WORLD AIDS-Why serious conduct can still be sparked by thought-provoking content

Loading player...
Yvonne Diogo – Country Director MTV Staying Alive Foundation talks about Can television shows change how people think and act? In Nigeria,researchers evaluated the impact of MTV Shuga, a drama featuring educational storylines about HIV/AIDS on viewers’ sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The study shows that exposure to MTV Shuga improved viewers’ knowledge and attitudes, increased HIV testing, reduced risky sex, and among women, led to fewer sexually transmitted infections.



Why is this a big deal?

MTV Shuga has been broadcast in 72 countries globally and is watched by huge audiences across MTV, Netflix and YouTube. Imagine how famous you’ll be!

MTV Shuga has a track record of creating stars. Thuso Mbedu, Malibongwe Mdwaba, and Samkelisiwe Makhoba all got their big break on MTV Shuga and look at them now! 

MTV Shuga is a multi-award winning series which has positively impacted the lives of many youth across the world, by teaching them how to make better health choices and you could be part of this meaningful movement. 


Monde Twala, MTV Staying Alive Foundation Board Member and MTv Shuga Down South audition judge  said, “MTV Shuga Down South is the perfect platform to launch your career if you are passionate about acting.  The series has added a great deal of value to former cast members and has seen our alumni gain acting and production experience which has furthered their careers in the performing arts. I am encouraging hopefuls to take that chance and send through their entries”. 

Where are previous audition winners now?
Since acting on MTV Shuga Down South, Season 1 cast member, Samke Ndlovu has joined some of the biggest productions in the South African film and TV industry. She secured lead roles on SABC’s ‘Rented Family’, and Showmax’s medical drama 'Wounds’. She  has starred in films too, including Mzansi Magic’s ‘Isibonakaliso’, Netflix’s ‘Collision’ and eVod’s ‘Surviving Gaza’.  More recently, she was announced as a two-time nominee at the 2022 Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role as Thandeka, in the hit film ‘Surviving Gaza’.
1 Dec 2022 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

The Second Bond: The Hidden Costs Homebuyers Miss

Jonathan Kohler exposes the “second bond” — the monthly bill homeowners face before paying their actual home loan. From R4,000–R7,000 in Johannesburg and Cape Town to over R11,500 in Umhlanga, we unpack levies, utilities, maintenance, special levies and municipal tariffs that determine true affordability. A must‑listen for buyers, investors and…
1 Jul 1PM 27 min

SA New Vehicle Sales post strongest June result since 2007

South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout June performance despite inflation, fuel price spikes and weaker consumer confidence. Dr Paulina Mamogobo, Chief Economist at NAAMSA, breaks down the domestic resilience, export pressures, shifting macroeconomic signals, and what these trends mean for the industry heading into the second half of…
1 Jul 12PM 20 min

Protests, Politics & State Capacity: What Today’s Unrest Signals

Anti‑immigration protests highlight deep governance failures, rising public frustration and the erosion of state authority. Professor William Gumede unpacks the political economy behind the unrest, the risks to social cohesion, the impact on investor confidence, and why South Africa urgently needs a coordinated, evidence‑based migration strategy.
30 Jun 5PM 22 min

One Labour Market, Three Data Sets: The Real Story Behind Jobs

GDP shows modest growth, QES shows formal job trends, and the QLFS reveals household‑level pressure. Together, they paint a complex picture of South Africa’s labour market. Statistician‑General Risenga Maluleke explains how these data sets interlink, where they diverge, and what they reveal about job creation.
30 Jun 5PM 20 min

SA TAX SEASON 2026 KICKS OFF: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

South Africa’s tax season opens with new rules, new risks and widespread misconceptions. From two‑pot withdrawals taxed at marginal rates to multiple IRP5s, provisional tax surprises and auto‑assessment pitfalls. Stian De Witt from NMG Benefits explains the hidden traps catching ordinary South Africans
30 Jun 5PM 21 min