A year later, the channel has done just that – and enters its second year with the launch of several exciting innovations, including new comedy and an increased focus on the Bubblegum movies – ranging from Sello Twala’s Madluphutu series to commissioned features like “Who Made Me Pregnant”, “The Stalker” and “48” - that have become such a popular part of Mzansi Magic. The channel will be hosting a series of workshops with at the Durban International Film Festival and is working in close partnership with the Durban Film Office to provide opportunities for more film makers to enter the television industry.

“We are now the home of Bubblegum movies,” states Lebone Maema, Mzansi Magic’s Channel Manager. “We’ve also been actively commissioning, giving us a much bigger pool of these very popular movies to include in our schedule.”

What’s more, Mzansi Magic has also made good on its launch promise to create work for the local television production industry: since last year, the channel has created around 350 jobs for local directors, writers, producers, editors, cast, sound crews and cameramen over the past year through an aggressive considered commissioning strategy.

“We are entering our second year in the best shape possible with a great mix of the best South African and international, feature films, comedies, sitcoms, drama, talk shows, variety shows, and music shows. Not only have we managed to do what we set out to do, but we have given the local television industry a boost through the many and varied shows that have been commissioned,” says Maema.



In exciting news for Mzansi Magic’s viewers, the channel’s second year will see the launch of several brand new programmes including a sitcom, It’s for Life produced by and starring former Isidingo actress Gugulethu Zuma (starts Friday 15 July at 19:00) as well as a new international telenova, ‘India – A Love Story’. Other popular programming include the award winning drama series, Soul Food and City of Men (August), the return of Miss South Africa, which will be proceeded by The Road To Miss SA, a reality series launching in September.

From July, Mzansi Magic also gets a more focused content schedule, enabling viewers to plan their viewing timeously.

Monday’s at 20h30 are now Mzansi Magic’s Bubblegum slot while Tuesdays now feature award-winning South African feature films (like “White Wedding” and “Izulu Lami/My Secret Sky” which the channel broadcasts hot off the film circuit) - also in the 20h30 slot. Wednesdays at 23h00 is the regular slot for live music concerts while Thursdays are Mzansi Magic’s variety night with shows like Headline and All Access. Fridays from 19h00 to 23h00 is when comedy takes over the channel. Sundays from 17h30 South African Idols is followed by uninterrupted movies from 19:00.

Mzansi Magic has also become the home for the Mzansi Magic Market Day (September 2011), in association with M-Net Cares. The channel is additionally the broadcast partner for the iSchoolAfrica youth press team programme, as part of its CSI commitments.

With this great mix of content, a strong emphasis on creating quality South African programmes, the showcasing of many homegrown stars, including Siba, Redi, Kenneth Nkosi and Tumi Morake, Trevor Noah, Tshepo Seeletso, Kuli Roberts and Thabo Mokwele and a viewer-friendly schedule, it’s likely that Mzansi Magic will continue to hold its own as one of the top 10 most watched channels on DSTV in its second year.