Generations (South African TV series)

The backdrop of Generations is the advertising industry, with a storyline that celebrates the dreams and aspirations of South Africans. As in most soaps - rivalry, treachery and blackmail between siblings, friends and foes alike are common. Suspense, intrigue and tension are the order of the day as the plot unfolds and romance influences relationships between warring parties. Its just the reality of the present generation's lifestyle, where conflicts are ubiquitous and endless. With themes of witchcraft and magic, it includes African influences.

The previous Generations was the most viewed soapie on South Africa television throughout its run, with over seven million viewers. However, after being rebranded as Generations: The Legacy, ratings dropped to three million viewers. However, after a few weeks back on air the viewership improved once again with the show occupying 60.2% of the market share during the 20:00 timeslot.

Generations is the first TV series in South Africa to partner with real corporations and companies to advertise their products and services on the TV series. This was done in a manner where these partners were included in some part of the scripts. This has already happen with three South African companies i.e. Pep Stores, Capitec Bank and Smart Gym.

In 2008, the show's producer Mfundi Vundla snubbed the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) by rejecting any nomination for the soapie and its cast. Vundla has apparently taken the fight back to SAFTA, who had snubbed him by not having a single winner from Generations the previous year despite the fact that it was, in his opinion, the best soapie on local television and allegedly boasts some of the best actors in the country.

In a letter addressed to his staff, Vundla reportedly requested that they do not attend the awards function "to avoid creating the impression that Generations in any way supports SAFTA." Vundla also criticized the judging procedure for not being properly administered or transparent and said politics influenced the adjudication process. He also complained that certain nominations were "inaccurate or simply absurd".

Vundla has been accused of advertising the use of witchcraft and adultery during the course of the show.

The show has had changes in the opening sequence, including to the title music of the show. The 2007 change from the original Jonas Gwangwa composition, followed by Mandla "Spikiri" Mofokeng's theme music. Before the introduction of Generations: The Legacy, the title music was by Trevor Jones. The theme song for Generations: The Legacy was composed by Jonas Gwangwa and Claude Gombard (stage-name Claude King). It was recorded and mixed by Claude Gombard at his Claude King Media Productions recording studio in Johannesburg, during the month of November, 2014. Jonas Gwangwa is featured on trombone and Claude Gombard on guitar, in the piece, which is titled Nomakanjani (meaning "anything and everything").

Up until 2020, Generations aired in Jamaica, on Television Jamaica (TVJ), which was four years behind in episodes. Four episodes were aired on Sundays back to back at 1:00pm local time and repeated on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:30am and 12:30pm local time (one episode for each day).[11]

Generations premiered in India on eIndia which broadcast on Mondays - Fridays at 20:30, from 15 February 2012.

The cast members of Generations before its hiatus in 2014 were; In 2005, the actress Precious Simelane who played the role 'Zanele Bhengu' died and in 2021 the actor Menzi Ngubane, who played the role of Sibusiso Dlomo also died.

• Generations at TVSA