American Soul
Channel: SABC2
TX Time: 20h30
Genre: Drama, Period Drama, Music
Everyone knows Soul Train, but not everyone knows what happened when the music stopped.
This is the untold story of the struggle to make the dream of Soul Train come true.
Inspired by the personal trials and professional successes of a young, ambitious and troubled impresario Don Cornelius, the '70s period drama is an unflinching look at the entrepreneur, his Soul Train dancers, and musicians set against the backdrop of a cutthroat Hollywood - how they work, play, rise and fall.
Battles with record labels for top talent and off-camera drama as young dancers vie for the spotlight stand in the way of a 30-something Don Cornelius, who is sacrificing all that he loves to follow his dream.
The series chronicles "the hippest trip in America" and what became of one of the most prominent and groundbreaking television shows for African-American culture.
Music plays a critical role in the series, as today's stars portray the icons of the Soul Train era.
Before I Do
Channel: Mzansi Wethu (DStv 163)
TX Time: 18h30
Genre: Reality
Focuses on couples that want to take their relationship to the next level (such as moving in together, getting married, having a baby or starting a joint business) but are faced with complexities that threaten the dream of their future together.
Each episode introduces a couple who must overcome all the challenges life throws at them, be it meddling family members, infidelity, lies, addictions or friends.
Guided by insights from the in-house clinical psychologist, Anele Siswana, and hosted by Andile Gaelesiwe, the series explores whether love truly conquers all.
The series premiere features a young and vibrant couple from Thembisa who want to get married and move in together.
Mzwandile wants Victor to move in with him at their family house but Victor isn't so sure about the arrangement.
Dr. Pimple Popper: Before the Pop
Channel: TLC Entertainment (DStv 135)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Reality
Dr. Pimple Popper is back with more pops than ever.
This time, Dr. Sandra Lee comes to the rescue of people who can't make it to her office in-person by taking virtual appointments.
The series follows Dr. Lee as she reviews the cases of potential patients and offers help to people with some of the most extreme skin conditions to date.
Watching footage of their ailments and virtually connecting with each potential patient, Dr. Lee determines if there's anything she can do to help them and tell the one thing they are desperate know... whether or not she will take them on as a patient and transform their skin.
Dinner at Somizi's
Channel: Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
TX Time: 19h30
Genre: Reality, Food
Somizi cooks up a storm and lays out his finest china for family and friends in a cooking show that sees culinary deftness meeting hearty conversations.
The idea is to create a fly-on-the-wall format that will showcase both Somizi and his guests.
The Idols judge and radio personality, accompanied by his husband Mohale Motaung-Mhlongo, open the doors of their house to the guests and Somizi shares his story about each guest before heading to the kitchen to introduce the ingredients and the meal he will make.
From a traditional dish or bake to exotic concoctions, Somizi brings his kasi flavour and humour as he experiments with his favourite recipes and techniques.
The topics on the table vary from lighthearted to "mature and insightful" as the dinner party indulges in what Somizi whips up.
In the moments between the cooking, Somizi and guests talk, play games and make cocktails. The show closes the cooking and guests section with Somizi making a cocktail that best represents the guests.
He recaps the meal and the preparation and concludes by sharing an inspirational quote called "food for thought".
In the series premiere, the entertainer hosts actress, singer and author Rami Chuene for a night of good food and conversations.
Dive into the world of Chuene as she opens up about the entertainment industry and its hard truths, her love life and her feisty social media presence.
Betty
Channel: Vuzu (DStv 116)
TX Time: 22h00
Genre: Comedy
Based on Crystal Moselle's feature film Skate Kitchen, Betty follows a diverse group of young women navigating their lives through the predominantly male-oriented world of skateboarding, set against the backdrop of New York City.
Opinionated and loyal, Janay is strong willed and stubborn in ways that both help and hurt her.
Honeybear is a quiet storm. Her flagrant style is a ruse; an armour she wears to hide her emotional struggles.
Kirt is a lover (to the ladies), a fighter (to the rest of the world), and a little kid in the body of a woman. She's the funniest person alive, but even if she knew it, she wouldn't care.
Meanwhile, Indigo is a street-savvy hustler trapped in the body of a well-to-do art school drop-out.
On the edge of the group is Camille, guarded, perceptive, intelligent and awkward.
She wants to be down with the dudes in the skate park and has fought hard for the small space she's carved out with them, but she needs to realise that cool points don't actually add up to the sum of anything, especially in the eyes of the other girls.
In the series premiere, "Key Party": When Janay and Kirt attempt to throw an all-girls skate sesh, an unexpected visitor cuts the "festivities" short, chaos ensues, and there's also a van.
In the second episode of the weekly double bill, "Zen and the Art of Skateboarding": Donald's unauthorised shadiness finds Janay reeling while Kirt, Indigo and Honeybear deal with the territorial skater boys.
Meanwhile, Camille and Bambi hang under awkward circumstances.
Siyaya: Come Wild with Us
Channel: Da Vinci (DStv 318)
TX Time: 14h30
Genre: Kids, Wildlife, Nature
A fast-paced adventure to fascinating places in and around the world's national parks and protected areas.
In the fun-packed episodes, you will see places and meet people that you would never even dream existed.
The series unravels the mysteries of the natural world and imparts a sense of wonder and respect for nature in the youth, leaving them fully convinced of the need to preserve our last wild places for future generations.
The series is hosted by a zany and mischievous scientist called Oompie, who drives around the country in a trendy zebra-striped minibus collecting youngsters from all over and taking them into the heart of our national parks, where personal boundaries are pushed on unimaginable journeys.
Join these young adventurers as they explore caves, run wild rivers, abseil down mountain cliffs and investigate the world under the sea.
See them have close encounters as they touch, feel, smell and experience nature at its wildest.
In each episode they experience unique challenges, making for a fresh and simply unforgettable story.
The series leaves you with a deep appreciation for our natural and cultural treasures and a keen desire to one day go and see them for themselves.