Mzansi Magic pioneered the trend of South African telenovelas with iNkaba back in 2012 and it hasn't had one since isiBaya turned into a soapie last year.
Now it does. A new 'novela called The Road premieres on the channel in late August. No start date has been decided yet and there's no confirmation of the number of days it will air. The channel clearly needs to consider this carefully considering the heaps of other soapies and 'novelas on the scene.
It's going to be up to the storytellers to ensure the show packs the punch it needs to lure eyeballs. The series is being produced isiBaya producers The Bomb Shelter and is set in Joziburg. It's a love story mixed with a mystery that shifts between the 1950's and now.
This from the channel about it:
An epic love story collides with a series of mysterious deaths when an evocative book written from the memories of an old man leads to the silver screen. And so begins THE ROAD.
It has a musical element to it too. It pays tribute to the sounds of the 50's and contrasts these with the sounds, fashion and lifestyles of Now.
The cast includes Gail Mabalane, Nandi Mngoma, Tsholo Maseko, Muzi Mthabela, Moneoa Moshesh, Solomon Sebothoma, Sthembiso Khoza, S'thandiwe Kgoroge and Neo Ntlatleng.
We'll keep you posted as more news becomes available.