September is looking particularly good for viewers who like their television close to home, with new local dramas, documentaries, reality shows and a strong showcase of South African filmmaking arriving across M-Net, kykNET and Mzansi Wethu.
From a deep dive into why some South Africans would rather back the All Blacks than the Springboks to a new drama about motherhood, here are some of the local stories worth adding to your watchlist.
New kykNET drama puts motherhood under the microscope
"Sy, die Meeue en die Heilige Gees" arrives on September 22 at 8pm, following Ingrid, a single mother raising her six-year-old daughter while dealing with questions of identity, faith and redemption.
Simone Nortman plays Ingrid, with Mila-Sofi Clasen, Evan Hengst, Ira Blanckenberg, Marion Holm and Albert Pretorius also joining the cast.
The three-part drama puts motherhood at the centre of the story, but it is also concerned with what happens when a person's beliefs and sense of identity are put under pressure. That makes it a rather different proposition from the usual glossy family drama.
"Die Bom" digs into a nuclear secret
"Die Bom" starts on September 23 at 8pm on kykNET, looking at the story of South Africa's former nuclear weapons programme.
South Africa remains the only country to have developed its own nuclear bombs and then voluntarily dismantled them, which makes this a particularly strange chapter of our history.
The documentary, presented by journalist and filmmaker Pieter Steyn, looks at how the weapons programme was developed in secret and what led to its dismantling. It also examines the country's nuclear legacy, from Koeberg Nuclear Power Station to the waste stored in Namaqualand.
Academics, former officials and other experts feature in the series, which also raises questions about what happened to the highly enriched uranium used in the weapons programme and traces of radioactivity found in Australian sheep.
Silwerskerm brings local short films to television
If you missed this year's kykNET Silwerskermfees in Camps Bay, there are still two chances to catch some of the festival's short films on television.
The 2026 festival featured 22 films, including 17 shorts and five documentary shorts, with emerging filmmakers receiving funding and mentorship to develop their work.
"Die Gees Agter die Spiere" airs on September 20 at 8.30pm, followed by "Druk Dit!" on September 27 at 8.30pm, both on kykNET and DStv Stream.
"Die Gees Agter die Spiere" looks at the world of sports psychology, while "Druk Dit!" turns the camera on arm wrestling and the close-knit community around the sport.
Mzansi Wethu turns up the family drama
Mzansi Wethu has several new local stories arriving this month. "The Next Verse" starts on September 27, bringing young South African creatives together with older family and community voices to create original music across generations.
"Umhlaba Wezifiso" arrives on September 21, a 120-episode isiZulu-localised telenovela about Aline, who fights to protect her murdered husband’s land from a ruthless rival while navigating a complicated love story.
There is also more Mseleku family drama on the way with "#Uncut: Uthando Nes'thembu", beginning on September 22.
The special includes previously unseen footage and raw conversations involving Musa Mseleku, his wives and their family. The franchise is already in its ninth season, so viewers hardly need an introduction to this particular family’s ability to keep the conversation going. "#Uncut: Uthando Nes'thembu" begins on September 22 at 8.30pm.
"Amanzi Endlini" joins the schedule on September 25 at 8.30pm, following a married couple whose decision to pursue surrogacy puts their relationship under pressure.
Mzansi Wethu is also bringing back "Shaka iLembe" for its second season on September 21 at 8.30pm, alongside "Umkhokha: The Curse" at 7.30pm, a prequel exploring the history of two families.
"Adulting" returns on September 23 at 8.30pm, while "Konakele Kithi" season two starts on September 21 at 7pm. "Imboni Yamatekisi" season three begins on September 22 at 7pm, while "Izingane Zesthembu" season three starts on September 24 at 7pm.
For reality fans, "I Blew It" returns for a seventh season on September 23 at 7pm, while "Date My Family" is back for season 13 on September 27 at 7.30pm.
New dating reality show "Mageza Wants a Wife" starts on September 27 at 8pm, following a Soweto taxi driver looking for love among 10 hopefuls, while "Giants" season two is also scheduled for the month.
M-Net has some new international contenders
M-Net is not leaving the international drama behind. "This City Is Ours" is a new British crime drama about a family caught up in organised crime, premiering on September 22 at 9pm, while "Amadeus" arrives on September 23 at 9pm, revisiting the young Mozart and his ambitions and rivalries in 18th-century Vienna.
"The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins" starts on September 18 at 6pm, following a disgraced former football star attempting to rebuild his life, while "Allegiance" returns for season three on 17 September at 7pm, with a rookie police officer trying to clear her father’s name.
"The Hunting Party" is also back for season two from September 22 at 8pm, following a team hunting escaped serial killers.
True-crime documentary "Essex Murders: Who Killed Goldfinger" premieres on 12 September at 9pm, investigating the murder of gangster John Palmer and his links to the Brink’s-Mat gold heist.
And for the big television night...
M-Net will carry the 78th Emmy Awards live on 15 September, with Mariska Hargitay taking the hosting duties. She is the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years.
There is also Baz Luhrmann’s "Elvis, Reimagined" on 30 September, bringing his distinctive visual style to archival footage of Elvis Presley in concert.
Meanwhile, returning favourites across kykNET include "Suidooster", "Binnelanders", "Diepe Waters", "Skemergrond" and "Boer Soek 'n Vrou" season 18.
So while the international stars will still get their screen time, September’s strongest offering comes from closer to home and there is plenty to choose from.