DStv has always known the power of a good story. But if there is one genre that’s truly carried us through, it’s comedy. Laughter is how we cope, connect, and sometimes even confront the uncomfortable. Whether it’s family feuds turned funny, satirical takedowns of society, or good ol’ prank chaos, South African comedy on DStv has reflected who we are: messy, brilliant, diverse, and hilarious.
We take a look at some of the funniest homegrown gems now streaming on DStv and Showmax – from cult classics to current favourites.
Comedies on DStv Stream
Fathers & Sons
Just when you thought you know family drama, Mzansi Magic is here to prove you wrong with its brand-new comedy drama series Fathers & Sons. Fathers & Sons is a hilarious, heartfelt reminder that despite the embarrassing dynamics a family might find themselves in, it is fun, loud and definitely where love lives. So get ready for a laugh-out-loud, heart-tugging and sometimes eyebrow-raising ride through the lives of three generations of Mphahlele men trying (and failing) to live in harmony under one roof.
Watch Fathers and Sons every Monday at 8PM on Mzansi Magic Channel 161.
Tali’s Joburg Diary
Tali’s Joburg Diary is the hilarious third instalment of the first-ever Showmax Original, Tali’s Wedding Diary. It was named SA’s Best Comedy for two seasons in a row at the SAFTAs. After surviving the pandemic, Tali struggles to finance her flashy lifestyle. When offered a lifeline to move back to Joburg, Tali sees it as an opportunity to take up the reins of the Queen Bee of Jozi.
Watch Tali’s Joburg Diary on DStv Stream and on Showmax. While you're at it, you're going to want to rewatch the first two seasons: Tali's Wedding Diary and Tali's Baby Diary.
Bhai’s Café
Set in Wynberg, Cape Town, this quirky film blends Bollywood flair with local flavour. When a greedy developer threatens the family café, Bhai and his daughter fight back with heart, humour, and a whole lot of community spirit. It's a feel-good comedy with a proudly South African kick.
Watch Bhai’s Cafe on DStv Stream and Showmax.
Leon Schuster’s greatest hits
No one does chaos quite like Schuster. For decades, he’s been the king of South African comedy, whether he’s ambushing unsuspecting citizens or poking fun at politics.
Now, his iconic prank films are back on DStv Stream and Showmax, thanks to a new wave of nostalgic love and a recent honour at the kykNET Silwerskermfees. Schuster was recognised not only for his enormous impact on local comedy, but also for being one of the most commercially successful filmmakers in SA history. To top it off, a new documentary, called Schuster, about his life and legacy revisits the highs, the mayhem, and the changing lens on what we find funny is also airing at 8PM on Wednesday on kykNET (DStv Channel 144).
Leon Schuster classics you can stream right now
There’s a Zulu on My Stoep
A classic comedy about prejudice. Two boys form an unlikely friendship in apartheid South Africa and when they meet again as adults, they go from one misadventure to the next. A buddy comedy that tackles racial tension with slapstick charm and an unexpected dose of heart.
Watch There’s a Zulu on My Stoep on DStv Stream and on Showmax.
Mad Buddies
SA comedy giants Leon Schuster and Kenneth Nkosi play two enemies who are conned into starring in a reality show - all understandable, ‘cause the trickster is hot model Tanit Phoenix! Sworn enemies forced on a chaotic road trip and secretly filmed for a reality show they don’t know exists.
Watch Mad Buddies now on DStv Stream and on Showmax.
Shucks! Your Country Needs You
Leon Schuster is back in elaborate costumes and makeup to wreak havoc across the country by testing the limits of South Africans in completely bizarre situations. Political satire meets candid-camera madness and Schuster’s wildest public pranks on parade.
Watch Shucks Your Country Needs You on DStv Stream and on Showmax.
Oh Shucks! It’s Schuster
Leon Schuster takes to the streets of South Africa in various guises to prank the unsuspecting public. Dodgy disguises, jaw-dropping set-ups, and total chaos. In a series of short skits, Leon Schuster uses candid camera and several disguises to stitch up the general public. Vintage Schuster at his most unhinged.
Watch Oh Shucks! It’s Schuster on DStv Stream and on Showmax.
Shucks Pay Back the Money
The legendary South African comedian Leon Schuster returns for another crazy film, filled with even bigger antics and chaos. After losing the Currie Cup, Schuks embarks on a journey to pay for his mistake. Instead of fining him R1 million, the Sports Minister offers Schuks the opportunity to create a documentary that shows South Africa in a positive light. Watch Shucks Pay Back The Money on DStv Stream and on Showmax.
More laughs from Showmax Originals
One Weeks
One Weeks follows a charming high-school dropout from Soweto, who can’t believe his luck when he finds himself dating a successful lawyer, Lihle. He then has to rely on the help of Lihle’s sharp-witted 10-year-old daughter, Angie, to avoid losing her to rich men.
Binge all episodes on Showmax.
Ekhaya Backpackers
Ekhaya Backpackers follows a dysfunctional and seemingly unqualified family who turn their home into a backpackers to pay off their late mother’s debt to keep the family house or lose it to a loan shark. Made up of two very different brothers, a crazy baby mama, an inappropriate grandmother and an uncle who loves the bottle, there is never a dull moment in the Mthembu household.
Binge all episodes on Showmax.
Whether you’re here for nostalgia or discovering these laughs for the first time, this is your reminder that South African comedy has always been world-class.
