Linking lovers' lovers

The Big Read: Intersexions, an edgy drama on SABC TV, is pushing the safe sex, HIV prevention genre to daring new heights.

The show - with the tagline "Do you know your lover's lovers?" - does not revolve around a cast of star characters, like most soapies. Instead, it tracks the HI virus as it spreads silently between sexual partners, leading to the lives of strangers becoming interlocked.

They become related not by blood but by the virus, said the show's co-producers, Curious Pictures and Ants Multimedia.

"Intersexions raises the bar of edutainment," said DJ Sbu, of Metro FM. It has also raised a storm on Facebook and Twitter.

Each of the first 25 episodes is a story on its own but in a postscript episode the sexual network linking the characters is revealed in documentary format with animation.

Dineo Lusengo, who plays the role of Tsholofelo , said: "A lot of people are unaware that having a sexual relationship creates a web and it's been shocking to see how far-reaching it is."

Intersexions also challenges the conventional drama format by having 68 actors and actresses who portray love and relationships across all ages, races and social circles.

"It speaks to people across all racial and socio-economic backgrounds," said Wandile Molebatsi, who plays Charlie, the chef.

"The story is nuanced and it feels like we are playing normal people. It holds a mirror up to society."

Molebatsi said: "My character is an ordinary guy who happens to have a one-night stand.

"Everyone can relate to doing something silly, whether it's a kiss or more."

The plot is not linear but shifts around in time, reflecting how past relationships can catch up to us in the present and affect our future, and it ultimately does a full circle.

Mbali Ntuli, who plays Lindi, said: "The story jumps back and forth with flashbacks. It reflects a big slice of South African society and shows how people of different languages and cultures become entwined."

Taryn Bennet, who plays the role of Amy, said: " Intersexions is not the first HIV show but it is breaking new ground by taking another angle on it."

The story opens on the wedding day of Mandisa, who hears on the radio that DJ Mo, with whom she had sex five years previously, is dying of Aids.

"She decides not to tell her future husband and marries the wealthy lawyer, Kabelo.

"When Mandisa finds out she is pregnant, the significance [of her decision to find out if she is HIV infected] doubles and she takes an HIV test," said Richard Delate.

He is the country programme director for Johns Hopkins Health and Education South Africa, one of the show's sponsors.

Delate said: "She has slept with four men but the question is whom have her previous lovers slept with."

More viewers than expected tuned in on the first night the show was screened and it has maintained high ratings among its target viewers.

The series spurs viewers to think about their own sexual choices, said Delate.

Molebatsi said: "This is challenging edutainment, but the viewers do not feel like they're being taught a lesson."

The content can be disturbing: for example, a prison rape scene followed by a suicide.

Intersexions, which is broadcast on Tuesday nights, has become a popular topic of conversation on Wednesdays.

The comments on its Facebook page range from the honest "I don't want to know my status" to the well-informed "Ignorance, not sex, is the killer".

Sexologist and director of Disa Health Care Elna McIntosh gives online advice to viewers on Facebook and answers their questions.

Fans are even counting how many people they think have been infected.

"Viewers are making a lot of assumptions," said Delate.

The show also has a following on radio stations, which truck drivers and students call with questions. Each of the SABC's 11 indigenous language stations has a slot for Intersexions and McIntosh can be heard on Radio Lesedi.

She said callers usually pick up on the topics arising from that night's show; for example, prostitution or teachers having sex with pupils.

"Intersexions is breaking down a lot of stereotypes," she said.

McIntosh also does online advice for the e.tv drama 4Play Sex Tips for Girls, another Curious Pictures series produced for Johns Hopkins to promote HIV prevention.

Ntuli said: "Intersexions diverges from the typical education dramas in its style and large cast.

"Viewers can relate to one or other character and it makes them think.

"We hope it will change perceptions and behaviour. "

• Intersexions is broadcast on Tuesdays at 8.30pm on SABC1. See http://intersexions-tv.co.za