Ed Stafford's Rite of Passage
Channel: Discovery Channel (DStv 121)
TX Time: 20h05
Genre: Reality
Adventurer Ed Stafford is pushing himself to the brink once again in Ed Stafford's Rite of Passage.
The series follows Stafford as he travels the globe to experience the most intense and culturally significant coming-of-age ceremonies that turn boys into men.
From enduring 24 hours of agony with the Pataxó people in Brazil to facing legendary trials of courage in Africa, Stafford immerses himself completely in traditional cultures to understand the challenges, pain and significance behind these ancient rituals.
The series offers an unprecedented look into societies where ancient traditions are still a vital part of life.
The series kicks off in Ethiopia's Omo Valley, where Stafford joins the Hamar tribe to attempt their famous bull-jumping ceremony.
To be considered a man and earn the right to marry, young men must run across the backs of 10 to 15 bulls, often smeared with dung to make them slippery.
The initiate must complete this terrifying crossing four times without falling.
Success earns him the title of 'Maza', but failure brings great shame to his family.
It is a powerful and dangerous test of courage that few outsiders have ever attempted.
In the third episode, the adventure continues as Ed takes on a different kind of challenge in Tanzania, joining the Hadzabe community for a test of courage rooted in their deep connection to nature.
To prove himself, Ed must master the intricate and dangerous art of harvesting honey from the hives of a notoriously aggressive species of bee, a vital survival skill that demands both bravery and a deep understanding of the natural world.
These journeys offer an authentic, visceral look into the traditions and challenges that continue to define manhood in ancient cultures around the globe, testing courage, endurance and survival like never before.
uThando Nes'thembu 9
Channel: Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Docu-Reality
Follows businessman Musa Mseleku and his wives as they navigate a polygamous relationship, their family dynamic, staying true to tradition in a modern world and the sisterhood of the wives.
The new season comes after the revelations from the special Uncut: uThando Nes'thembu, which took you behind the scenes for some exclusive, never-before-seen footage.
Season 9 kicks off with tensions running high, as the Uncut episodes brought viewers closer to the breakdown that started coming into existence within the family, results of which have now become clear.
The wives - MaCele, MaYeni, MaNgwabe, MaKhumalo - continue to deal with their different challenges, with some still not happy that Musa brought MaKhwela into the family.
How is she dealing with this continuous rejection and how long can she hold on for?
Isithembu sikaMseleku, something that once represented togetherness and tradition is looking like it is in serious jeopardy.
Is Musa Mseleku able to keep it all together or are the seams of this union becoming undone?
In the Season 9 premiere: Musa is unsure of MaKhumalo's love for him and the wives express their feelings about Mthombeni.
Meanwhile, Mthombeni checks up on his health.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 27
Channel: Universal TV (DStv 117)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Drama, Police Procedural
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, now in its 27th season, chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, an elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes.
As acting commander of the SVU, Sergeant Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is a seasoned veteran of the unit who has seen it all.
She leads with empathy and professionalism, all the while dealing with her difficult past as a product of rape, and her future as mother to a young child, both of which influence the way she relates to each victim in need of help.
Detective Odafin Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) adds a unique sense of humour and undercover investigative experience, making him a formidable match for any partner.
Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) has earned her place as an integral part of the team while facing head-on the emotional toll it takes to work SVU.
Detective Dominick Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino) brings a fresh outlook and distinctive style of investigation to the squad.
In the Season 27 premiere, "In the Wind": Danger swirls around the squad as they investigate a suspect for rape and try to protect their key witness.
Meanwhile, a new chief of detectives puts Benson to the test.
Also, an off-duty Fin tries to stop an assault in progress.
Big Adventures: Into the Gobi Desert with Nick Knowles
Channel: BBC UKTV (DStv 134)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Documentary Series, Docu-Reality
Mongolia is vast and remote, at five times the size of the UK and with a population of only 3.5 million - with the wilderness of the Gobi Desert covering a third of the country.
As Nick Knowles discovers in this travelogue, the land of Genghis Khan and dinosaurs is not only steeped in rich and fascinating traditions, but is also home to some of the most warm-hearted people in the world.
Join Nick as he heads to The Nadaam Festival, a vibrant celebration of the ancient skills that were once required to become a warrior, travels to Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, and visits the Namnaa horse archery academy.
Is It Cake? Valentines
Channel: Netflix South Africa
TX Time: 10h00 (all episodes)
Genre: Food, Reality Competition, Reality
Bakers team up with their sweetie pies to create ultrarealistic cakes and hoodwink celebrity judges in this special Valentine's Day edition.
Cupid's arrow has struck the kitchen for the first-ever Is It Cake? Valentines special.
Three baking couples of master cake artists compete. Together, they tackle all new games, craft swoonworthy cakes and attempt to fool the judges and each other.
And for the first time in Is It Cake? history, there are games just for the viewer.
With hearts pounding and money on the line, these couples are in for the sweetest date night of their lives.
House Hunters International 134
Channel: Travel Channel (DStv 179)
TX Time: 06h00
Genre: Reality
This spin-off of House Hunters goes around the globe.
Home hunters and their realtors check out all sorts of architectural styles and work through the quirks of buying real estate in other countries.
Each episode follows house hunters as they view three potential homes, receive guidance from an estate agent and choose the digs of their dreams, where we revisit them a few weeks later.
In the Season 134 premiere, "The Catania Conundrum": A military family of four is being transferred to Catania, Italy, on a three-year assignment, but the couple is discovering that their wish lists couldn't be further apart.
She wants Italian charm, but he wants practicality.