5 Safta-nominated soapies that should be on your radar

WITH the 16th South African Film and Television Awards (Safta) nominations announced this week, we take a look at what’s cooking on some of the show favourites under the public voting category.

Diepcity airs weekdays at 8.30pm on Mzansi Magic, Dstv Channel 161.

Diepcity is a tale that not only has an explosive, gripping storyline, but one that exposes the lived realities of most South Africans – crime and poverty. It focuses on disillusioned young women forced into crime while in high school to make ends meet. The show was created by Gwydion Beynon, Phathu Makwarela, Mandla N and Mpumelelo Nhlapo and produced by

Black Brain Pictures. The soapie earned 10 nominations at the Saftas.

Suidooster airs Monday to Friday at 6.30pm on kyknet (Dstv 144) and kyknet & kie (Dstv 145).

Suidooster is another firm favourite, with 10 nominations in the bag.

Suidooster has transformed the South African soapie scene, showcasing diversity and inclusivity while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats thanks to dramatic twists and plots. Starring Denise Newman, Cedwyn Joel, Maurice Paige, Jill Levenberg, Dean Smith and Jawaahier Petersen among others, Suidooster tells the stories of the residents of Ruiterbosch, a fictitious Cape Town suburb. Though there is deceit and betrayal, there are also heart-warming tales and some comic relief.

The Estate airs Monday to Friday at 7pm on SABC3.

The Estate is one of three new telenovelas to receive three nods. The channel has announced the return of the award-winning drama.

The Estate is a gripping, game-changing premium drama that probes topical issues in South Africa: land and identity, corruption, patronage, money, power, class and equality, all told through a mix of South African families who live in the luxury Echelon Estate and the neighbouring community in Thembalethu township.

The drama introduces a new family this season. Viewers get to meet the Nobengela family. Dumisani Mbebe joins the cast as Melisizwe, the patriarch in the Nobengela household. He is a businessman and political fixer associated with Castro Kamanga. Lerato

Mvelase plays Melisizwe’s wife, Noxolo, an interior design business owner. Melisizwe and Noxolo relocate to Johannesburg with their children, Gcinekile (Samke Makhoba), Vukani (Siya Xaba) and Mzolisi (Anga Makubalo). Moopi Mothibeli also joins the show as Mohau Kabi, a smart Bachelor of Science in Engineering student.

The River airs on 1Magic, Monday to Friday at 8pm.

Judging by the strong cast in this soap, what’s not to love? You can easily get caught up in the drama. The River is set in Pretoria and follows the lives of the Dlaminis and the Mokoenas, two families from different backgrounds brought together and divided by the discovery of a diamond in Cullinan. The River was created by Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon, and garnered 11 nominations at the Saftas.

Arendsvlei airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on kyknet & Kie.

Arendsvlei is a telenovela that keeps the country in suspense repeatedly.

Currently on the show, the death of a well-known Arendsvlei resident has shaken the community. But before Pieter van Schalkwyk’s (Ivan Abrahams) sudden death, he revealed a secret to Debra (Kay Smith) that is going to heat things up in the Vlei. Pieter told Debra her grandmother had a child with George Cupido, Beatrice (Jolene Martin) and Thys’ (Sherman Pharo) father. But does the Cupido family know about his or her existence?

We are eager to find out what the next step is for Debra, as her villain mother Ingrid is never an easy problem to solve.