Local thrillers to feature on History
Their shows will air alongside icons like Morgan Freeman and William Shatner. STORYTELLERS: SA JOURNOS BRING TALES TO LIFE
Mandy Wiener and John Robbie, experienced South African journalists, anchor two episodes of the History Channel Africa’s local documentary Great African Crimes and Great African Mysteries season 2.
They will appear on DStv channel 186 alongside international celebrities such as Morgan Freeman, Dan Aykroyd, Laurence Fishburne and William Shatner.
The channel’s newest local show, Great African Crimes with Mandy Wiener, will uncover the details behind some of the most riveting crimes from South Africa’s past.
This gripping one-off show will unravel three dramatic crimes that left the nation stunned and captivated.
It will form part of the History Channel Africa’s dedicated Crime Month in October.
Wiener says she is excited: “Great African Crimes has all the ingredients of a compelling TV show – really interesting crimes, complex characters, intriguing narratives, the backdrop of the African context.
“I’m looking forward to telling these stories and working with a great team of producers and creators.
“I hope to bring my two decades of experience in the news environment, telling crime stories, to this project.”
Great African Mysteries with John Robbie, will be back for its second season in August.
The show returns to investigate three of South Africa’s most fascinating and little-known mysteries after a successful first installment last year.
About two billion years ago, an asteroid measuring at least 10km across crashed into Earth, near the present-day town of Vredefort.
Robbie will investigate how Johannesburg’s goldfields were preserved and protected by this mighty blast.
Robbie said: “As with the first season, this show will educate, thrill and challenge people’s perceptions about aspects of the past in Africa.
“South Africa, and indeed Africa, have such incredible history and prehistory, and so much of it has either been forgotten or not widely taught.
“I’m hoping this project will inspire people to look into this with newly opened minds.”
Both documentaries are produced by Clive Morris Productions.
In September, the channel will once again bring you the poignant short-form series, My History Moments.
Notable South Africans
will share pivotal moments from their lives which have historical significance and profound personal meaning. Last year, global business speaker Vusi Thembekwayo, broadcaster David O’Sullivan and singer-songwriter Yvonne Chaka Chaka were among those who shared their moving stories. Another new famous face on the History Channel is Emmy Award-winning Christopher Eccleston, who stars in The Guilty Innocent with Christopher Eccleston. This gripping new series explores some of the world’s most infamous cases of wrongful convictions. Returning favourites include Shatner who, in July, will host the latest season of The UnXplained with William Shatner; in September, the puzzles of the world’s most enigmatic unsolved mysteries will be unpacked in season 5 of History’s Greatest Mysteries with Laurence Fishburne. Academy Award-winner Morgan Freeman executive produces and features in 761st Tank Battalion: The Original Black Panthers in October. It tells the true story of the first black tank unit to serve in combat during World War 2 and explores the battles they faced overseas in combat and back home in the US.