This is the inaugural episode.
Why is it on the web and not on TV? Because here we can!
Art lovers and fans were happy to hear that the idea of characters based on African leaders, which for now only include Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, DA leader Helen Zille and President Jacob Zuma were going to be in a TV satirical puppet show.
The idea was revolutionary but no mainstream TV station in South Africa has yet touched it. So the show is still internet run.
Fans will be sad to learn season four is proving hard to produce because of financial problems.
In an environment where freedom of the press is crucial, it is sad that products such as ZANews are not yet “acceptable” for public broadcast in South Africa.
You can find the full seasons and episodes HERE.
Satire is a good avenue to explore various political and social views. It is one beauty of an exemplary democracy. I hope people in South Africa would appreciate the kind of dialogue that such TV shows can ignite and the extent to which it can foster the growth and development of the citizenry.
The fact is that our people have not yet understood, within the context of the current form of globalization, the importance of independent African TV shows that promote a discussion of current social and political issues.
I should think that the government of South Africa itself can invest in promoting this type of broadcasting in a way that builds a healthy discussion of the sociopolitical issues that confront the motherland.
I think Za News is just a comedy. I don’t think they want to do all that. It’s a comedy show that’s only interested in making fun of the leaders in South Africa. Now, I don’t see how constructive that is. It’s a totally different thing if they are providing a platform for a careful presentation and discussion of the political issues. But that’s not the case, it only serves to make people laugh.
This is just a South African version of South Park. Honestly, if you’ve seen South Park you would agree with Cricket that it’s purely for comedic purposes. If you guys see something beyond that, fine, but that’s not where Za News is at right now. I am not surprised no one wants to fund it.
In African we respect our leaders… we revere them in fact and making mockery of them is certainly not the way to educate children to become custodians of the motherland.