Taxi Ride is a South African television comedy series created by David Kau as a continuation of his 2012 feature film of the same name and produced by Disadvantaged Background Productions which follows the characters from the film to see what their lives entail away from the taxi rank.
The series originally aired on Mzansi Magic from 5 February to 5 March, 2013, on Tuesdays at 21h00. It later aired on Mzansi Wethu. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Taxi Ride premiered on Mzansi Wethu on Monday 22 July 2013, at 21h30. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are five hour-long episodes on the series.
Synopsis
Hot off the success of the movie Taxi Ride - which caused a stir on social media networks after its broadcast on Mzansi Magic - comes Taxi Ride the series.
In the movie we were introduced to the characters, but we didn't know anything about their dynamic backgrounds. In the series we have more time to get to know them better, and we see what their lives entail away from the taxi rank.
A storyline that runs throughout the five episodes is one in which the two taxi drivers Dlamini (Skhumba Hlophe) and Bhakabhaka (Sifiso Nene) are trying to start an airline.
In the series premiere, Dlamini and Bhakabhaka are back and they let us in on their big dreams. We discover that Shampoo is more of a character than he let on in the movie.
Meanwhile, Mr and Mrs Chuene try to work things out for the sake of their family and marriage.
The series was created, produced and directed by David Kau. The screenplay was by Rorisang Motuba and Kgosi Chuene with additional writing by Thapelo Tips Seemise, Skhumba Hlophe and Sifiso Nene.
Characters
Shampoo (played by Thapelo Tips Seemise)
Shampoo is an ordinary guy from the hood who feels he has a lot to prove to the world. He is on a mission to become the greatest all round everything guy in the country.
He has a friend named Phanuel who does everything with him; they are childhood school friends and live in the same neighbourhood. He is 27 years old.
His Matric results are not really known and he has a past of failing in all his endeavours but he constantly wins people over with his unflinching conviction — verbally at least.
He is unwillingly involved in a relationship with Mary and is constantly on the run from her or trying to avoid her at all costs.
Phanuel (played by Chris Mapane)
He is 25 years old, and has recently lost his job at Boxer because of his constant wondering with Shampoo. Nonetheless he is a very focused guy who is always on time and never disappoints.
He has been single for about three years now, and has also been struggling to get into a tertiary institution, he is just about to give up on his dream of furthering his education.
He is very passionate about making his friend's dream come true and supports him with everything. Phanuel is less familiar with the rank.
Mary (played by Thenjiwe Masondo)
Mary is the lovesick puppy of Taxi Ride. She is head over heels in love with Shampoo, who in reality she had a one night stand with, but in her mind is convinced he is the love of her life.
She spends every waking hour trying to nudge him closer to marriage - or at least acknowledgement of their relationship.
Kumba (played by Mpho Popps Modikoane)
At 30 years of age, this man has many faces...literally. Each time he shows up, he is dressed different, talking differently.
There is almost nothing he is not able to sell from a Boeing 747 to Chappies bubblegum. He is a loud person with a mischievous side, misdirecting people. He is constantly insinuating himself into situations and places his presence is otherwise unnecessary in.
Dlamini (played by Skhumba Hlophe)
Dlamini is 32 years old and an extremely short-tempered man. Rude, and very quick to point out the faults of all the people around him.
He has dreams of making it to the big leagues and becoming a legitimate businessman, with his partner in crime Bhakabhaka. They dream up a scheme of starting a local airline aimed at the taxi passenger market.
Bhakabhaka (played by Sifiso Nene)
Bhakabhaka is Dlamini's good friend from back in the day. They operate their taxi business from the same taxi rank. He has a wife called Ma Khumalo, and they are going through a rough time in their relationship.
He believes in tradition and his culture, and we see him speaking Zulu. He won't communicate with anyone who doesn't speak his language. He is stubborn and his friend Dlamini is the only one who he takes advice from.
Breyonce (played by Lebo Mazule)
Pertunia is 22 years old and she is a doing her third year of matric. This girl is on a search for a man she met last week who promised her a relationship and house when they met.
She is determined to become a star and is only too willing to use her relationships with Phanuel and Mr Chuene to get to where she is going.
She is so obsessed about Beyonce that she calls herself Breyonce.
Solomon (played by Mohau Losaba, aka DJ Franky)
Solomon is a 29-year-old financial adviser, Pirates fan and functioning alcoholic. He met the taxi drivers on a taxi ride back to Polokwane after losing his car whilst gambling.
He offers financial advice to Dlamini and Bhakabhaka on how to go about realizing their Bosso airways dream.
Elphious (played by Obakeng Ntong)
This is a 22-year-old young man, he is an arrogant advertising student in Johannesburg and is originally from Polokwane. He is Mr and Mrs Chuene's son.
He spends his time prepping social events and offering his unsolicited critic on them. He is a diva of note.
Kuli Roberts (played by herself)
Kuli Roberts is a celebrity whose career seems to be in trouble. She is highly talkative, and has no care about the effect her abrasive nature has on the people around her.
Mr Chuene (played by Finzo Sefatsa, aka DJ Finzo)
Mr. Chuene is a well-established business man. He is Elpheous' father and Mrs Chuene's husband. He agrees to invest in the airline the two taxi drivers propose to him, as his intent on winning his family back after they find out about the affair he had with Breyonce.
Antonella (played by Eda Rose)
This is a young lady who seems to be looking for the authentic South African experience while on holiday. We pick up on very few words that she speaks because she only speaks Italian.
She is a very friendly young lady, but because she also does not understand what is happening around her and finds herself agreeing to strange proposals.
Gubi (played by Mzwandile Ngubeni)
Gubi is the lovable loser who stumbles across Antonella the Italian Tourist at the taxi rank. As a result of the misunderstandings caused by the language barrier between them, he somehow manages to convince her for her hand in marriage.
He spends all his time working on the preparations for his wedding to Antonella and dealing with the lobola negotiations.
Seasons
Season 1 (5 episodes)
Channel: Mzansi Magic | Premiere: 5 Feb 2013 | Finale: 5 Mar 2013 | Tue, 21h00
Channel: Mzansi Wethu | Premiere: 22 Jul 2013 | Finale: 19 Aug 2013 | Mon, 21h30