It's been a long three-year wait for
Tshisa fans but the show's eventually back for a new season. Season 3 premieres on SABC1 tonight (Friday, 25 May) at 20h30 and sees the return of favourite characters as well as the show's signature format and an extension of the original storylines.
The delay in a new season has been the result of the financial woes that struck the SABC when Tshisa was at the height of it's popularity. The plan was always to bring it back for another season but no contracts could be signed until last year, which is when production for the season started.
The long break created various challenges for the show, most specifically getting the cast together again - which they've successfully managed to do. All except two of the starring cast are back to re-ignite their characters.
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| Bongani Masondo |
Zukisa Matola |
Innocent Masuku |
Mbali Mlotshwa |
Bongani Masondo and
Zukisa Matola return to headline as Bafana and Ayanda,
Innocent Masuku returns as Baksteen and
Mbali Mlotshwa returns as Precious.
Also making a comeback are
Thandy Matlaila as Lindiwe,
Given Stuurman as Ayanda's brother Speedy,
Arthur Mbambo as Frank,
Thembi Tshabalala as Nomsa and
Thembsie Matu as Thami.
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| Helen Ndamase |
Vatiswa Ndara |
Melusi Yeni |
The biggest casting change surrounds the role of Ayanda's blind mother Thembela, who was played by blind actress
Helen Ndamase in previous seasons. Helen wasn't available for the new season so stalwart
Vatiswa Ndara replaces her in the role.
Also not available:
Melusi Yeni, who's too busy with Generations to return as Bafana's brother Bheki. He appears in the first two episodes and then he'll disappear. The season's been written in such a way that he could return if he wants to.
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| Mxolisi Masango |
Thuli Phongolo |
Joining Vatiswa as newcomers are
Mxolisi Masango and
Thuli Phongolo who play Spoke and Zama, two new Tshisa presenters who present the TV show within the show.
A number of celebrities will be playing fictitious versions of themselves - those confirmed so far include
Toya Delazy and
Lulo Café.
So what can we expect from the premiere and the season?
Series producer Mmamitse Thibedi revealed to TVSA that the season's about redemption and whether or not everyone manages to achieve it.
Mmamitse told us: "The character’s have gone through drug addiction, their pursuit of fame and all of that so we’re taking them through a redemption phase. They’re either going to make it out of the drugs or they’re not. That’s the big question: are they going to survive this lifestyle? How are they going to overhaul their lives?"
For Baksteen the real test is going to come when someone from his past returns.
For Bafana it's going to be what happens after he discovers that he can move his toes. He's been bound to his wheelchair and suddenly feels that he can move.
This is how the season opens, posing the questions: will he walk again? If he walks again, will he change his life for the better? Will he stop doing drugs? Is he going to stop cheating on his girlfriend?
For more, and to catch-up on previous seasons if you missed them or a want a refresh, see
TVSA's Tshisa Mini-Site.