'What South African stories would you like to see?' — Thabang Moleya picks the brains of tweeps

Seasoned producer and director Thabang Moleya picked the brains of his followers about TV content.

South African audiences are spoilt for choice from TV, to an array of readily available streaming platforms, but there have been a few concerns from viewers about the type of content. 

Thabang took to his Twitter timeline to ask his followers on the content they would prefer to see on their TV screens.

“America literally makes movies about everything America related. What South African stories would you like to see, guys? Better to ask than going out and making them and then you don’t watch. Consider this a survey.”

Tweeps gave the director some ideas, including the Maponya Story — from being a teacher during World War 2, to building an empire, based on the late Soweto businessman Richard Maponya.

“The Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbuli story — a love story from Africa to America back to Africa, as well as the The Hugh and Mirriam story — an untold love story,” said one.

“I don't know what I want... but I know what I don't want... Enough with Apartheid (I get that its history but damn), drugs, heists and crime ...” said another tweep.

There has been debate about the relevance of soapies focusing on similar themes.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE previously about this issue, Royalty Soapie Awards actress and founder Winnie Ntshaba said they were mirroring society. 

“We are reflecting what's going on in society through telling stories. Writers from House of Zwide and writers from Generations and Muvhango are all reflecting on what's going on in society at that time, they put it on paper.

“We are not just entertainers, we also have a responsibility to shape our society. We address the social ills we see. We have a social cohesion category, one of the special categories introduced two years ago that we give to a soapie that has a storyline that addresses such issues, be it drug abuse, gender-based violence, xenophobia. You know all the social ills we are faced with. I wouldn't say soapies are irrelevant.”