Zabalaza is a South African television documentary series produced for SABC1 that celebrates Youth Month (June) each year in South Africa, documenting post-1994 youth struggles.
The four 60-minute episodes that make up each season focus on different issues affecting today's youth. The show uses 70% African languages and 30% English.
The series aired on SABC1 from 5 June, 2007 to 24 June, 2008. There are eight hour-long episodes in two seasons. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Synopsis
The stories of the series are based on what the youth consider to be the latest 'struggles' - post 1994 democracy.
The struggle for the youth of 1976 was the struggle for political freedom and democracy. Today's youth struggle is different as they face issues surrounding economic emancipation, living a healthy lifestyle, HIV and AIDS, substance abuse, peer pressure, xenophobia etc.
Season 2 Episodes
Episode 1: Whose Politics Is It Anyway?
(3 June)
A common misunderstanding is that young people are not interested in politics, but the questions that are hardly ever asked are: What politics are the youth interested in? How do their interests differ from those of adults? What are the issues and challenges that young people face now compared to the past?
In this documentary young people from different backgrounds share their views and opinions about what various political concepts mean to them.
Episode 2: Ghetto Vibe
(10 June)
How do the youth react to our brutal past and social ills committed during the apartheid rule?
Ghetto Vibe interrogates the past and looks at its impact on the present with a specific study of the resulting manifestations of crime and social ills that affect all levels of society.
Episode 3: Languages
(17 June)
This documentary investigates language in South Africa and seeks to respond to the question: Indigenous SA languages - are they dying?
Other key questions adressed include: What is the impact of Globalization on indigenous languages? South Africans don't seem to take pride in their heritage - how does this impact on language and identity?
The use of the English language in the job market, in the business sector and in the media - what impact does it have on local indigenous languages?
The documentary will also feature success stories on young people who have embraced their languages and cultures in the modern society.
Episode 4: Zamile's Story - Disability and Unemployment
(24 June)
Zamile Klaas is a 28-year old blind man with an honours degree in journalism who is struggling to find employment.
Despite also achieving a diploma in computer literacy and being fluent in Xhosa, Sepedi, English and Afrikaans, he is currently living with his mother in a squatter camp in Umtata.
He has gone through more than 300 unsuccessful job applications - why?
This documentary asks: does South African society cater for educated disabled people, or has he been doing something wrong?
Seasons
Series exclusive to SABC1
Season 1 (4 episodes)
Premiere: 5 June 2007 | Finale: 26 June 2007 | Tuesdays, 21h00
Season 2 (4 episodes)
Premiere: 3 June 2008 | Finale: 24 June 2008 | Tuesdays, 21h00