JOHANNESBURG, March 1 (ANA) – The MTV Stay Alive Foundation and MTV Base will be airing a 12 part drama serious aimed at spreading awareness and tackling issues faced by South African youth.
“Previous seasons of MTV Shuga has been proven to change young peoples’ behaviour and attitudes relating to safe sex and HIV,” Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Georgia Arnold said speaking at the pre-screening of MTV Shuga at Monte Casino on Tuesday evening.
“Moved to a South African setting and context for the first time, we know that MTV Shuga: Down South will make further strides in changing attitudes to unplanned pregnancies, LGBT awareness and other health and emotional issues among South African youth.”
Set in the homes, cafés, schools, parks and hangouts of fictional township, Zenzele, and real-life Braamfontein, MTV Shuga: Down South is the fifth instalment in the award-winning drama series, MTV Shuga. With powerful contemporary story lines, relatable characters and an ensemble cast of talented actors and contemporary musicians, MTV Shuga: Down South uses drama to disseminate important public health messages.
The new series, directed by Mmabatho Montsho, Thabang Moleya and Rea Rangaka, included a new focus on issues that were faced by adolescent girls in South Africa, with a particular emphasis on their vulnerability to unintended pregnancy and HIV infection.
Viewers will be taken on a journey into the lives of various young South Africans with interweaving stories of heartbreak, love, betrayal and difficult decisions among contemporary South African youth.
Executive Vice President; Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, Alex Okosi said “Pro-social programming that empowers our audience is an important part of our MTV Base brand. MTV Shuga deals with real issues facing young people through authentic story lines and characters, and we are excited to premiere this latest series, based in South Africa.”
Other key plot points include transactional sex, living with HIV, infidelity and issues affecting LGBT teens.
MTV Shuga: Down South premieres on Wednesday 8 March on MTV Base (SA) at 21:30 CAT, and will subsequently air on BET (DStv channel 129) as well as third party broadcasters including SABC.
The series is supported by the South African government’s Department of Basic Education, PEPFAR (The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), Marie Stopes International, ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action MSM & Transgender Programme, CIFF (Children Investment Fund Foundation) and FHI 360 (Family Health International).
– African News Agency (ANA)
