Running with the Reps is a South African reality television series produced by New Vision Pictures which follows the daily lives of the different personalities that make up the trendy and influential Johannesburg-based dance group The Repertoires.
The series originally aired on DStv's Vuzu channel from 4 March, 2011 to 23 May, 2012. It later aired on DStv's Mzansi Wethu channel. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 2 premiered on Mzansi Wethu on Tuesday 6 August 2013, at 20h00. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are 13 episodes in the second and final season.
Season 1
Running with the Reps follows the daily lives of the different personalities that make up the trendy and influential Johannesburg-based dance group The Repertoires.
The show features the six main group members: Nthato Malete, Larry "Larryngitis" Mncube-Nhlane, Michael Makwala, Senhle "T-Chama" Mazibuko, The Thundacats - Kea and Thato Deluxe - as well as Tejee "DJ Ellipsis" Mbuyamba.
The show follows the Reps as they master new creative moves, organise events as well as tours whilst juggling their personal lives and own business ventures.
In the first episode we meet the crew members and they take us on a trip down memory lane of how and why the group was formed. We catch up with the guys as they embark on finding what they have dubbed as "The Rep Mansion" - a new home for their ever-growing family.
We discover the "spaceship shower", meet Larry's other half as well as Nthato's son.
It's not all about business and the serious; we get to experience the nightlife scene as well... Repertoires style.
Season 2
In the first season The Repertoires - Nthato Malete, Larry "Larryngitis" Mncube-Nhlane, Michael Makwala, Senhle "T-Chama" Mazibuko, The Thundacats as well as Tejee "DJ Ellipsis" Mbuyamba - combined heart-stopping dancing and entertainment with all the drama of trying to hustle living in Jozi, the City Of Gold.
Now Running with the Reps returns to Vuzu and Larry promises "some of the best footage to come out of South Africa".
"There will be more drama, more dancing and viewers will see the Reps become an even bigger entity," the co-founder of the dance crew reveals.
Episode 1 picks up with a recap of all the drama from Season 1. We find out what the boys have been up to since, and most importantly, has the conflict between Nthato and TJ been resolved?
From there on in it's all about how this long-standing crew of hip-hop dancers take it to the next level – with their dancing, their careers, their personal lives, their business and of course, their singular style.
Of course, the other big question is whether all of this is possible when The Reps once again move into The Rep Mansion. As viewers of Season 1 know all too well, living under one roof isn't always easy and can make for divisions within the group.
But staying together also means instant parties and, as Season 1 proved, The Reps know how to get their party on.
Episode 2 of Season 2 follows the guys as they head out for a night on the town, though just as the night ends, drama awaits for some members of the crew.
Could it be downhill from there as Running with the Reps 2 hits its stride? Or do the boys have what it takes to make up and pull together to prove to South Africa and the world that their plans for an empire and world domination are not just a pipe-dream?
The Repertoires
The cast of Running with the Reps (25)
The most controversial member of the group. Co-founder of The Repertoires and father figure to the younger members of the crew and events coordinator. He has a show on VoW FM (Voice of Wits).
Nthato is the father of baby Khumo, who is 18 months old. He is spoken for (on and off) by Refiloe Dikgole. The couple took part in Vuzu's anti-dating reality show, Vixens, after which Refiloe broke up with the player due to pressure from family and friends who had watched the show.
Larry "Larryngitis" Mncube-Nhlane (21)
Co-founder of The Repertoires dance group. Young, energetic, creative and self-driven, this young socialite has managed to build himself as a brand.
Larry is an aspiring television presenter, emcee, dancer, mood-manager, Pati Animal columnist, entertainment writer for Kasi Times and Checkmate shades brand ambassador. He is also a radio presenter on the popular Rhythm 100 internet radio station.
He is working on a dance theatre production and hopes to start a clothing label in 2011.
His mother was the first and most influential supporter of the Repertoires crew. She mentored the group and was seen as the mother figure by the boys. She passed away in 2008.
Larry is learning to find his way into adulthood without his parents.
Michael Makwala (23)
The manager of the crew, also known as 'The General', Mike joined the Repertoires in 2007, and has played a key role by helping the crew get to where they are today.
He is the enforcer and disciplinarian. Michael's aggressive approach to life and his competitive nature help him get through life's trials and tribulations.
Michael has a 'hate me or love me' attitude, and isn't really fazed by other people's judgements or opinions. Highly athletic, Mike is a straightforward and honest guy, with a witty sense of humour.
Quite the entrepreneur, Mike has numerous businesses running, one being a logistics company with his older brother.
Senhle "T-Chama" Mazibuko (20)
A senior member of the crew, Chama started out with the Reps when he was 16 years old and has been very interested in the business side of things ever since.
Chama loves to laugh and most people like to hear his contagious laugh. An entertainer at heart, he has an interest in radio and modelling. He is also an aspiring emcee. He one day wishes to own a music record label as music is his passion.
Chama believes in giving back and plans on investing a lot of his time and money to charity. His biggest wish is for the crew to be a major success.
The Thundacats: Kea and Thato Deluxe (17)
Owners of Deluxe Entertainment. The duo are still high school students. These young Reps are juggling their school work and professional dancing against their parents' will.
Tejee 'DJ Ellipses' Mbuyamba (21)
Repertoires' house DJ, fun-loving guy, 'joker', 'blonde' and studying Engineering at UJ. Tejee speaks his mind no matter the consequences.
A spoilt brat who gets everything he wants from his parents, he loves the gym and has a unique approach with the ladies. He is in a relationship with long time crush, Thando Valery. His commitment level, however, is questionable, as is his dress sense.
SeasonsSeason 1 (13 episodes)
Channel: Vuzu | Premiere: 4 Mar 2011 | Finale: 27 May 2011 | Fridays, 19h30
Channel: Mzansi Wethu | Premiere: 7 May 2013 | Finale: 30 Jul 2013 | Tuesdays, 20h00
Season 2 (13 episodes)
Channel: Vuzu | Premiere: 29 Feb 2012 | Finale: 23 May 2012 | Wednesdays, 19h30
Channel: Mzansi Wethu | Premiere: 6 Aug 2013 | Finale: 5 Nov 2013 | Tuesdays, 20h00