My initial discovery and subsequent pursuit of Nollywood films spawned into an even bigger appetite for African television and film when I stumbled upon The Africa Channel. The cable network boasts contemporary, English-language African programming across genres including: lifestyle; comedy; drama; travel; music; news; documentaries; movies, and kids. The channel broadcasts in North America and the Caribbean with the intention of demystifying modern-day Africa for American viewers. The company also has a streaming platform called Demand Africa.

I found it refreshing to see people who look like me within stories, and their characters not having to reconcile with their race. Below I share a few of the series that I discovered on the channel and service; they are currently available to stream on various platforms.

Traffic!

The stunningly regal Bonnie Mbuli, who I discovered on the lifestyle newscast Afternoon Express, stars in this crime drama series. As Detective Sergeant Lungi Mlaba, she tirelessly investigates a string of murders in her local Cape Town. She takes care of her daughter, Precious, as well as her younger sister, Andiswa, who is studying but has dreams of becoming a model.

Unlike a traditional crime show which is procedural, each episode in this series builds upon the last. The series sheds a light on human trafficking in South Africa. This article highlights the fact that the horrific practice occurs locally, with trapped victims being forced into slavery and servitude within the country, and not just with the victims being shipped abroad.

The show also exposes the dangers faced by the young homeless teens who are referred to as the “street kids.” Lungi is embattled by the fact that they often become prostitutes and are living outdoors, susceptible to perilous situations and harmful people.

Further, Traffic! spotlights the racism and prejudicial attitudes that exist between different non-white groups of people in Cape Town. I found this phenomenon to be interesting as it seems to be the Asian and Coloured people who exhibit the most blatant anti-Black hatred in the show, a sentiment I have heard echoed by Black travelers who have stayed in the city for some time. I visited Cape Town for a mere eight hours and I hit all the major tourist attractions, so the staff members of all races were polite and courteous towards me. I'm sure I would have had a different experience had I stayed longer and interacted with more people outside of the tourist traps.

Series director Mandilakhe Yengo says, “There's a lot being said within the story and issues being addressed such as human trafficking.” He adds that there is both entertainment value and social awareness in the show that allows the country to do a lot of introspection. Lead actress Bonnie Mbuli notes, “Storytelling is a form of social activism.”

The cinematography, solid acting, quality writing and storylines, and unfettered sound all contribute to a great production.

Traffic! is airing on The Africa Channel at the time of this posting.

The Getaway

Set in Nigeria, this comedy chronicles several Lagos-based couples who travel to a hotel for a business conference.

• Beverly (played by Monalisa Chinda) is a successful engineer, a seasoned woman of a certain age, who travels with her philandering and significantly younger “toy boy,” Oliseh (played by Kunle Remi). She promises to put Oliseh out and effectively cut him off if he embarrasses her.

• Tokunbo A.K.A. Tox (played by Jim Iyke) is a debonair engineer who is used to hitting on all the women that he wants; he even shamelessly hits on interns at his job. Wendy (played by Ini Edo - love her) is a no-nonsense engineer who was previously married to Tox. The two go back and forth sabotaging one another and hilarity ensues. Ini Edo and Jim Iyke’s comedic chemistry is unmatched.

• Femi (played by Femi Jacob) is a single, middle-aged engineer who is accompanied by his young, naive, faithful assistant, Dara (played by Rosaline Meurer). Poor Dara bends over backwards for Femi while he pursues any and every other woman who may catch his roving eye.

• Amba (played by Mbong Amata) is a beautiful, spoiled young woman who is bored after accompanying her older engineer fiancé, Dan (played by Mike Godson), and looks to entertain herself with other romantic pursuits.

Jealousy, feuding, scheming, bribery, and affairs ensue as the couples cross paths.

There is room for improvement regarding the sound quality and cinematography, but it is well-written and the main cast was sublime. I would actually like to give the show creator and producer, Emem Isong Misodi, her flowers because the show is witty, fun and unique. This series is available to stream on YouTube.

Shuga

Shuga is a series produced by MTV Networks and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. The show is focused on telling stories about young African people while raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, safe sex, contraceptives, gender-based violence, and tolerance among other things. The series starts in Kenya for seasons one and two; then moves to Nigeria for seasons three, four, six, eight; and, finally takes place in South Africa for seasons five and seven.

Hollywood’s African sweetheart Lupita Nyong'o stars in the first installment based in Nairobi, where we get a glimpse into modern-day life for college students in the city. She plays Ayira, an ambitious young woman who will do whatever it takes to further her career. It’s a sobering peek into the reality that some youth have to face.

I was not as enthralled by Shuga Naija (set in Nigeria) – the entertainment value seemed to be robbed by the formalized educational segments – but I did enjoy Shuga Down South (set in South Africa). In Down South, we see a teen named Bongi return home to South Africa after living in Nigeria for a while. She feels mature enough to make her own decisions but has to face the consequences of her reckless independence.

Shuga is available to stream on Demand Africa, MTV Shuga's website and on YouTube as well.