• 

Well, just like that – after 14 years on our screens, Rhythm City (RC) – the popular local TV soap has officially come to an end. The prime time soap was the brain child of Rolie Nikiwe and Neil McCarthy, produced by Quizzical Pictures and made its debut on the etv free-to-air channel on the 9th July 2007. It was brought in as a replacement for the previous youth-based soap, Backstage which played on the similar time slot.

Rhythm City had the backdrop of the recording local music industry as its main story line that interplays with the complex balance between navigating township life and its challenges with those of the up-market suburbs. It brought us thrilling characters and captivating storylines that reflected the dynamics between the two worlds and how they merge.

The axing of the show comes fresh after the show won Best TV soap at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in May. The decision to can the show is still unclear as the only explanation given by the channel is that this was part of its ‘strategic business decision’. The show has been consistently part of the top 10 most watched TV shows in the country and was the second most watched show on the channel with a following of 4.04 million viewers, according news24.

With that said, the show aired it’s final episode on Friday the 16th July 2021 (I must add that the ending was a bit of a let down but more on that bit later in the piece) and as a person who closely followed the show since its inception, here are my memories and highlights for all fellow Rhythm Cityzens to reflect upon and recall.

A strong advocate for local music

By far, the one thing I will remember the most about RC is how the show was intentional in its push for local music not only in its storylines (as part of Redemption record artists and performances at Kilowatt) and overall look and feel of the show (through music scores and after the opening sequel and in-between the scenes). That was something that gave the show an authentic edge and made it easily stand out from the rest. I will always remember the show for being unapologetic about its support and flair for local music and it did so without fail for the past 14 years.

Best TV villains of all time!

• 

• 

Who can forget the stellar performances that the show offered through the characters David Genaro (played by renowned actor Jamie Bartlett) and Naomi Fischer (played by equally celebrated actress Moshidi Motshegwa). The best of both worlds in one show – how electrifying was that! For a long time, it seemed that no one could go head-to-head against Genaro and came out of the altercation alive. Well, this was true up until just recently, when all things came crumbling down for Genaro who surrendered and died at the hands of archnemeses Khulekani and Suffocate (played by Mcedisi Shabangu and Mduduzi Mabasa respectively) on the 5th February 2020. This, when actor Jamie Bartlet decided to hang up his gloves and let go of the insurmountable and incomparable character. It was fresh to see the lethal Genaro finding his match through the equally vile Fischer, who initially came to the scene as sweet and innocent wife who was looking after her husband who was living with a disability who later evolved into record label guru, Miles Vilakazi’s biggest nightmare. I can’t wait for re-runs of the show one day to catch up on some memorable scenes delivered by these two.

From ekasi to emakhishini

The one other memorable thing about the show was how easy it was for the township (kasi) life experience to be merged with the more affluent (suburb) lifestyle. You easily got a scene where you are at Mamokete’s spaza shop one moment to the Kilowatt club (located at the makeshift Soweto Power Park) in Diepkloof and then have it followed with a scene at 99 radio station or at the Vilakazi mansion. The smooth transition and relatability of the two worlds was preserved appropriately by the producers from the onset.

Other memorable characters – comedics Sis Bee, Mam Rose, Jafta & Cuba

Oh, were we not thoroughly entertained by four unique characters who each brought a dimension that not only made them authentic but memorable as well in how they delivered their lines and their storylines? Sis Bee (played by the award-winning Thembsie Matu) was a nurse by profession who always had her eyes and ears on everyone’s business except her own. Also in the same breath of someone who also could not keep focus to her life was Cuba, Puleng’s mother, played by legendary thespian Mam Magi Nomsizi Williams who is remembered from the days of Velaphi. Sis Bee and Cuba were your typical kasi Mam’gobhozi’s (ladies who loved gossip) and the two played their roles with ease. Sis Bee always had a punchline to her lines and together with Cuba, were always there to give comedic comfort to the other kasi women around their circle. Speaking of comedic comfort, I remember the troubled couple Jafta and Rose (played by Sandile Dlamini and Elizabeth Serunye) who were a delightful tag team to watch as they navigated their complicated union which was marred with differences from their ethnicity. Rose was Sepedi and Jafta was Zulu. Their dialogues interchanged between the two languages and would often lead to stitches at the end of the day. A full circle moment occurred involving all these characters leading to the finale, were although initially married to Rose, Jafta went on to have a relationship with Sis Bee after Rose left the show, then thereafter, Sis Bee also left. Towards the finale, Jafta started a relationship which seemed to be ever lasting with Cuba. Talk about going full circle!

Stumbling blocks & criticism

Rhythm City came in as a replacement for Backstage and occupied the coveted 06.30pm prime time TV time slot. It took some years to garner enough viewership to dominate that time slot and after reaching that milestone, the show started regressing slightly, where figures were concerned. With an addition of new daily soap on another free-to-air channel for the same slot, Rhythm City almost sank to the bottom of the viewership battle for the slot. It was at that point that the channel decided to move the timeslot to the now 7pm slot, where it began to reclaim its former glory. The storyline also seemed to be focused on one character mostly, the notorious David Genaro, who after deciding to leave the show in early 2020, was predicted to signal the official end of the show. Murder after murder, crime after crime, he seemed to always get away with it until the end, when he finally got to pay for all his sins with his own life. The move to 7pm, came with slight changes to the opening theme music, overall look and feel of the show with the show’s logo changed from fiery orange to an uptown blue and orange as the backdrop. A popular musician was heard behind the lyrics of the new opening jingle, then shortly after the new look launch, another artist’s voice was heard as a replacement. There was no explanation behind this very apparent change. The show’s move to 7pm also meant it was attempting to gun for a more younger and edgier audience, which I recall to be one of the reasons why Connie Chiume (Mamokete) opted to leave the show as she felt that she was no longer part of the new target market. The reasons for the show’s axing are still not clear and the only account for this from the channel is the need to realign to a new business strategy that the channel is implementing. The fact that it was the channel’s second most watched show, also could not save it.

The final episode

The curtail call episode which aired on the 16th July 2021 was lackluster for me and missed out on golden chances to help close the loops in some of the storylines of the show over the years. It would have been lovely to have some of the previous cast members reunite one last time, even if it was just as a pitstop to say goodbye. I note, with appreciation however, how Peter Sephuma (Miles Vilakazi) made a return to the show to have a significant impact on the Khuse family’s ending storyline. It would have been lovely to see Stone and Tshidi in particular, return to send off their dad. Thank goodness, the bad guys all (eventually) paid for their sins (Khulekani included) although it was not clear how Ziyanda’s complex storyline with Nandi concluded. And also, why on earth were Puleng and Pule getting all armed and ready for? Glad how things all ended in smiles for Jafta and Cuba (what happened to Sis Bee?), Fats and Amandla, Sindiswa and Sabelo while Pearl and Mzi finally eloped to live their happily ever after. What ever happened to Lerato, Reneilwe, Jamaica, Nikki, Gail and Quintin? I guess their story endings were left to the imagination of the viewers which is not necessarily a terrible idea.

Milestones

• 

Rhythm City has been on air for a period of 14 years and that alone speaks to its longevity and sustainability. It probed societal topics as part of awareness through their storylines such as depression, mental health, domestic abuse, homosexuality, poverty, and the struggles that people from the township go through towards attempting to make a living and many more. It has won numerous SAFTAs during its tenure and has propelled the careers of many including Tebogo Khalo (Puleng), Ishmauel Songo (Sabelo), Tshiamo Molobi (Lefa) & Mapula Mafola (Mapule) amongst many others. The show has also seen only four main characters (pictured) who, towards the end, became three, who’ve been with the show since its inception.

Best ensemble cast

• 

By far another credit to the show is the stellar ensemble cast. The number of South Africa Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) awards to that effect speaks truth to this. The characters Puleng (Tebogo Khalo) , Pearl (Petronella Tshima), David (Jamie Bartlett), Khulekani (Mncedisi Shabangu) and Suffocate (Mduduzi Mabaso) have each won accolades for their individual roles in the show. A best ensemble cast is as good as the crew behind the scenes, and there are a number of off-screen awards to attest to this, which go a long way in paying special credits to the people who make the show look and feel great for on-air viewing. Just as a throwback, do you recall any of these characters – Mamokete Khuse, Sam Sedibeng, Rachel Phakathi, Nonti Ndaba, Thembi Selani, Thula, Bash or Sunay? How I wished that the ending could have had something similar to a reunion…alas.

Looking forward

The show has thanked its viewers for the consistent support over the 14 years and loyal rhythm cityzens like myself have taken the time to reflect and reminisce on the incredible 14 years of RC. The scenes that took our breath away, the scenes that made us boil with anger, those traumatic scenes that reflected our reality and the breakthrough moments – what a delightful journey it has been! Remember how Dineo tragically passed in the fire and how Dumi Masilela (Sifiso Ngema) passed on while he was still part of the show? What about the local music and characters that entertained us so much? So, I beg: enough with the negative comments over the show and over the new show that has already replaced RC. I believe that there is room, a whole lot of it, on our screens for new stories, talent and moments to take us to the next level of our viewing experience and House Of Zwide looks set to do just that. Let’s allow it as part of our new journey going forward.

Forever feeling the beat, forever a Rhythm Cityzen.

Reference article: https://www.news24.com/channel/tv/news/rhythm-city-cast-and-crew-thought-they-were-called-to-be-congratulated-then-got-axed-20201123-2