e.tv's 19h00 timeslot is about to get a revamp when its long-running daily drama, Rhythm City, which has been on air for 14 years, gracefully bows out on 16 July 2021.
‘House of Zwide’ is a new drama series produced by Bomb Productions and VideoVision Entertainment and will debut Monday July 19th.
Bomb Productions has had South Africans entertained for many years. One of their best television shows to date is still the much-talked about Yizo Yizo and Gaz'lam. Shows such as Zone 14 , Mzansi Magic's previously canned telenovelas Isibaya and Isithembiso are also products of the award-winning production company.
With Executive Producer Desiree Markgraaff producing alongside Anant Singh's VideoVision Entertainment, House of Zwide promises to deliver on entertainment and keep viewers glued to their screens. The series is a rags-to-riches aspirational tale, embodied by the tagline: Your Dreams Are Valid, No Matter Your Age - this according to TVSA.
Speaking to Daily Sun about the show, the channel's head of local productions, Helga Palmer, said the timing was just right.
"The channel brings you a show of hopes and dreams to uplift and inspire viewers to believe they can achieve anything they put their minds to in a world filled with uncertainty and despair. As Bomb Productions and VideoVision Entertainment are well-known for authentic storytelling, it will come as no surprise when the show takes South Africa by storm," said Palmer.
"We acknowledge and are humbled to be following in the footsteps of Rhythm City, which has blazed a trail in this time slot. We are very excited to be creating a new show for e.tv and hope viewers will welcome House Of Zwide. Covid-19 has beenhard on everyone and we wanted to tell a story that reminds us that no matter the obstacles, (we must) never give up on our dreams," Desiree explained.
The cast of House of Zwide has been kept a secret for now, however, actress Baby Cele gave her followers a hint on Instagram when she posted a picture with actor Lindani Nkosi.
The very first episode of Rhythm City aired on 9 July 2007 as a replacement for Backstage. The show comes to an end next week, this is despite the fact that the soapie has been performing well with over 5.2 million viewers this year alone, making it one of the top 10 most-watched soapies in Mzansi.
According to the channel, decommissioning the soapie is purely a business decision and part of a greater business strategy.
Managing Director at e.tv, Marlon Davids said in a statement: "e.tv continues to look forward to fulfilling its mandate of producing exceptional and relevant local content, and the production has successfully achieved its part of the obligation throughout the past 13 years. Rhythm City has secured its place in e.tv's history books, and a legacy mark has been made. We want to extend our gratitude to the entire production staff, crew, and cast for their incomparable craft."
