Champions
Channel: Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
TX Time: 19h00
Genre: Telenovela
Telenovela which revolves around the intrigues and adventures of the Modises, a soccer family who own and run a team called Soshanguve Giants FC.
In a world where the turf is tough and the stakes are high, Sne Modise (Jo-anne Reyneke) is a symbol of resilience and ambition in a male-dominated soccer empire.
Battling the storm caused by sudden changes in her father, Washington's (Sello Maake ka-Ncube) life, Sne is thrown into a series of challenges, love and betrayal.
While battling the intense drama, as the underdog, Sne stands at the top, determined to challenge the gender norms and lead the Soshanguve Giants FC to success.
But the question remains: Can she come out on top in an arena where the rules of the game are constantly changing?
Cast and Characters
Sello Maake ka-Ncube as Washington Modise
A former player-turned-entrepreneur, Washington breathed life into his own football team Soshanguve Giants FC, steering it with a mix of shrewd business sense and a deep love for the game.
His story is a mix of ambition, challenge and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Kgomotso Christopher as Lucinda Modise
Wife to Washington, her story is one of quiet strength, enduring support, and the influential role of a partner in the whirlwind world of success and power.
Tumisho Masha as Philemon Modise
Long overshadowed by his brother Washington, he feels the world has yet to acknowledge his true worth.
His narrative is one of greed, sibling rivalry and the relentless pursuit of personal acclaim.
Kwenzo Ngcobo as Zipho
Stands as a titan in the space of talent management.
Zipho's story is about navigating the intricate web of professional success and personal integrity in a world where both are constantly tested.
Thembinkosi Mthembu as Ferrari
Once the crown jewel of South African football, Ferrari now stands at a crossroads where his illustrious career faces the threat of dimming.
Thato Dithebe as Lebo Serite
His aspirations to conquer the grand football stadiums and lift his family out of poverty are fuelled by a potent mix of talent, charisma and determination.
Champions is produced by Tshedza Pictures.
TVSA Show Page: Champions
Outlaws
Channel: 1Magic (DStv 103)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Telenovela, Western, Drama
Western-themed telenovela set in the lush but lawless land on the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, and tells the story of two families at war with each other: the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyela clan and the Basotho, cattle-raiding Ts'eoles.
In the series premiere: Bandile proves himself to his father, Leruo leads his men on a mission and Tlali proves to be a loose cannon, starting a war that will rage on for ages.
Outlaws is a Showmax Original, created by Phathushedzo Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon and produced by Tshedza Pictures.
Main Cast and Characters
Bandile Biyela is played by Thembinkosi Mthembu
Bandile is his father's son, sharing the same passion for the land and he's a rural farm boy through and through.
Having married young, Bandile's wife Nolwandle (Nosipho Pehlo) and their toddler kids soften him.
Even though he loves his wife, he is a bit of a player in the region, something that always puts him and his father, who is moralistic, at odds.
Nolwandle is played by Nosipho Pehlo
Bandile's wife and mother of his kids.
Nolwande grew up in KZN townships and had her sights set on the high life, until she met Bandile – a son of a farmer.
Bheki Biyela is played by Siyabonga Shibe
He is the family patriarch, who always puts what is in the best interest of the family and the farm first.
When we meet him in the series, he is facing the biggest battle of his farming life – stock theft.
The rampant stealing of cattle by Basotho has turned the whole Underberg region into a war zone that Bheki is determined to emerge victorious.
But for how long?
Nandi Biyela is played by Nolwazi Shange
Nandi is Bheki's wife and Banele's mother, a gun-toting pious woman.
She is a strong-willed family matriarch, who finds peace in self-sustenance.
Nandi runs the farm side by side with her husband.
Sihle Biyela is played by Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku
Sihle is Nandi and Bheki's only daughter.
Having been born and raised on the farm, Sihle has yearned for a bigger life where she was more independent.
When it comes to relationships, Sihle has never really had time to explore much.
She met Kwanele (Mnqobi Kunene), the son of a family friend, much younger, and they've been in a relationship for a while.
After he proposed, she proposed, and now finds herself at a crossroads.
He is nice, but does she really love him enough to marry him?
Moretlo Ts'eole is played by Mmabatho Mogomotsi
Moretlo is the queen pin of the largest cattle-raiding syndicate in Lesotho that has been ravaging the Underberg region of KZN for years.
She is tough and can be ruthless when she doesn't get her way.
Having raised her children without a husband, Moretlo has had to play both parental roles in her children's life.
This makes her seem harsh and cold. She is a strategist and an avid horse raider, but just as comfortable with a machine gun.
Leruo Ts'eole is played by Lehlohonolo Mayeza
Leruo is Moretlo's eldest son and the leader of her cattle-thieving syndicate.
He is the leader of the gang and has made peace with his mother's operation. It is the way of life for him.
He is an excellent horse man, but an even better shooter.
He is wise and measured, rarely shows too much emotion, and a strategist much like his mother.
He is the wounded hero, the man who has had to step up and be his mother's right-hand man.
He is a man of few words; he lets his gun do the talking.
His life is turned upside down when he falls for Sihle (Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku), the daughter of a man he has been stealing from.
Tlali is played by Keketso Mpitso
He is Leabua's son and Moretlo's nephew, a cousin to Leruo.
Like his father, he converts power that doesn't belong to him.
He is part of the cattle-raiding syndicate, though he is impulsive and lacks the skill that comes effortlessly to Leruo.
He feels overlooked and hungers for power, which aligns him more with his embittered father.
Tlali is a greedy and sleazy player, who is consumed by the need to outdo his cousin Leruo, no matter the consequences.
Kwanele Dlamini is played by Mnqobi Kunene
Kwanele is a man who has lived his whole life under his father's shadow.
Having been raised by his father after his mother's death, this has turned him to view his father as God and his word as the bible.
There are, however, two things that mean the most to Kwanele – his love for Sihle, whom he has loved ever since they were kids, and his love for farming, which he is not that great at, but he tries.
Kwanele starts off the series as the good guy, the one who has managed to convince Sihle to marry him, even though deep down he knows that she is way out of his league.
Dumisani Dlamini is played by Mduduzi Nombela
Dumisani has been Bheki's friend since childhood.
They all grew up around the Underberg region and had the same dream to one day become the biggest cattle farmers in the region.
However, Dumisani never really had the gift to rear cattle, no matter how much he desired it.
As they grew up, Dumisani gravitated towards crime and grew in the ranks to become one of the most feared criminal bosses in the region, but he still held on dearly to his childhood dream of being a farmer.
Even though Dumisani might seem evil, he is not – he is just a man driven by greed.
He is a controlling madman, but a devoted father to his son Kwanele, whom he raised alone after his wife died.
TVSA Show Page: Outlaws
Genius 4: MLK/X
Channel: National Geographic Channel (DStv 181 / StarSat 220)
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: Drama
The fourth season of Genius will explore the lives, legacies and dueling philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.
A frequent critic of King's civic-minded approach, Malcolm X argued forcefully for Black empowerment, identity and self-determination.
Though they came from markedly different backgrounds and met only once, King and Malcolm X are synonymous with the Civil Rights era they came to define, two sides of the same coin.
In the series premiere, "Graduation": An intense focus on the formative years of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X and their experiences and relationships as young children and teens that shape and influence the iconic figures they would become.
Malcolm's release from prison and King's graduation from Boston University begin their respective journeys that will one day change the nation, but also begin a budding rivalry.
In the second episode of the weekly double bill, "Who We Are": Malcolm is introduced to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, who takes him under his wing after recognising his potential with the NOI, but temptations from an old flame and the bonds of family test his strength.
Martin introduces and brings Coretta into the King family.
Martin finds his voice within the church and is faced with a career decision that will alter his relationship with Daddy King.
Most Ridiculous with Mpho Popps 5
Channel: Comedy Central (DStv 122)
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: Comedy, Clip Show
The uproarious journey through the world of Internet hilarity will be led by Mpho Popps, promising a season filled with side-splitting moments.
This season, South African celebrity guests join Mpho Popps for a laugh-filled adventure.
Expect reactions, stories and banter as these local stars share their thoughts on the funniest clips from the Internet.
The lineup of celebrity guests includes Robot Boii, Faith Nketsi, Sol Phenduka, Celeste Ntuli, Farieda Metsileng, Lasizwe, Simone Pretorius, Prev Reddy, Shannon Esra, Radio Raps, Khanyisa Jaceni and many more.
C*A*U*G*H*T
Channel: M-Net (DStv 101)
TX Time: 21h10
Genre: Comedy
When four Australian soldiers are sent on a secret mission to the war-torn island nation of Behati-Prinsloo, they are mistaken for Americans and captured by freedom fighters.
The Australian authorities, who aren't supposed to be in Behati-Prinsloo, cut the boys loose.
Rather than go home to nothing, they produce a hostage video that goes viral.
When the soldiers reach celebrity status, they realise that being C*A*U*G*H*T might just be the best thing that could've happened to them.
In the series premiere, "Everybody loves Australians": Four Australian soldiers are kidnapped behind enemy lines.
Placing little value in freedom, they instead choose to fight for social media fame and notoriety.
Striking a deal with their captors to make the world's most elaborate hostage videos, the boys set sail on a mad-capped journey into the true heart of darkness – fame.
In the second episode of the weekly double bill, "Blue Checkmark": With one day to create a hostage video that will keep them alive, Dylan Fox must teach the boys how to 'act', while Rowdy makes contact with his daughter and tells her the secret that this is all fake.
Well, kind of.
The boys' story starts to gain traction online, raising the ire of the Aussie Prime Minister and the Colonel who sent them there.
Jemima Justice tries desperately to shine a light on the story of the kidnapped boys, imploring her sister – disgraced morning show host Josie Justice – to rebuild her career on the back of their growing fame.
Alert: Missing Persons Unit
Channel: Me (DStv 115)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Police Procedural, Drama
Alert: Missing Persons Unit is a procedural drama about the Philadelphia Police Department's Missing Person's Unit (MPU).
Each episode features a heart-pounding, life-or-death search for a missing person that runs alongside police officers Jason Grant (Scott Caan, Hawaii 5-0) and his ex-wife Nikki Batista's (Dania Ramirez, Devious Maids) series-long quest to find out the truth about their long-lost son.
Set in the MPU, headed by Nikki Batista who recruits her ex-husband Jason to work together, when Jason receives a possible proof of life photo that their own missing son Keith is very much alive, after disappearing six years earlier.
At the MPU, Grant and Batista work alongside a team of highly skilled individuals including Batista's current love interest Mike Sherman; Kemi Adebayo who is proficient in many languages, highly discerning of visual clues, and uses her know-how as a shaman to take a holistic approach to her job; and forensic anthropologist Chemingway, who is a master at reconstructing the faces of those who have disappeared.
Together, the team works to find the missing, abducted, or kidnapped, and help reunite them with their loved ones before it's too late.
In the series premiere, "Chloe": The MPU investigates the abduction of a young child, whose abduction is likely revenge related to her father's work.
The Incredible Dr. Pol 23
Channel: Nat Geo Wild (DStv 182 / StarSat 221)
TX Time: 22h00
Genre: Docu-Reality, Wildlife
With more than 46 years of veterinarian experience, Dr. Pol is a pioneer in treating animals.
The doctor on his routine 14-hour workdays treating both pets and livestock.
This season Dr. Pol celebrates turning 80 with a trip to the Netherlands with Diane and the vets rally to keep dreams alive for hardworking kids.
Also, Dr. Pol helps a horse with choke as Dr. Lisa treats a cat with many maladies.
Charles is worried about his dog Athena and looks to Doc for guidance.
Meanwhile, spring brings a baby boom of goats, reindeer, cuddly kittens and Labrador pups, and Charles and Diane surprise the docs on Vet Appreciation Day.
In the Season 23 premiere, "Mini Mayhem": The vets help a pooch with a plugged gut and a kitten struggling to see.
Doc and Diane celebrate 55 years of marriage.
Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold
Channel: National Geographic Channel (DStv 181 / StarSat 220)
TX Time: 19h00
Genre: Adventure, Documentary Series, Science, Nature
Alex Honnold embarks on an epic quest of unclimbed walls in one of the most remote corners of Greenland, a country on the frontline of the climate crisis.
Honnold has always dreamed of exploring Greenland and its unclimbed peaks.
Now he and world-class climbers Hazel Findlay and Mikey Schaefer attempt to summit Ingmikortilaq, an unclimbed Arctic seacliff that rises out of the frozen wilderness and is nearly 1,000 feet higher than Free Solo's El Capitan.
For Honnold, a long-time climate activist, this expedition is about more than just climbing.
It is an opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of climate change on a wilderness that is vitally important to the future of the planet.
With the help of Dr. Heïdi Sevestre, a glaciologist working with the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program, Greenlandic guide Adam Kjeldsen and renowned adventurer Aldo Kane, the team uses a special radar to take real-time depth and density measurements of a rarely studied section of Greenland's ice cap.
Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold is a three-part scientific expedition led by one of the world's greatest climbers in pursuit of a lifelong dream.
Survivor 45
Channel: M-Net (DStv 101)
TX Time: 18h00
Genre: Reality Competition
(
Please note: this was originally scheduled to Premiere on Thursday 1 February.)
After 23 years on television and 652 episodes, Survivor returns with the biggest season of the show ever.
Through longer weekly episodes, Survivor will take a deeper dive into the players' stories as they're stranded on the islands of Fiji.
The castaways form a society and adapt to their physical and social surroundings while contending with treacherous new elements and navigating an ever-shifting social game.
This determined group will be divided into three tribes of six and face a faster, grittier season from the moment they step on the beach.
The moral dilemmas and extreme situations will test even the strongest competitor, and the mental and physical challenges require players to constantly evolve their strategies to survive another day.
The dynamic individuals competing on the milestone 45th season are from diverse backgrounds and bring fresh perspectives to this new era of the game, with the same ultimate goal: to outwit, outplay and outlast.
And in the end, only one will remain to claim the title of Sole Survivor and win the $1-million prize.