The evolution of television series in South Africa has been remarkable since the inception of television broadcasting in the country. One of the most significant developments in this evolution is the emergence of the Best 2000s South African TV Series. While the early days of television in South Africa were dominated by the importation and broadcasting of content from the United Kingdom and the United States, the 2000s saw a shift towards the production of more home-grown TV series. This shift led to the emergence of some of the most iconic and beloved 2000s South African TV series, which marked a new era in the industry’s development.
Nonetheless, it’s important to acknowledge that the early stages of South African TV series were constrained, and the country had to rely on imported content. Over time, the industry has grown, and there has been a notable improvement in the quality of local productions. Furthermore, the shift towards producing more South African TV series has also led to an increase in employment opportunities and the development of talent within the country. Today, South African TV series continues to evolve and showcase the country’s unique stories, cultures, and perspectives to both local and international audiences, making a significant contribution to the global television industry.
The 1970s: The 1970s saw the emergence of local TV series in South Africa. These series were often aimed at a predominantly white audience and featured mainly white actors. Popular shows from this era include ‘The Villagers’ and ‘Biltong and Potroast.’
The 1980s: The 1980s saw the introduction of more diverse and politically relevant TV series in South Africa. Shows like ‘S’gudi ‘Snaysi’ and ‘Molo Fish’ portrayed the lives of black South Africans under apartheid and the struggles they faced. These shows were significant in raising awareness of social and political issues in the country.
The 1990s: The 1990s saw an explosion of new TV series in South Africa. This was due in part to the lifting of apartheid-era broadcasting restrictions, which allowed for more diverse programming. Shows like ‘Yizo Yizo’ and ‘Isidingo’ reflected the changing political and social landscape of South Africa and addressed issues such as crime, poverty, and inequality.
The 2000s: In the 2000s, South African TV series continued to evolve, with a greater emphasis on high-quality production values and international distribution. Shows like ‘Generations’ and ‘Soul City‘ attracted large audiences both in South Africa and abroad, and helped to establish the country’s reputation as a producer of quality television content.
The 2010s: The 2010s saw the rise of streaming services in South Africa, which provided new opportunities for local TV series to reach wider audiences. Shows like ‘iNumber Number‘ and ‘Queen Sono‘ were produced specifically for streaming platforms like Netflix, and helped to raise the profile of South African TV series on the international stage.
Here are the best 2000s South African TV series you should see:
Egoli: Place of Gold (1992-2010)
A long-running soap opera set in Johannesburg that followed the lives and loves of a wealthy and powerful family.
Soul City (1994-2010)
A health and social issues drama series that aims to promote public awareness and change through storytelling.
Isidingo (1998-2020)
A long-running soap opera that tells the story of the residents of Horizon Deep, a fictional mining town.
Yizo Yizo (1999-2004)
A gritty drama that explores the challenges faced by students and teachers in a South African high school.
Gaz’lam (2002-2005)
A drama series that follows the lives of four friends living in a Johannesburg township. It is one of the best 2000s South African TV series.
Hard Copy (2005-20016)
A crime drama series that focuses on the inner workings of a newspaper investigative unit.
Backstage (2000-2005)
A musical drama series set in a fictional music school in Johannesburg, following the lives and careers of a group of aspiring musicians. It is surely one of the best 2000s South African TV series.
Tsha Tsha (2003-2006)
A drama series that tells the story of a group of young people living in a South African township.
Intersexions (2010-2013)
A drama anthology series that explores issues related to sexuality and HIV/AIDS. It is one of the best 2000s South African TV series.
The Lab (2006-2009)
A medical drama series that takes place in a research laboratory.
Stokvel (2003-2012)
A comedy series that follows the lives of a group of women who are part of a savings club.
The evolution of TV series in South Africa has been shaped by the country’s complex social, political, and cultural history, and has reflected the changing needs and aspirations of its diverse audiences.
The evolution of South African television series has been fascinating, with the emergence of some of the best 2000s South African TV series marking a new era in the industry’s development. The early days of television in South Africa were dominated by the importation and broadcasting of content from the United Kingdom and the United States, but the 2000s saw a shift towards the production of more home-grown TV series. This led to the emergence of iconic 2000s South African TV series, including “Egoli: Place of Gold,” “Soul City,” “Isidingo,” and “Yizo Yizo,” which reflected the country’s unique stories, cultures, and perspectives. In the 1990s, the lifting of apartheid-era broadcasting restrictions allowed for more diverse programming, which continued to evolve in the 2000s with a greater emphasis on high-quality production values and international distribution. The rise of streaming services in the 2010s provided new opportunities for local TV series to reach wider audiences, leading to shows like “iNumber Number” and “Queen Sono” produced specifically for streaming platforms.
If you’re looking for the best South African TV series to watch, this list of 2000s South African TV series is a good place to start. From the long-running soap opera “Egoli: Place of Gold” to the health and social issues drama series “Soul City,” there’s something for everyone. Other shows on the list include “Isidingo,” “Yizo Yizo,” “Gaz’lam,” “Hard Copy,” “Backstage,” “Tsha Tsha,” “Intersexions,” “The Lab,” and “Stokvel.” These shows reflect the changing social, political, and cultural landscape of South Africa and have contributed to the growth of the local TV industry. Many of these shows were broadcast on SABC, the country’s public broadcaster, and have become part of the category of old South African TV shows that continue to be remembered and loved by fans.
