7 May 2021
If you fell for Love Lives Here, try these other local gems
In Love Lives Here, now streaming on Showmax, Thando Thabethe plays Zinhle, a hard-working single woman with a modern outlook but traditional values. She knows what’s best for her, and that the next step in her life is to get married. But can she find a man who’s ready to commit? The fun South African romcom set SA Twitter alight in 2020 when a video clip of one of the movie’s extremely steamy sex scenes between Thando and her co-star Lungile Radu went viral.
Now that you’ve watched the movie, take your pick from these local shows and films.
Looking for Love (2018) – Showmax
A 38-year-old Zulu woman is pressured into looking for a husband. Disastrous dates ensue – until someone from her past returns and turns things upside down. Hilarious comedy starring Celeste Ntuli.
Mrs Right Guy (2016) – Showmax + Netflix
Gugu has cut herself off from love, shooting down any potential suitor before they can even come close. Yet sometimes love comes to find you, even if you try to run away, as we see in this brilliant romantic comedy. Also starring Thando Thabethe, also featuring an unforgettable sex scene.
Tell Me Sweet Something (2015)– Showmax
Moratiwa runs her bookstore with ambitions of being a writer. Then she meets Nat, a model who wants to be loved for his mind, not body. But are they meant for each other? Starring Nomzamo Mbatha (Isibaya) as Moratiwa and Maps Maponyane as Nat.
Happiness is a Four-Letter Word – Showmax
In this uplifting South African romantic drama, three friends try to find love, happiness and success in Johannesburg. (The sequel, Happiness Ever After, is coming soon to Netflix.)
Kandasamys: The Wedding (2019) – Showmax
Enemies turned friends Jennifer Kandasamy and Shanti Naidoo are thrilled that their children are getting married. But as the big day draws closer, things start to fall apart. (The sequel, Trippin’ With the Kandasamys, is now on Netflix, and the prequel, Keeping UP With the Kandasamys, is on Showmax.)
Seriously Single – Netflix
In this fun South African romcom, Dineo (Fulu Mugovhani) has to move on after she finds out that the man of her dreams is dreaming of someone else. She gives the single life a try, guided by her footloose friend Noni (Tumi Morake), but she’s not convinced she’ll ever get used to being alone. And when her ex, Lunga (Bohang Moeko), has a change of heart, will she be able to resist his considerable charms?
How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding – Netflix
Set against the backdrop of Beauty’s Christmas Wedding, her older, troublesome sister Tumi’s shenanigans come to life. From the inappropriate drunkle, Malome Shadrack, to judgmental aunties, resentful siblings and closely guarded family secrets, the three-part series offers up hilarious tropes that families the world over can relate to.
Catching Feelings – Netflix
Amid growing tensions in their marriage, a Johannesburg professor (Kagiso Lediga, who also directed, wrote and produced the movie) and his journalist wife (Pearl Thusi) find their lives turned upside down by the appearance of a hard-partying author.
Housekeepers S1-2 – Showmax
Thando Thabethe stars in this fan-favourite drama multi-SAFTA-nominated series about Linda (Thabethe), whose mother is framed for the murder of her patient. Linda goes undercover as a housekeeper to find out what really happened.
Black Tax S1-2 – Showmax
Successful professional Thuli Dlamini grapples with the unspoken “pay as you grow” rule in her community – that when you’re successful, you pay everyone back for the support they gave you while you grew up.
