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

It’s My House: SA’s Property Boom: Risks, Reality & Buyer Protection

Cyn Mac Properties’ Matome Machaba unpacks South Africa’s booming property market from first‑time buyer surges and semigration trends to rising fraud, hijacked buildings and affordability pressures. He explains the need for a national fraud registry, the impact of the PIE Amendment Bill, and the practical steps buyers must take to…
27 Aug 1PM 13 min

IDC Swings to a FY Loss of R4.6bln on Subsidiary Pressure

The Industrial Development Corporation released its 2026 financial results, showing R17 billion disbursed, R28 billion mobilised in co‑funding, and R2.3 billion in Company-level profit, despite a challenging industrial environment marked by weak fixed investment, global trade uncertainty, and pressure on export-oriented sectors. There remains pressure at headline level as it…
27 Aug 1PM 13 min

Clicks Taps Into South Africa’s Township Economy

Clicks CEO Bertina Engelbrecht breaks down the launch of KwaMakhi a new township‑focused retail format designed for high‑density, lower‑income communities. She explains why Clicks is expanding beyond traditional malls, how KwaMakhi differs from standard stores, and what this means for healthcare access in areas like Alexandra, Soweto, Tembisa and Khayelitsha.
27 Aug 12PM 10 min

Grindrod’s Record Volumes & Rail Future: CEO Kwazi Mabaso on H1 2026

Grindrod CEO Kwazi Mabaso unpacks the Group’s strong interim performance — including record 8.4 million tonnes at the Port of Maputo, a 52% surge in EBITDA, and resilient drybulk throughput across SA terminals. We explore safety improvements, logistics challenges, locomotive redeployment, and major strategic projects like the Matola expansion and…
27 Aug 12PM 14 min

Real Salaries Lift — But Households Still Under Pressure

July brought rare relief as nominal net salaries edged up to R21,642 and real salaries improved for the first time in nine months. But with year‑to‑date salary growth at just 1.6% and real earnings still 2.2% below last year, households remain stretched. Elize Kruger breaks down wage trends, inflation dynamics,…
26 Aug 1PM 10 min