Tjovitjo is a South African dance drama series. It follows the lives of pantsula dancers and how they navigate around the everyday challenges of the township.[1][2][3]

Tjovitjo
GenreDrama
Directed byVincent Moloi
StarringMafred
Country of originSouth Africa
No. of seasons2
Original release
Release20 August 2017 (2017-08-20) –
present

Plot

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Tjovitjo is a hyper-reality dance series set in the slums of Johannesburg. Tjovitjo is led by Mafred - played by Warren Masemol a- a thug and dancer with a past as a petty criminal, who is seeking the approval of his community.

The series spotlights sePantsula - a subculture and dance form that emerged in the 1950s, in the shadow of apartheid. Beneath the dirty street dance-offs, each episode Tjovitjo delves into contemporary issues that plague South Africa and the youth, such as unsafe abortion, zama-zama (illegal mining) and physical abuse.[4]

Dance is what really what keeps this impoverished community sane but in the second season two dance is banned putting this very sanity to the test.[5]

Amidst Mafred's poverty and struggle, a hardened Pantsula dance leader enters thug life and searches for redemption and salvation in his community.

Accolades

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South African Film And Television (2019)

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  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Winner)

Best Achievement in Directing - TV Drama Vincent Moloi

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Nominee)

Best TV Drama

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Nominee)

Best actor - TV Drama Warren Masemola

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Nominee)

Best Achievement in Editing - TV Drama

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Nominee)

Best Achievement In Art/ Design Production - TV Drama Vivienne Mahloko

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Nominee)

Best Achievement in Cinematography- TV Drama Motheo Moeng

South African Film And Television Awards, SAFTA (2018)

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  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Winner)

Best actor - TV Drama Warren Masemola

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Winner)

Best TV Drama - Puo Pha Productions

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Winner)

Best Achievement in Editing - TV Drama Ikaye Masisi

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Winner)

Best Achievement In Art/ Design Production - Ephraim Mathula, Vivenne Mahloko

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Winner)

Best Achievement in Sound Design -TV Drama

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Winner)

Best Achievement in Cinematography - TV Drama Motheo Moeng, Marius Van Graan, Ofentse Mwase

  • SAFTA Golden Horn (Nominee)

Best Achievement in Costume Design - TV Drama Charity Shirley Masonto[6]

References

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  1. ^ "TJOVITJO drama enlists local talent". MMegi Online. 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  2. ^ Moloi, Vincent (2017-08-16). "Tjovitjo Dance Drama Series Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  3. ^ Herimbi, Helen (2017-08-16). "On: Tjovitjo". Helen Herimbi. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  4. ^ "Podcast and Chill with MacG, episode 150: Vincent Moloi on Tjovitjo, Warren Masemola, Netflix, The Art of Making Film". Podcast and Chill with MacG. 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2024-02-16 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ Malingani, Lidudu (2018-10-26). "Art & life: Series – Dust & dreams". The Africa Report. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  6. ^ "IMDb Summary of Tjovitjo". IMDb.
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