With a well-balanced cast featuring the likes of Vanessa Mdee, Thuso Mbedu, Mohau Mokoatle Cele, Jezriel Skei, Nick Mutuma there will be no reason for viewers to raise the usual “same faces” argument.
In addition to the aforementioned cast members, Emmanuel Ikubese and Adesua Etomi from previous seasons will be making a return.
Ikubese will be reprising his role as “Femi,” a music promoter from Nigeria who’s been living with HIV for 4 years. Etomi will also be reprising her role as Femi’s girlfriend, “Sheila”.
Cele (who plays Bongi) has also featured in Shuga before but we will get to know her character a little better this season. Among the last of the familiar faces is Leo (played by Nick Mutuma) who’s looking to find some escape from his past actions.
Dubbed “Down South,” season 5 will play out in “the cool clubs, hangouts and schools of Braamfontein and the fictional township of Zenzele,” explained MTV via their website.
If you are not familiar with Shuga, it is an award-winning edutainment drama that has, according to MTV, been proven to actively change behaviour relating to HIV prevention.
It is now turning its focus on the issues of sexual and reproductive health among teenagers and young women in South Africa.
“Having successfully highlighted issues affecting young people in Kenya and Nigeria for nearly a decade, MTV Shuga is using powerful contemporary storylines and relatable characters to disseminate public health messages targeted squarely at South African youth, with a particular focus on adolescent girls and their vulnerability to HIV infection and unintended pregnancy,” said MTV in a statement.
Last night, we got a sneak peek at the first three episodes of this season and we guarantee that you will enjoy it. We got to watch the show in a theatre experience alongside the show’s cast as well as the like of Rhythm City’s Mduduzi Mabaso (Suffo), Loot Love, Jesse Suntele, Winnie Ntshaba, Oros and Prince Mampofu and more.
Check out some snaps from the premiere starting with our favourite outfit of the night on Mzansi Magic All Access presenter Nomalanga Shozi.
We were incredibly excited to find out that Mmabatho Montsho and Abena Ayivor were part of the production team for this season #BlackGirlMagic.
One of our faves, Bontle Modiselle
Shout out to Ayanda MVP who made the after party a night to remember.
Generations' Candice Modiselle
Sidenote: you guys are going to get a huge surprise by the roles some of these actors are playing. Clint Brink has one of those roles.
Main image credit: mtvbase.com