The Secret Lives of Animals
Channel: Apple TV+
TX Time: 00h01
Genre: Wildlife, Documentary Series
Discover the clever and creative ways animals navigate life's most extraordinary challenges, from leaving home to finding a partner, in this 10-part docuseries narrated by Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey).
The Secret Lives of Animals highlights 77 unique species in 24 countries over three years, revealing stunning, never-before-seen animal behaviours and highlighting the remarkable intelligence of the natural world.
Each episode delves into pivotal moments in the life cycles of various animals - from birth and leaving home to raising a family, and from finding food to growing old - showcasing their striking intelligence and adaptability.
Highlights include an orb-weaving spider constructing a deceptive "self-portrait" puppet to deter predators; a wood mouse that creates its own signposts; and, an unexpected relationship between a reticulated humming frog and a burrowing tarantula.
Die Shackbouer
Channel: kykNET (DStv 144)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Documentary, Afrikaans
This documentary explores the transformative work of Quinton Adams, a former Cape Town psychologist turned advocate for social justice.
Against the picturesque backdrop of Namaqualand, the programme highlights his efforts to improve the lives of forgotten, struggling communities through Shackbuilder, a non-profit organisation.
With the help of his skilled project leader, Jessica Lottering, and a team of young builders trained through his Backyard Varsity, Quinton has changed the lives of many South Africans.
Just before Christmas last year, they decided to surprise three disadvantaged families from the community with brand-new, fully furnished structures.
This is one of the touching stories told in this documentary.
Die Shackbouer is not just a celebration of humanity's indomitable fighting spirit and perseverance in the most difficult circumstances, but also a testament to what can happen when compassion and cooperation come together to change lives.
Julia's Stepping Stones
Channel: Netflix South Africa
TX Time: 10h00
Genre: Documentary
Julia Reichert, who passed away after a long battle with cancer in December 2022, was the director of numerous acclaimed films, including Union Maids and American Factory, and a founder of the groundbreaking, filmmaker-owned distribution collaborative New Day Films.
In the few years before she died, Julia began sharing her own story and collaborated on making this short documentary with her husband and filmmaking partner, Steven Bognar, who edited and completed the film.
Here, Julia recounts the path she took to becoming a filmmaker: her upbringing and education, the joy she found working in radio, and her interest in working people and the women's movement, which led to the making of her first film, Growing Up Female.
The excitement and inflection in her voice as she shares these milestones and memories enhances an incredible collection of personal photographs and film excerpts.
Through this poignant montage of recollections, Julia's essence shines through - how her vibrant curiosity about the experiences of others shaped the stories she documented on screen.
Cheap Old Houses
Channel: Real Time (DStv 155)
TX Time: 14h30
Genre: Reality, Documentary Series, Home Improvement
Property enthusiasts Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein hunt for their next batch of cheap old houses to feature on their wildly successful social media site.
Along the way, they check out houses that have been lovingly restored by historic home devotees.
The series is inspired by the Finkelstein's popular Instagram feed, which racks up millions of views with images of surprising property bargains that are architecturally intact and available for under $150,000.
In each episode, cameras follow the couple as they tour low-priced older houses across America and ultimately choose which ones to feature on their famous site.
During each walk through, Ethan and Elizabeth share stories of the homes' historical significance and architectural uniqueness.
Relying on Elizabeth's background as a historic preservationist as well as the couple's shared passion for saving old property gems - and with the help of 3D graphic renderings - the pair imagine what the houses could look like with proper restorations.
They also will visit beautifully restored homes formerly featured on their Instagram account.
To start the season, Ethan and Elizabeth scour online real estate listings to plan their latest road trip to upstate New York in order to check out two cheap old houses listed for just over $100,000.
Traveling in Old Blue, their vintage cheap old truck, they drive to Amsterdam to tour a large 1900s Victorian home with a detached carriage house and then on to Fort Plain to see a huge 1850s home with a 1950s retro vibe.
During their travels, Ethan and Elizabeth also stop in Greenwich to visit a saved old schoolhouse that has been meticulously restored.
Windy City Rehab 4
Channel: HGTV (DStv 177)
TX Time: 22h00
Genre: Reality Makeover, Home Improvement
Windy City Rehab returns with a new season starring Chicago designer Alison Victoria, and she's busier than ever designing and managing 12 renovation projects in her hometown.
In each episode, Alison will juggle troublesome timelines, budget setbacks and client expectations, all while sourcing unique pieces and maximizing square footage to produce one-of-a-kind properties with her signature flair.
This season will also document Alison's pursuit to get back into the flipping game.
To come up with the capital for new projects, she will face the tough decision to keep or sell her newly-renovated Chicago dream home and Atlanta condo.
In the season opener, Alison will meet a family in Little Italy who's trusting her with their dream home renovation that has been off to a rocky start due to lengthy permit delays.
She'll devise a timeless design plan to modernize the 1890s-era home with a chef's kitchen while highlighting historic charm including Chicago common brick and original stained glass.
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