TV REVIEW: "Mfolozi Street" Takes It Back to the Streets in Brand New Season

SABC 1 is at it again, making their rounds of mid-season premiers and Mzansi's post-apartheid era drama has made the list. "Mfolozi Street" is back for a second season!

The series pick up after the death of Samuel's grandmother, which left him devastated and depressed. Right at the beginning of the first episode of season 2, we see him sobbing at her grave; which even though it is a heartbreaking moment, it is also heartwarming to watch him display his emotions like that, something we are not quite used to. However, later on, we also get to witness his irrational behavior when he uses the money that his grandmother left for him carelessly, purchasing alcohol and a motorbike. Even though the humble and soft-hearted Dennis has been placed as the legal trust for all the funds that Samuel's grandmother left for him, Samuel manages to trick Dennis into getting access to the money. As per norm, seeing all of this triggers the folks of Mfolozi Street to hold an intervention to try and talk to the boy, but their attempts are all in vain as he lashes out at them and orders them away.

Besides the continuation of the storyline, "Mfolozi Street" has not really shifted much from the first season. It is still set entirely on one street in Daveyton. Every scene in every episode plays out either in the houses, yards, pavements and communal areas of Mfolozi Street. However, I did notice that unlike in the first season where we saw a lot of tongue lashing and feisty confrontations between the neighbors, in the second season they seem to be more close and tolerant of each other. 

As the focus shifts more towards Samuel, even under unfortunate circumstances, he still manages to carry the humor of the series with his witty statements and comments. Dennis on the other hand, seems to have soften up even more this season, making it difficult for us to take him any seriously. I was happy to see an improvement in the make up department for Hlubi Mboya and Leshoko Sebotsane. The ladies often looked a total mess and it has refreshing to see them have a more decent and well put together look that brings out their beauties. I also love the new opening sequence. It is more edgy, classy and modern.

As much as we love the 'authentically South African' stories that "Mfolozi Street" tells, it does tend to be predictable at times. I would have loved to see the writers tackle a more nonconventional plot in season 2. The series boasts of an amazing cast ensemble and it would be great to watch them in more challenging roles. Director, Adze Ugah, though does a great job in bringing out the best act from everyone.

"Mfolozi Street" airs every Thursdays at 8:30pm on SABC 1