Netflix’s latest African original series, JIVA! is coming soon. As implied by the title JIVA, a South African slang term that translates to ‘dance’, the show is a drama series.
Led by South African female actress, Noxolo Dlamini, the series follows the story of a talented street dancer called Ntombi from Umlazi, Durban.
Struggling to deal with a dead-end job, family problems, she decides to use dance as her ticket out of her frustrating life and into the spotlight.
With her mindset on dancing, the ambitious dancer forms a dance group called the Trollies that showcases several exciting South African dance moves all choreographed by Bontle Modiselle and Tom London.
Dlamini is joined by an all-local cast including veteran South African actor Tony Kgoroge, Candice Modiselle, Zazi Kunene, Stella Dlangalala, Sne Mbatha, Prince Grootboom, Given Stuurman, Zamani Mbatha (Rhythm City and Isithembiso), and Anga Makubalo.
Written by showrunner and director Busisiwe Ntintili and Bakang Sebatjane, the show is directed by Scottnes L Smith, Mandla Dube. It is produced by Cape Town-based production team Blue Ice Africa with Busisiwe Ntintili, Adam Friedlander and Tebogo Maila as Executive Producers.
The dance series joins the growing list of original African series. This series follows “Queen Sono” and “Blood & Water”, both of which have been renewed for a second season. Netflix’s first Nigerian original is also in the works.
JIVA! premieres on the streaming platform on June 24th 2021!