A Day on Mars
Channel: National Geographic Channel (DStv 181)
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: Documentary, Special
An epic journey revealing the real Mars, as you've never seen it before, using data from orbiters and rovers to build accurate views of The Red Planet and uncover its secrets.
On a single circuit of Mars from dawn to dusk, encounter monster volcanos, ancient lakes, alien ice-worlds and spacecraft crash sites.
Explore humanity's Martian obsession, join the relentless search for life there, and hunt for a human home on the red planet's surface.
For centuries, humanity has dreamed of Mars. We've imagined it, told stories about it, made plans for it.
In recent decades, we've managed to send probes and rovers – the latest, In Sight, landing just days ago while the world watched.
But all we've had back is data and grainy stills – we've still never really seen Mars.
With this film, that's about to change. Using the very latest information from the In Sight probe, and the never-seen-before hi-res images from the Hi Rise satellite orbiting Mars, this film will take you on an unprecedented and truly spectacular day-trip to the planet we could all soon be calling home...
The Herd
Channel: Mzansi Wethu (DStv 163)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Drama, Supernatural, Western
Drama series which follows Bheki, a man who needed help many years ago and made a deal with a witchdoctor that came at a great cost to his present.
The series explores the extent to which people will go to obtain their heart's desires, with the premise that love, power and the pursuit of material wealth and can drive a man to sacrifice his soul.
Twenty-eight years ago, Bhekisizwe Mthethwa (Sello Maake Ka-Ncube) was fired from his job at a butchery after sustaining to a leg injury.
With no job, a hungry wife and a baby, Bheki sought out the guidance of the local witchdoctor Ma'Mngadi (Winnie Ntshaba), who promised him a bright future if he was willing to make a great sacrifice.
When we meet Bheki in the present, he's married to Ma'Mngadi with three more children: Muzi (Sparky Xulu), Nkosana (Paballo Mavundla) and Dumazile (Cindy Mahlangu).
It soon becomes apparent that Bheki's big sacrifice still weighs heavily on his soul and when he chooses the successor to his cattle business, we get to see a family at odds and siblings engaged in a bitter rivalry over what each believes to be rightfully theirs.
The cast also includes Zethu Dlomo as the tough and gifted gunslinger, Lwandle; Sihle Ndaba as Bheki's golden child, Kayise; Tiisetso Thoka as the Mthethwa's leading herdsman, Dingane; and Peter Mashigo as the troubled alcoholic, Magubane.
How many sacrifices does it take to hold on to what we treasure the most? And can true love overcome supernatural powers?
TVSA Show Page: The Herd
Hoe Om 'n Perd te Teken
Channel: kykNET (DStv 144)
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: Short Film, Afrikaans
It's late on a winter's night and Leander is tired of life. When he gets into the night bus, he expects the usual cold and empty seats - but it is not an ordinary night.
He meets a young boy who is on his way to the sea alone.
As he tries to convince the boy to go home, Leander realises they have a lot in common. Maybe too much.
Together, the two go on a journey through the past, present and future, and Leander learns that something small - like drawing a horse - can give life new meaning.
Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case
Channel: Lifetime (DStv 131)
TX Time: 21h20
Genre: True Crime, Special
Jayme Closs, a young teenager was kidnapped from her home in Wisconsin, after watching her mother and father murdered before her eyes.
After 88 days in captivity, which began in October 2018, Jayme managed to break free, run for help, and was ultimately rescued.
The special is hosted by famed survivor Elizabeth Smart, who was held captive for nine months at the age of 14 until rescued by authorities.
Now an activist and advocate for missing persons, Smart leads a roundtable of women who know Jayme's nightmare all too well, including Gina DeJesus, Katie Beers, Kara Robinson Chamberlin, Alicia Kozakiewicz, Denise Huskins and Sarah Maynard.
These women are all survivors of their infamous abductions, assaults and attacks and for the first time, are coming together with Elizabeth to help provide valuable insight to Jayme's story.
In Defense Of
Channel: eReality (Openview 108)
TX Time: 21h30
Genre: True Crime, Documentary Series
Crime series that explores the complex relationships between notorious defendants and the attorneys who represented them.
The top defence lawyers on the infamous cases of Timothy McVeigh, Jodi Arias, Branch Davidians member Clive Doyle and Ted Bundy will share their very personal, at times provocative take on events.
From putting their reputations on the line, and in some cases their own lives, to the personal sacrifices made the series highlights what these lawyers endured in order to defend the largely unfavoured.
In each hour-long, standalone episode, In Defense Of will give a unique point of view on headline-grabbing cases with first-hand accounts from their high-profile defence attorneys.
From details of the most personal moments between attorney and client to their staunch belief in protection of rights for all Americans, each episode will detail the evolution of their relationships and have you questioning your own preconceptions of each case.
The series includes the following four cases:
Timothy McVeigh: The Oklahoma City Bomber
Chris Tritico was one of the lead defence attorneys representing Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City Bombing case in 1997, which became the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil up until 9/11, killing 168 people and injuring over 600.
Tritico was one of only five attorneys in the country who raised their hand to defend McVeigh.
During the trial, Tritico surprisingly forged a very close relationship with McVeigh and ultimately became the most trusted member on his defence team.
McVeigh was executed in 2001 for his crimes.
Clive Doyle: The Branch Davidians
Successful defence attorney Dan Cogdell represented Clive Doyle during the 1993 case of the Branch Davidians.
After a 51-day standoff ended in the tragic deaths of 75 people, the case gained national attention and was recognised as the largest military force ever used against civilian suspects.
Cogdell represented Doyle alongside 16 other attorneys and the 11 Branch Davidian members that survived the event.
After a seven-week trial that encompassed 130 witnesses and nearly 1,500 pieces of evidence, Doyle was acquitted of all charges.
Jodi Arias: The Murder of Travis Alexander
Kirk Nurmi worked in a public defender's office for 10 years before getting assigned to the Jodi Arias case in 2008, in which she was arrested as the lead suspect for the brutal murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander.
During the trial, Nurmi's discomfort working on the Arias case grew exponentially to the point where he put in multiple requests for his dismissal, but was denied each time.
Arias was ultimately convicted but dodged the death penalty, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Ted Bundy: Serial Killer
John Henry Browne has represented defendants in a number of high-profile cases, but none would compare to the five years he spent defending serial killer Ted Bundy, who was accused of killing over 30 women in four states.
Browne was out of law school for three years before being sought out by Bundy to cover his case.
Through the course of the trial, Bundy confessed unimaginable things to Browne that he never told anyone prior.
The confessions shocked Browne to his core, leading him to completely question his line of work.
In 1989, Bundy was executed at a Florida State prison.