Umkhokha: The Curse
Channel: Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
TX Time: 20h30
Genre: Telenovela
A telenovela conceived as a spin-off prequel from the drama series
Umkhokha, which takes us to the beginning of the original story to uncover how it all came to be.
After ending Umkhokha on a cliffhanger, the series about two families at war promises a new era.
Rather than picking up where the original series left off, Umkhokha: The Curse takes us to the beginning of the story: how – and when – did it all begin?
How did we get to a place where the fictional mega-church Ithempeli Lenkosi became a deadly battleground?
At the start of the new series, we're introduced to the key players as we unpack and get to know them.
We also witness the chain of events that results in the battle of leadership, and the dangerous rivalry between the Mthembu and Gumede/Mzobe families, a life and death battle... all in the name of God and power.
Premised on the idea that the love of power and greed are the root of evil, even in the holiest of places, Umkhokha: The Curse takes things to another level.
Returning cast members include Deli Malinga as MaMzobe, Sibonile Ngubane as Difa, Nay Maps as Sphamandla and Hope Mbhele as Mabusi.
New cast members include Gcinile Nkosi as MaNzimande (replacing Sthandiwe Kgoroge) and Daniel Hadebe as Reggie (replacing Mondli Makhoba).
Umkhokha is produced by Rhythm World Productions by executive producer Duma Ndlovu.
MORE:
Umkhokha: The Curse Teasers - March 2023
TVSA Show Page: Umkhokha: The Curse
Deal or No Deal
Channel: SABC1
TX Time: 19h30
Genre: Game Show, Quiz Show
A second South African version of the international television game show created by John de Mol for Endemol Netherlands in which the core idea in all countries is the same: one contestant in a high thrills face-off with mystery suitcases.
The series features one contestant, one host, a banker and a battalion of suitcases each containing a different amount of money between R1 and R250,000.
This is the second South African version of the show -
the first aired for two seasons on M-Net, from 2007-2008.
This version is hosted by Katlego Maboe.
The Game
The money suitcases are brought on set and opened by a bevy of gorgeous leggy models.
To start the game, the contestant must pick a suitcase in which he or she hopes to reveal the million bucks - a one in 26 chance.
This suitcase is potentially the contestant's prize, i.e., what they can take home... if, of course, they do not take the deal.
Then the game of choice begins: the contestant must open the remaining 25 suitcases one at a time.
The suitcases are opened and the amounts revealed are struck from a big screen money grid, bringing us ever closer to knowing what amount is held in the contestant's case.
But there's a catch.
The Banker can buy back the contestant's case, based on what amounts are left in play and on what the banker feels the case is worth.
So at predetermined intervals the contestant is given a bank offer.
The contestant now decides whether it is a "Deal!" or "No Deal" - to take the bank offer or to continue opening cases.
If the contestant decides not to take the deal and he or she opens low value cases, then the next bank offer is likely to be higher (and visa versa).
But the banker may also decide to be risky.
The game continues in this way until the contestant takes a deal OR he/she opens the last case.
In taking the deal the contestant goes home with the money offered.
In playing to the last case, the contestant takes home what is in their case, be it R1 or R250,000.
The Risk
When the chips are down it's all about making the right decision and how much you can risk.
Can the contestant call the banker's bluff? Can he or she keep their cool and sail through the rounds?
Will the contestant dissolve into a heap of nerves and strike a deal... or will they play on and end up with nothing?!
TVSA Show Page: Deal or No Deal
Judge Judy 21
Channel: CBS Reality (DStv 132)
TX Time: 15h45
Genre: Court Show, Reality
With her outspoken style, hard-hitting decisiveness and engaging wit, Judge Judith Sheindlin single-handedly reinvented the courtroom genre.
A former New York family court judge known for her ability to cut through a dispute and get to the core of the emotional issue at hand, Judge Judy acts as a moral compass for people seeking guidance, resolution and common sense in their lives.
Judge Judy's goal is to make a lasting impression that will discourage repeat offenders and help heal families and victims of injustice.
In the Season 21 premiere: A love letter, diamond necklace and truck come into play when a single mother barters her babysitting services with another child's father.
Real Health 16
Channel: The Home Channel (DStv 176)
TX Time: 18h00
Genre: Lifestyle, Talk Show
In an age where we lead faster, more complex and highly demanding lives, now, more than ever, we need to be taking care of our health.
Prevention, they say, is better than cure, and Real Health aims to give you the knowledge and insights to make the right choices to keep you healthy, both physically, mentally and spiritually.
Each week, wellness enthusiast Michael Porter chats to a variety of guests from the world of holistic health to find out more about quality lifestyle, nutrition, movement, and mental and spiritual wellness.
Together they discuss what we need to consider when it comes to maintaining good health, from the actions that we can, and should, be taking, to the risks that we face as well as the solutions to overcoming lifestyle and health issues.
Michael talks to integrative medical practitioners, life and wellness coaches, nutritionists, therapists, and experts from an array of other disciplines who have the expertise and knowledge that will support your wellness journey.
This is not just about fixing what is broken, but about empowering you, the viewer, with the information that you need to get yourself on the right track so that you can extend your health-span to live a long and happy life.
Catfish UK 3
Channel: MTV (DStv 130)
TX Time: 19h50
Genre: Reality
Oobah Butler and co-host Nella Rose are here to help you get to the bottom of your online romances and find out once and for all if the person you've fallen for is real.
In the Season 3 premiere, "Shan and Tom": Shan and Tom met and dated in the Metaverse, fell in love but sadly broke up.
Now Shan wants to find out whether Tom really was who he said he was.
The Wife 2
Channel: Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
TX Time: 21h30
Genre: Soapie, Telenovela
Season 2 is inspired by the follow-up novel, Zandile the Resolute.
The role of Zandile, the fierce matriarch of the Zulu family, is played by Khanyi Mbau; and Mondli Makhoba reprises his role as Nkosana, the eldest Zulu brother.
Zandile had already served 10 years in jail for the murder of her mother when the love of her life, Nkosana, finally broke her out of jail at the end of Season 1.
Being on the outside is a big adjustment, but not as big a challenge as winning back her children's love, rebuilding her marriage, and establishing herself as matriarch in a crime family where another woman, Hlomu (Mbalenhle Mavimbela), has been calling the shots in her absence.
In the Season 2 premiere, "Prisoner 47735": The brothers have pulled off the heist of their lives and the grand escape promises Zandile a new lease on life, but at what cost and how long for?
TVSA Show Page: The Wife 2
uBettina Wethu 3
Channel: SABC1
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: Telenovela
Bettina (Betty), everyone's favourite bestie, returns in a more quirky, funny, self-assured, and motivated way than ever.
uBettina Wethu is a dramedy that is an adaptation of the Columbian series Yo Soy Betty La Fea, a television drama successfully adapted for local audiences in 19 countries – including the US adaptation Ugly Betty.
In Season 3, Betty gets all the things that she wants but just not the thing that she needs.
She gets the position of Managing Director very soon into the season because she has the shares, because Linda trusts her and because Dingaan has been struggling to run the business.
She gets quickly elevated into a more powerful position, but now has to deal with the reality of what managers and shareholders have to deal with.
She has to worry about salaries, payments and the fact that she's now in management and has friends who are not.
She's getting the experience of what she wants, to run a company, but she realises it isn't those coloured dreams she thought it would be.
In the Season 3 premiere, "Flying High": Things are looking for up for Betty, both in her career and love life but it's a hard being back home.
Desperate to track down Delilah, Dingaan goes to Archie in jail while Reggie uses the power of social media to get his freedom from AJ.
Meanwhile, Israel has become Mr. New Money.
TVSA Show Page: uBettina Wethu 3
Home of the Year Ireland 6
Channel: The Home Channel (DStv 176)
TX Time: 11h00
Genre: Reality Competition, Reality, Home Improvement
Home of the Year Ireland is back for a sixth season.
Over eight weeks, 21 homes will compete for the title of Home of the Year.
Each week three very different properties will be featured - from restorations, new builds and renovations to re-designed masterpieces.
Home of the Year features people who have created their dream homes, showcasing homes located all over Ireland including a lighthouse keepers' cottage, converted buildings such as a former carriage house and a former shop, reimagined semi-detached homes, architectural homes, DIY homes, restored period homes and brand new builds.
The judges making the tough decisions are experts in the field: design legend Hugh Wallace, interior designer Deirdre Whelan and architect Peter Crowley.
Looking for individuality, functionality and clever design, the judges will individually score each of the homes out of 10, the home with the highest combined score in each programme will go through to the final, where the ultimate winner will be crowned.
In the Season 6 premiere: We meet a family who renovated a 200-year-old home in Dublin, an eclectic Dublin self-build with DIY touches and an unusual house in Meath that looks like three separate barns.
The judges will score the homes with the highest going through to the final.