It’s great to finally see some new shows back on the SABC. NBC’s The Philanthropist, about  a billionaire playboy-turned-vigilante played by Rome’s James Purefoy, started on 8 April 2010. The show was shot in South Africa with Moonlighting Films.

Starting on 18 April, SABC3 will be screening Knight Rider, based on the iconic 1980’s television classic starring David Hasselhof. Cape Town’s BlackGinger contributed visual effects to the show.

SABC2’s long-running wildlife and environmental show, 50/50, will make a comeback in April.  After an almost one-year break, 50/50 will return with a new look and feel, hosted by Ntokozo Mbuli and Simon Gear.

South African musician Johnny Clegg will present A Country Imagined. The show explores South Africa’s landscapes that have inspired artists, writers, musicians and dancers.  Shot on HD, with aerial, historical and time-lapse photography, A Country Imagined is a 13-part, one hour series, set to air from 25 April 2010 on SABC2. The show was produced by Curious Pictures. 

Also on SABC2 comes Hola Mpinji, a youthful, fast-paced drama series that hopes to showcase South Africa’s enormous gospel singing talent. The series, based on the popular series of youth novels written by Zachariah Rapola, started on Tuesday 13 April 2010.

On SABC1, Respect started on 17 March 2010 and aims to pay homage to the people whose immense contribution in their respective fields have shaped South Africa’s landscape. The face of the show is the indefatigable hip hop icon, HHP.