adminMelissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
M-NET has finally set up a channel, Zambezi Magic (DStv channel 160) to cater for Southern Africa viewers. Launching on July 1 at 8PM, the channel, a solution for local fans of SABC programming and those who were cut off Wiztech decoders, has been created solely with the Southern African viewer in mind.
Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said they were excited with the development as the channel was long overdue.
“Zambezi Magic will offer the most sought-after archive content that has not been available outside of South Africa. Viewers will be spoilt for choice with an array of quality programming. The channel will bring viewers in Southern Africa the kind of content they’ve been asking for a long time,” Dziva said.
Zambezi Magic will entertain viewers with riveting plots on award-winning soapies Generations, Muvhango, Isidingo, Zone 14, and Jacob’s Cross while getting a healthy dose of critically-acclaimed edutainment TV series, Intersexions and Yizo Yizo that explore various societal issues and have sparked debates around issues like the HIV/Aids epidemic, love and relationships.
“The ultimate goal is to be the go-to channel for quality Southern African produced shows and to provide viewers with a channel they can trust to bring local stories, many made in their own backyards.”
Fans of lifestyle shows will access a range of programmes which will vary in style and genre.
“Viewers will learn how to create scrumptious meals alongside the vivacious Siba Mtongana, the host of Cooking with Siba and watch as long-lost family and friends are reunited on the heart-warming Khumbul’ ekhaya show dubbed, ‘the truth and reconciliation of the soul’,” Dziva said.
“Sitcoms like Stokvel, City Ses’La, The Coconuts, Kota Life Crisis, Skwizas and It’s For Life will tickle viewers’ funny bones with their cheeky humour and dialogues packed with a razor-sharp wit”.
Other popular shows include Our Perfect Wedding, which will get viewers into the wedding spirit the African way, while football fans will score their way into the private lifestyles of the rich and famous African football stars on Goal Diggerz. The trio hosting Forever Young, Lungile Radu, Siyabonga Ngwekazi and Thomas Gumede, will showcase what it’s like to be a young go-getter in the world of entertainment. Zambezi Magic will also feature exciting films from the Lokshin Bioskop film library.
Off South Africa, viewers will get a chance to get interactive on social media with a trendy, new lifestyle show, The Kool RocShow from Zambia.
Dziva however said more local programmes from various countries other than South Africa would be featured on the channel.
“Going forward, there’ll be many more local shows from other Southern African countries added to the channel, which is very exciting for local audiences and film and television programme makers,” she said.
Zambezi Magic will only be open to DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact subscribers.
Online Reporter