uMbali
Channel: e.tv
TX Time: 22h00
Genre: Drama
Drama series which revolves around beautiful township girl Mbali, who - when her boyfriend Siya is arrested and the family's main financial support is lost - makes a solemn promise that she will do whatever it takes to leave the township for a taste of 'good life'.
Mbali is a beautiful township girl with boundless ambition. A former teen beauty queen, she has the looks to drive men crazy.
But she is poor and lives in a small backroom in Diepkloof with her mother Phindile, her sister Phumla and daughter Khethiwe.
The family lives off Siya, Mbali's boyfriend, a criminal who sells Mbali dreams of a lavish life.
But when he gets arrested, the family is plunged deep into poverty as their main financial support is lost.
In a desperate attempt to find bail money for Siya, Mbali has to visit Siya's dangerous crime boss Fistos, who sees Mbali as easy prey now that Siya is behind bars.
He tries to rape her, leading to Mbali killing him in self-defence.
Phindile, who has always been Mbali's support system, helps her hide her crime.
All this trauma brings back the memory of the abuse her mother endured at the hands of her father, Moses.
In that moment, Mbali makes a solemn promise that she will do whatever it takes to leave Diepkloof.
She swears she will never again breathe the terrible scent of poverty in her life.
A high school dropout, Mbali does not have the skills to help her get a job.
But she is street wise and knows that she drives men crazy.
She knows that she can control them using sex and charm... especially the married men.
Through the series we see Mbali climb the social and economic ladder as she jumps from Siya to Robert, a rich man.
Mbali destroys his family for her own ends and when Robert is finished, she eyes an ageing widower called Cyril.
True to form, she starts a family feud with his sons over inheritance.
Mbali finally finds what she believes is true love with her sister's fiancée, Peter.
But her happy ending does not exist, each step up the ladder will bring her misfortune and great danger.
Through it all, her blinding ambition keeps her pushing forward, at any cost.
Hearts, families and marriages will be broken, and enemies will be created in her pursuit of money and the good life.
Then, when she thinks she's finally made it, her past will come to haunt her.
The series stars Sthandile Nkosi, Tiisetso Thoka, Phumzile Kubeka, Diana Maseko, Austin Shandu and Melusi Yeni.
In the series premiere, "No Way Out": Mbali (Sthandile Nkosi) is happy when Siya (Austin Shandu) promises his next score will get her the life she dreams about - but things go horribly wrong.
Meanwhile, Phindile (Phumzile Kubeka) is behind with rent and the land lady wants to kick them out, but Vusi (Thulani Ntsweni) offers to wipe the debt clean in exchange for sex.
uMbali was created and executive produced by Reneilwe Sema and Mpho Lengane for Barkers Media.
TVSA Show Page: uMbali
Prison Girls: Life Inside
Channel: CBS Reality (DStv 132 / StarSat 170)
TX Time: 09h35
Genre: True Crime, Docu-Reality
A raw, intimate, and in-depth look into the extreme lives of women incarcerated in an American jail, as they balance love and family with violence and a life of crime.
The series goes behind bars to explore what really goes on in a woman's mind the moment she steps into a prison cell and the door slams shut behind her.
The series delivers authentic and uncut access to the real everyday lives of the inmates of this jail in Western Massachusetts – women of all ages and backgrounds – revealing their daily routines, intimate moments and harsh realities.
These women may be gang members, murderers, drug smugglers or armed robbers, but they're also someone's daughter, mother, sister or wife.
How do they handle being inside? And can they retain their humanity?
The prison represents a microcosm of our world – within these walls inmates eat, sleep, shower, trade and live with each other, form friendships and alliances, team up against enemies, share news from the outside, find love on the inside and more.
From violent women falling in love, being pregnant and holding their child for the first time, to guards going home after a long shift – this blend of human stories forms a strong and emotional narrative across the series.
The jail is home to some 200 prisoners where everyday situations are amplified, played out against an ever-present, simmering threat of drama and violence.
Can these women live in peace alongside each other and get along with their guards?
And what spark will blow this delicate balance to hell?
Unlocking real stories while exploring the impact of time in prison on female inmates, this series delivers insight into this uniquely pressurised environment.
As they create their own world and often their own rules - just what will these women have to do to get through life on the inside?
In the series premiere: Vanessa is pregnant, addicted to heroin, has already lost custody of her other children, and if she gives birth in jail, she will lose this baby too.
The Fall of the House of Usher
Channel: Netflix South Africa
TX Time: 10h00 (all episodes)
Genre: Horror, Drama
To secure their fortune — and future — two ruthless siblings build a family dynasty that begins to crumble when their heirs mysteriously die, one by one.
From Mike Flanagan, the creator of The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, this is a wicked horror series based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Ruthless siblings Roderick and Madeline Usher have built Fortunato Pharmaceuticals into an empire of wealth, privilege and power.
But past secrets come to light when the heirs to the Usher dynasty start dying at the hands of a mysterious woman from their youth.
'n Nuwe jy met Nova
Channel: VIA (DStv 147)
TX Time: 18h00
Genre: Reality Makeover, Afrikaans
In 'n Nuwe jy met Nova eight women embark on a beauty journey that ends in a brand new look, and a team of experts share their knowledge of beauty and aesthetic procedures.
With Elana van der Walt and Dr Melinda Burger as presenters.
In the series premiere: Elana and Melinda explain how the series works.
They introduce the eight candidates and the specialists who will be responsible for their transformation.
Midsomer Murders 13
Channel: BritBox
TX Time: 00h01
Genre: Drama, Police Procedural
Midsomer Murders is back for the thirteenth season, set in England's most murderous county.
Nothing is what it seems behind the well-trimmed hedges and net curtains of the picturesque cottages in the idyllic county of Midsomer.
Beneath the tranquil surface, dark secrets exist – scandals, jealousy and downright evil.
Indeed, murder and blackmail are surprisingly commonplace among the eccentric inhabitants...
DCI Tom Barnaby is working on his final cases before leaving the Police force, and leaving the denizens of Midsomer in the capable hands of his cousin, DCI John Barnaby.
In the Season 13 premiere: it's the anniversary of the death of the head of a family bespoke tailoring business and surviving members of the family seem overburdened by grief - or is it guilt?
Expedition Bigfoot 4
Channel: Discovery Channel (DStv 121)
TX Time: 20h55
Genre: Reality
The Expedition Bigfoot team faces their most difficult challenge yet when they hunt for evidence in the Alaska mountains.
From searching abandoned mines to exploring uncharted ice caves, they will stop at nothing to bring home proof of the elusive beast.
In the Season 4 premiere, "Bigfoot Island": After finding strange evidence in California, the team journeys to Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, to find Bigfoot.
And as mysterious screams terrify the locals, Ronny, Mireya and Russell uncover chilling proof that they're not alone in the wilderness.
Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines 3
Channel: Food Network (DStv 175)
TX Time: 17h00
Genre: Food
Infused with her warmth and passion for all things family, Joanna Gaines spends time in the kitchen sharing her favourite recipes, where they come from, and why she finds herself returning to them time and time again.
In the Season 3 premiere, "Sunday Pot Roast": Joanna prepares her family's Sunday night dinner featuring pot roast, a braided bread, romaine salad with buttermilk ranch dressing and warm apple pie.
In the second episode of the weekly double bill, "After-School Snacks": Joanna whips up her Granddad's Syrian doughnut recipe.
Then, she completes her after-school snack line up with chewy granola bars and warm banana bread.
Ancient Powers
Channel: BBC Earth (DStv 184)
TX Time: 19h00
Genre: History, Documentary Series
Archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explores the roots of civilisation in an epic series that runs from the creation of the first cities in Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
In the series premiere, "Come Together": Richard explores the roots of one of the most profound innovations in the human story - civilisation - in the first episode of an epic series that runs from the creation of the first cities in Mesopotamia some 6,000 years ago, to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.
Starting in Uruk, the 'mother of all cities', in southern Iraq, Richard travels to Syria, Egypt, Anatolia and Greece, tracing the birth and development of technology and culture.
NCIS: Los Angeles 12
Channel: Universal TV (DStv 117)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Police Procedural, Drama
Set in the high stakes world of the Office of Special Projects, this division of NCIS is charged with apprehending dangerous and elusive criminals that pose a threat to America's security.
By assuming false identities and utilizing the most advanced technology, this team of highly trained agents goes deep undercover, putting their lives on the line in the field to bring down their targets.
In the Season 12 premiere, "The Bear": When a Russian bomber goes missing while flying over US soil, Callen and Sam must track it down in the desert and secure its weapons and intel before the Russians on board destroy the plane.
Also, Hetty gives Nell a cryptic assignment.
TVSA Show Page: NCIS: Los Angeles 12
My Plek of Joune? 9
Channel: VIA (DStv 147)
TX Time: 17h30
Genre: Reality Makeover, DIY, Afrikaans
DIY gurus Melt van der Spuy and Isabel Barends team up once more to keep the peace between housemates, besties or couples who are at loggerheads about décor ideas for shared spaces.
As always, a flip of the coin determines who will have the opportunity to spruce up one room in their home with the help of experts.
Limits on budget and time make things even more interesting.
In the Season 9 premiere: James and Carien's living room has reached a stalemate. Can Isabel and Melt broker style peace?