Kwesta joins MTV Shuga
TURNING THE LENS ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AMONG TEENS Pregnancy, transactional sex and living with HIV highlighted in star-studded MTV drama.
westa, Seyi Shay, Given Stuurman, Ayanda Makayi, Stephanie Sandows, Winnie Ntshaba and Samkelisiwe Makhoba are to join the talented ensemble cast for the upcoming fifth series of MTV’s gripping pro-social drama, newly tagged Shuga: Down South.
Hip-hop star Kwesta and Afro-pop diva Seyi Shay will be making cameo appearances as themselves in the new series, which premieres in March on MTV Base (DStv channel 322). Other key roles are played by Lerato Walaza, as irresponsible teenage mother and party lover Zamo, while Phila Mazibuko plays the role of happy-go-lucky township boy DJ Coalstove. Produced by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and MTV Base, MTV Shuga, an award-winning “edutainment” drama that has been proven to actively change behaviour relating to HIV prevention, went into production in Johannesburg in December, turning its lens on the issues of sexual and reproductive health among teenagers and young women in South Africa.
Having successfully highlighted issues affecting young people in Kenya and Nigeria for nearly a decade, MTV Shuga is using powerful contemporary storylines and relatable characters to disseminate public health messages targeted squarely at South African youth.
It particularly focuses on adolescent girls and their vulnerability to HIV infection and unintended pregnancy, and exploring sexual identity.
The new cast members join previously announced cast members Vanessa Mdee (Storm), Clint Brink (Rakeem), Thuso Mbedu (Ipeleng), Mohau Mokoatle Cele (Bongi), Jezriel Skei (Quinton), Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ikubese (Femi), Nick Mutuma (Leo) and Adesua Etomi (Sheila).
Set in the cool clubs, hang-
Given Stuurman (Invictus, Konig Otto, Straight Outta Benoni) plays tormented youth Reggie, a handsome, talented soccer star struggling to understand his sexual identity, and make his own path in the world.
Stephanie Sandows (Scandal, Bonisanani) – gets her teeth into the role of precocious, mercenary teenager, Tsholo
Ayanda Makayi outs and schools of Johannesburg’s Braamfontein, and the township of “Zenzele”, a fictional version of Soweto, MTV Shuga will premiere (Against the Wild 2: Survive the Serengeti, Skorokoro, Jana und der Buschpilot) creates the role of Sol, a spoilt 20-something and Tsholo’s possessive boyfriend.
Winnie Mashaba (Generations) Neliswe, is the hyper-religious mother to impressionable 15-year-old school girl Khensani. across Africa on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322), BET (DStv channel 129) and BET International. The series will also air on other broadcasters around the world. – Citizen reporter