(Keandre
Brahim, Sashica Ramlutch, Minnie Ntuli & Jason Mccall)
Ever asked yourself the age-old question of
“where did I come from?” and “how did my family end up living in South Africa?”
This April, the HISTORY Channel on DStv 186
has your back, with a look at the dynamics of researching your genealogical
line in South Africa.
The brand-new once-off local documentary
special Your People My People takes
four South African strangers on a quest to trace their ancestry and discover
the science and history behind DNA testing which ultimately shaped who they
are. One will be blindsided, while for another the result will expose
surprising links to an historical global figure.
(Right: Les
Aupiais & Pat Pillai)
The locally-produced show, hosted by
renowned news and TV personality Pat Pillai and magazine editor Les Aupiais, is
a journey of discovery using science to reveal the history of four ordinary
South Africans: radio personalities Minnie Ntuli and Jason Mccall together with
Sashica Ramlutch and Keandre Brahim.
The four travel to places and spaces in
history and participate in activities based on their gene pool. From an
emotional re-enactment of the Battle of Blood River, to spending a sun-beaten
day as indentured labourers, they learn as much about themselves as they do
each other.
Your
People My People is about a group of South Africans
that journey into the past based on the results of a DNA test that maps their
identity,” says producer Julie Laurenz.
“They are really hoping to dig up the truth about their ancestry, why
their families ended up in Southern Africa and how their story fits into
history.”
This once off special airs on April 19,
2020, at 20h15 and will inspire HISTORY viewers to embark on their own journey
of self-discovery.
Also new to HISTORY is the Rise of Extremism Stunt featuring
premiere documentaries every Saturday at 20h15. It kicks off on April 4, 2020,
with ISIS: The Rise of Terror, which
delves behind the origins of the Islamic State, what they want to achieve, and
how their shocking and violent tactics have redefined warfare in the 21st
century. Focusing on fateful turning points in history, this documentary looks
at amongst others; America’s eight-year war in Iraq and the unrepentant ISIS
fighter who justifies beheadings.
This is followed on April 11, 2020, by White Supremacy: Going Under, which
tells the extraordinary stories of three people who infiltrated white hate
groups in an effort to bring them down from the inside. These individuals
unknowingly become part of fighting something far larger – the fight against
the tight network of American white supremacy groups that is growing bolder and
stronger every day.
Divided
States on April 18, 2020, is a mini-series that
documents the blatant acts of anti-Semitism, homophobia and racism which appear
to be on the rise in America. Against the backdrop of the current state of hate
in America, the channel will find and explore the lives of characters who have
experienced hate in their own lives and have emerged from that experience
transformed to spread a positive message.
The look at extremism will culminate on May
2, 2020, with America On Fire, where
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Charlie Leduff goes deep inside the American
militia movement to uncover their roots, motivations and goals, in an
increasingly polarized world.
In this challenging time of social
distancing, HISTORY DStv 186 remains committed to bringing viewers the best in
storytelling with local commissions, documentaries, factual re-enactments,
award-winning specials and series.
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