The Broadcast Complaints Commission of South Africa has reached a verdict on the
controversial sexploits that hit Generations: The Legacy in July and has found the production not guilty of breaching the broadcast Code of Conduct.
The ruling comes with a "but" which states that the show has to place this audience advisory message on screen as a warning for "ultra-suggestive" scenes:
"Today's episode may contain some scenes which involve suggestive sex. Viewer discretion is advised."
According to BCCSA, they received approximately 160 complaints in total, with four of them in writing - complaints have to be in writing for the BCCSA to pursue them.
The complaints were directed at multiple scenes, specifically scenes that aired between Tuesday, 11 and Tuesday, 18 July.
The scenes that sparked the biggest outcry were the ones involving Smanga's "threesome" (
Moopi Mothibeli) with Thabi (Motsoaledi Setumo) and Tshidi (Letoya Makhene), as well as scenes between Nolwazi (Thando Thabethe) and Mazwi (Musa Ngema).
There were also complaints about the bedroom scenes between Mrekza (Kope Makgae) and Lucy (Manaka Ranaka) - because of them being in relationships - and the models who ripped off their gowns to reveal bikini's amidst it all.
The complaints stated that the show should either be moved later, at a time when children aren’t watching TV, or it should be given an age restriction of 18 or it should be removed completely - none of which the BCCSA agreed with.
The judgement was made by BCCSA commissioner Bonke Dumisa who concluded:
The question to be asked is whether any of the scenes being complained of were showing explicit sexual conduct? The answer is NO.
It is, however, conceded that most of the scenes complained of involving Nolwazi and Mazwi, Smanga and Thabi, and Smanga and Tshidi do test the thin line between suggestive sex and explicit sex.
The groaning kisses and/or systematic removal of clothing do also test the thin line between suggestive sex and explicit sex.
The scenes involving models in bikinis and/or removing gowns to show their bikinis cannot however be regarded as sexually suggestive, as this is a normal occurrence in the modelling world, and models are always associated with bikinis and bras in public.
No video could be found to support any contention that scenes involving Mrekza and Lucy in bed contained any sexually suggestive conduct.
Here's a link to the full judgement for you to pour over:
BCCSA judgment on Generations: The Legacy (August 2017)