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

SA Tourism returns to Pre-Pandemic Shine

South Africa welcomed 10.5 million tourists in 2025, surpassing pre‑pandemic levels for the first time. To unpack what this means for the industry, for jobs, and for South Africa’s global competitiveness, we’re joined by Thandiwe Mathibela, GM: Global PR, Communications, and Stakeholder Relations
2 Apr 5PM 12 min

Easter getaway: Five critical insurance checks

For families preparing to travel this weekend, there are a few top actions they should take to ensure their cover is valid. Understanding your obligations is as important as having a policy. We’re joined now by John Manyike, Head of Financial Education at Old Mutual, to unpack the biggest risks…
2 Apr 5PM 8 min

Pivot Point – Ramano on Transforming SA Leadership

For today’s Pivot Point feature, we’re joined by Ms. Tryphosa Ramano for a conversation about leadership, transformation, and the future of South Africa’s financial sector. We celebrate her three‑decade career defined by financial stewardship and a relentless commitment to transformation.
2 Apr 4PM 24 min

SA’s two-pot system sees repeat withdrawals

Since South Africa’s two-pot retirement system went live in September 2024, AlexForbes has now processed and paid more than one million savings-pot withdrawal claims, marking one of the largest operational undertakings in the country’s retirement industry. With more on the story behind the numbers, Vickie Lange, Head of Solutions Enhancement…
2 Apr 4PM 14 min

5 Easter scams to watch out for

RCS says holiday periods create the perfect storm: people are traveling, shopping online, and spending more time on social media—all moments when vigilance naturally drops. The company has identified six major scam types that tend to spike during school holidays, and Audrey Roberts, Customer Operations Executive at RCS, joins us…
2 Apr 4PM 12 min