The South African TV industry is abuzz with reality shows and every one wants to cash in on them. Every now and then, television creatives try to add different elements to the reality that we see on TV. And now a new reality show, called S’gidla Waar, has entered the semi-competitive market of reality shows, trying to make an impact on those distinguished people with nothing and who might possibly lost all hope in life.
S’gidla Waar hit our TV last night. The show is presented by television personality Lucky Koza AKA Laki. Lucky is on a journey to help street people tell their stories and life perils through the “controversial” television reality docu-drama series S’gidla Waar. Laki, an actor, presenter, voice over artist and SABC weather man, has now added another belt to his accolades with the show.
Laki of After9
Playing on SABC1 Tuesdays at 18:00, the show portrays Laki as a man “who doesn’t shy away from controversy” as he previously acted on ground, After9, where he, along with his co-star, Aaron Moloisi, were involved in a sexual relationship, a first drama that cast a spotlight on homosexuality and bi-sexuality. He also starred in the first television drama about street kids, named “A place called Home”, which revealed the lives of the street and poor people on the street of Jozi. However, this time around, Laki has been following the lives of real street people who are also known as “Abo-malunde, for the past four years.
S’gidla Waar is a 13-episode reality docudrama series which focuses on the lives of Sash, Vuyo and City over a period of four years, capturing their quest to change their lives for the better. S’gidla Waar also exposes their battle with the habit that has kept them on the street for all these years.
Laki of After9
Laki talks about the motivation for such as show. “What motivated me was someone 's outcry for help, when Sash said ‘I need a second chance, I have approached a lot of people but they couldn’t listen’, [I knew I had to do something]. He needed somebody to believe in him and help them go back home. We all deserve another chance, irrespective of who you are, where you come from and how we look [at you]. I wanted to see a nobody turn into somebody,” he said.
This is what SABC1 has to say about this show: S’gidla Waar follows the lives of four homeless hustlers in their quest of redemption. Theirs, is a journey of conflict and resentment, of joy and reconciliation. Told from the point of view of one of them, the series traces their voyage as they pack their luggage and abandon their delinquent habits, we follow them as they are determined to head back home, and reunite with their lost families.
Viewers will get to see the underworld of substance abuse where they gallivant with drug lords in Hillbrow, their corrupt relations with police, their shameful transactions with night prostitutes, double-standards, shame and fast cash – All this and more will be revealed through their personal testimonies.