmabatho with the real Motshabi to say hello and we all have a giggle, while I turn a shade of Showmax ...