As many viewers already know, MultiChoice also widened the reach of Mzansi Magic. It is now available on DStv Select (the package formerly known as Family). Before this change, Mzansi Magic was only for people on DStv Sports (formerly Compact) and Premium. Now that it’s on Select, more subscribers get access to popular local dramas, telenovelas and reality shows such as Kwa Baba, Spinners, Izingane Zes’thembu and Married at First Sight Mzansi.
This expansion of Mzansi Magic effectively makes Wethu+ look less important on paper. MultiChoice seems to hope that by scrapping Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Music, people will stop seeing Wethu+ as just a catch-up channel for Mzansi Magic. Instead, they want Wethu+ to stand as its own general entertainment and sports brand — something closer to the role SABC 1 plays.On weekday mornings Wethu+ now runs a music block with shows like Afro Pop Hits and Number Club. Under the old Mzansi Wethu name, that same morning slot was filled with kids’ programming. Like the old Mzansi Music channel, a lot of that kids’ content felt like a dumping ground for very old shows. I’m not saying all of it was bad, but programmes such as Koowe died decades ago, and even KykNET & Kie moved on from that kind of material long ago. For some reason MultiChoice kept airing those old shows on Mzansi Wethu until the rebrand. It always felt like a disposable timeslot.
Putting music in that morning slot is probably a smart move. Viewership is usually lower at that time of day, so filling it with music is an easy way to try and attract a few more viewers without spending much on new content.
One brand that has almost disappeared in all these changes is Mzansi Bioskop. Unlike Mzansi Music, Bioskop never got much airtime anyway. Even on weekends the channel still prioritises Mzansi Magic content. Wethu+ now has an international movie block, even though channels like M Movies Legends, Movie Room and TNT already exist. Instead of using that slot mainly for Bioskop films, they’re filling it with movies that are widely available elsewhere. That feels like a missed chance to give local Bioskop content proper space.
M-Net brings back Brazilian dramas on Wethu+
Not long ago we reported on a new programme coming to Wethu+ called Umhlaba Wezifiso (known in Brazil as Terra e Paixão). This will be the first international drama to air on the new channel, but it is not the first time M-Net has brought Brazilian shows to South African screens.
Over the years M-Net used Mzansi Magic to air several Brazilian dramas, including Empire of Lies, Avenida Brasil and Shades of Sin. These kinds of shows have been growing in popularity across Africa. Telemundo licensed Cacau for African viewers, while SABC and e.tv picked up Orphan of a Nation and India: A Love Story.
So it is no big surprise that Wethu+ is also joining the list of channels offering dubbed international programming. A portion of its lineup still comes from Mzansi Magic, and this is clearly one of MultiChoice’s attempts to pull in more viewers.
That said, airing a show that KykNET & Kie has already run as Plaas Van Passie feels a bit like an insult to some of us. Then again, this is nothing new for MultiChoice. They also licensed the Paramount+ series Landman for both M-Net and KykNET at the same time. Some DStv viewers (myself included) will probably ignore Umhlaba Wezifiso, while others may end up enjoying it as a solid addition to the schedule.
Wethu+ adds Betway and a new variety show
MultiChoice has also widened access to PSL football. Viewers on DStv Starter (formerly Access) can now watch one game per week through Wethu+ and SuperSport KickOff. If you want full PSL coverage you still have to upgrade to DStv Select.
Before the Wethu+ launch, the channel put out casting calls looking for families to take part in an upcoming game show. Not many details have been released yet, but it looks like the show will only arrive in 2027.
Overall, the rebrand from Mzansi Wethu to Wethu+ feels like MultiChoice trying to tidy up its lower packages and give the channel a clearer identity. Whether it works will depend on how much new and exclusive content they actually put on it in the coming months.
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