It’s so unbelievable that it has been over five years since boring soapie Backstage was canned on etv and Rhythm City took over our screen with unprecedented characters like David Genaro and the likes of Naomi.
Mme Connie, "Miles" and Nokuthula LedwabaWe showed face at the show’s birthday shebang in Sandton on Thursday 21 June. Before we forget, Lungile Radu did a good job as the MC!
Paps: Miles and Lungile RaduThough the soapie is still taking its baby steps, it is hard to believe it is only five years old. One would think it is firmly in its teens due to its popularity among the youth. “When Backstage ended, we wanted a soapie that will resonate with our viewers and we really worked hard with the Rhythm City team to make the soapie happen. We have since achieved 40% of the market share during the 18:30 time slot,” said head of etv, Monde Twala.
Ambitious: Channel head Monde TwalaMarket share refers to a total number of TV viewers during a particular time slot including those with Dstv. What Monde is saying is, out of 100% of people who watch TV during this particular time, 40% of them are Rhythm Citizens. “We want Rhythm City to be the number one show in the country,” continued Monde. He went on and on forever talking about the show’s humble beginnings and all.
Makisto at the shebangI met Phil Blaqueboi Mphela at the shebang and thank goodness he was there or else I was gonna be bored…no arg, this is not correct, my journo friend El was also there so yeah, I wasn’t gonna be bored. Okare ke maaka hle, phela I was taking pictures the whole night and jeepers creepers, can someone tell mainstream media photographers to stop their bullying nonsense toe? Mara last night their bullying was not too bad. I shall leave them to ministers’ bodyguards and Sanef will be crying out foul irritating me. Lemme not ruin my mood and talk about what went down.
Beautiful all roundIn all honesty, the party was just like any other party. Firstly, the venue was just nje, I mean really, that African cuisine thingie at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton is where I go for my dates. Shame the etv PR people were super good and the friendliness of the cast made me forget about the average venue. Akere some say it aint about the place but the company…and you know what, that is true. I had fun mina yazi. Their 5th birthday party was not 5th bad. It did me real good.
Nokuthula LedwabaYou know I wasn’t gonna say this neh, but I should just so mara say it. Nokuthula Ledwaba who plays Tshidi neh! She has a great personality that charms me. OMG, there is something about that woman I should just ask her out on a date. Her smile! Tshidi is beautiful and since she is single, I should just stop perving and set my plan in motion. Speaking of perving, ooooooohhh la la; the legs of the women that are the cast of Rhym City!
On fire: Kb set the stage alightOk, before I get carried away, lemme put context to their legs. KB set the stage alight with major performances and oh lawd, that woman can shake her body and those seductive dance moves nearly had me jumping to the stage for a snogging session but I had to contain myself.
In yet another riveting performance, Kb asked Tshidi and the other new cast ladies who I forgot their names to join her in song on stage. You know what, it is high time Nokuthula Ledwaba dropped an album.
Rhythmic director slash story liner: Bonga Percy VilakaziRhythm City story liner and music director Bonga Percy Vilakazi spoke of how some of the stories would not be allowed if the soapie was aired on another channel and we know he is referring to the SABC akere. “etv lets us be creative. This show wouldn't be what it is if it was on another channel. We pride ourselves with being the only show that introduces great talent to the country,” he claimed. And I hope Percy will not be using my semantics against me. *hides*
You remember her from Society mos, she is the lady who took a bold step of quitting a career in IT and went into acting. I think her surname is Teelboi or somethingSheim yazi, mina I had to leave halfway through the party due to personal reasons. And as I was leaving, the party was getting even more hectic with Kb dancing more and more.
Former cast member Mabatho Montsho also attended. Here she is pictured with hot new mama Pam Andrews.Oh yes, Blaqueboi is afraid of TVSA bloggers and asked me not to publish his pictures because akere you know you like going gangster on people.
Actors do have group moments too, ok!When Rhythm City launched on our screens back in June 2007, local soapies were napping and really not keen to explore controversial stories. However, ever since Stoan turned gay on the show, we have seen other shows going gay too. David Genaro died and came back from the dead and so did some characters on other shows.
The back of KB's dress, check those legs out!Rhythm City is very bold and unapologetic about its gripping stories and each time Naomi returns, even disloyal fans like me turn loyal. The show has never failed to dish out top story lines and it is very clear that they are a soapie. The Khuses however, do give the show that kasi vibe that’s missing in all soapies on local TV. The soapie isn’t afraid to be a trendsetter though it seldom receives the recognition it really deserves.
The cast pose for TVSAWell done Rhythm City! Let’s drink to another 5 years of riveting stories. Thank you for the shebang and all. Kaloku next time when you stage a shebang, please don’t tell us not to bring our plus ones. It is unfriendly!
Lehlohonolo Phiri
On screen siblings: Siphiwe Mtshali and Nolo
The ladies from etv publicity are forever friendly and smilingLemme not say anything about that mini. You guys may just have some great things to say
Kb's backing singers
Kb did a good job entertaining us.