Mzansi Magic has just raised the bar with three original telenovelas that are unapologetically local, deeply layered, and rich in narrative firepower. Welcome INIMBA, GENESIS, and ITHONGA a triple-dose of daily drama designed to captivate South African audiences with storytelling that reflects our complex realities, bold ambitions, and spiritual journeys.
In a media experience hosted at the stylish Artistry venue in Sandton, the press got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative forces driving these shows. Key producers, writers, and MultiChoice executives shared their passion for nurturing authentic South African storytelling underlining the broadcaster’s firm commitment to investing in local content that resonates with homegrown audiences.
“South African stories deserve South African screens,” was the message echoed throughout the evening. MultiChoice continues to prioritise homegrown production as a powerful tool for cultural preservation, job creation, and creative excellence.
GENESIS (Weekdays at 19:30)
The Gospel Industry, Unfiltered
Genesis dives headfirst into the layered and often-overlooked world of gospel music not just as a spiritual art form, but as a full-fledged industry with egos, economics, and emotional drama at play. “We often view gospel through a church-only lens, but there’s a business side that’s rarely explored,” shared Showrunner Lefowa. “Not everyone who sings gospel is doing it purely out of faith; for many, it’s a career with contracts, competition, and commercial stakes. That’s the world Genesis seeks to unpack.”
Kagiso Mogale, the series’ head writer and executive producer, added: “At its heart, Genesis is a story of an underdog the kind of narrative viewers naturally root for. If the storyline doesn’t pull you in immediately, the music absolutely will. We curated the soundtrack to be both nostalgic and emotionally powerful, and the early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Audiences are clearly hungry for fresh, dynamic storytelling that breaks the mould.”
Expect a heady blend of spiritual tension, industry power dynamics, and gospel melodies that stay with you long after the credits roll.
ITHONGA (Weekdays at 20:30)
Spiritual Lineage Meets the Construction Mafia
If Genesis is spiritual hustle, Ithonga is ancestral reckoning. This gritty telenovela explores the high-stakes world of construction tenders, family betrayal, and spiritual identity anchored by a set of twins played with chilling contrast by Bonko Khoza. Banele is a hardened businessman deep in murky tender dealings, while Sanele is the soulful counterpart trying to keep the family grounded.
With ancestral prophecies, sibling rivalry, and secrets buried deep within the family business, Ithonga is a tale of legacy, loss, and the spiritual wars that rage beneath the surface of modern life. The show leans into the tension between tradition and capitalism and does it with visual flair, narrative complexity, and a magnetic lead performance.
INIMBA (Weekdays at 21:00)
The Cost of Ambition, The Pain of Absence
Aptly titled Inimba the isiXhosa word for “wound” this emotional drama centres on a trailblazing IT guru who leaves her family behind to chase an international career opportunity. Years later, she returns home as a respected CEO, only to be confronted by the wounds of abandonment and a complicated relationship with her daughter who ends up unknowingly joining her company as an intern.
This is a moving tale of motherhood, ambition, sacrifice, and second chances. It speaks to the emotional weight carried by women who choose success in systems that often ask them to trade love for legacy. It’s as tender as it is thought-provoking a fitting nightcap to a power-packed prime-time lineup.
At Artistry, the media was offered a rare opportunity to engage directly with the creators and executives behind these shows. The evening laid bare the meticulous research, writing, casting, and music curation that have gone into making each telenovela feel distinct yet undeniably South African.
Mzansi Magic isn’t just filling time slots it’s driving a storytelling revolution. By investing in narratives that reflect the hopes, tensions, traditions, and ambitions of local viewers, the channel is forging a future where South African television leads with authenticity and heart.
