kykNET’s channels bring new things for a new year. A quest for love is on again in the new season of Op my eish!, and Rian van Heerden tries to find out whether America truly offers a safe haven in the documentary series Beloofde land. Bobby van Jaarsveld and Brendan Peyper also leap across “the big pond” for an American journey in Ander dam se eende. And that’s just a taste of the feast of what to watch on kykNET this January entertainment to come.
Here are 8 shows to look forward to this month of January on kykNet.
Een keer om die son|Tuesdays at 8PM on kykNET
The drama series Een keer om die son was a massive hit with viewers in 2024. The good news is that the Van Wyks are taking us for another orbit around the sun when the new season begins on kykNET. The second season of Een keer om die son kicks off on New Year’s Day, but this time not all of the Van Wyks are together to celebrate. Life has taken its course, and each faces their own challenges – not only on the first day of the year, but for the rest of the year as well. These challenges range from finding acceptance and embracing second chances, addiction and life-changing medical issues, to each person’s search for their place within the family circle.
Jacques Bessenger returns as Dr Ruan van Wyk, a neurologist who sometimes places his work ahead of other priorities. Jana Kruger is Lani van Wyk, who died in the first season and whose death left more questions than answers. Lani returns in flashbacks in season 2. Ruan and Lani’s children are Markus (Liam Bosman), Leandri (Alma van Heerden) and Sophia (Klara van Zyl) – and in season 2, each faces a challenge in their path. Albert Maritz plays Sebastian, the retired professor of entomology, and Joanie Combrink is Elma, the Van Wyk matriarch who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in season 1.
Op my eish!|Thursdays at 8PM on kykNET
Former professional rugby player Ruan Smith is putting his heart on the line in the hope of meeting someone with whom he can build a future. It promises to be a season full of surprises, real connections and unforgettable moments. From hundreds of applications, Ruan selected 16 women to meet him in person. Ultimately, he can only take 12 women on the journey with him. This complication causes even more tension, emotion and unexpected moments.
In previous seasons, the two wildcards always appeared in the same episode, but this time they show up out of the blue – exactly when Ruan least expects it. Their arrival not only sparks tension among the women but also leads to some tough decisions that impact the course of this season. This season is full of exciting challenges and activities, with two activities in each episode keeping both the women and Ruan on their toes. Highlights include ziplining, a game of Spot the Difference with Ruan and JP, a lively touch rugby session, a bushveld safari as a romantic date, e-biking and even a maze challenge where the women had to find Ruan.
Beloofde land|Wednesdays at 8PM on kykNET
Is the United States of America truly the land of hope and opportunity or simply the next destination for people searching for stability, safety and a sense of belonging? In Beloofde land, a brand-new six-part documentary series airing on kykNET (DStv Channel 144), acclaimed broadcaster and filmmaker Rian van Heerden travels across South Africa and the USA to explore this complex and polarising issue from fresh, deeply human angles.
The series examines the lives of South Africans who are considering or have already made the move to America. It reveals how emigration reshapes identity, family structures, finances, community ties, emotional wellbeing and long-term views of the future. Rian and his team gained rare, exclusive access to individuals and communities who seldom agree to share their stories on camera. Through honest conversations, thorough investigations and comparisons between life in the two countries, the series highlights universal themes of fear, hope, loss, isolation, survival and new beginnings over the course of six episodes.
Die kantoor|Sundays at 8PM on Showmax
An Afrikaans version of The Office begins in January on kykNET and Showmax. With, among others, Albert Pretorius, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Lida Botha and Ilse Oppelt in the cast and Bennie Fourie as director and head writer, it promises to be a hilarious hit.
It was more than 20 years ago that the world was introduced to the wonderfully bleak mockumentary world of The Office, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Metacritic lists the original British version as the best-reviewed comedy series of all time, while the American version won five Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and was the most streamed show in the world in 2020. This universal appeal has seen the Bafta– and Golden Globe-winning cult comedy remade for countries around the world, including Australia, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, India, the Middle East and Poland. The South African edition of The Office, called Die kantoor, is its 14th adaptation and was filmed primarily in Afrikaans.
Spooksoeker|Saturdays at 7:30PM on kykNET
A brand-new series, aimed at teenagers, makes its kykNET debut in January. Spooksoeker is based on the books of the same name by writer François Bloemhof and tells the story of Warno Alberts (played by Rico Immelman), an ordinary boy in an ordinary town – except now for all the ghost trouble…
Rico honed his acting skills with the ATKV Tienertoneel teenage drama competition and was the runner-up in the ATKV’s TV reality series Gekies vir die kollig. Alongside Rico, Spooksoeker boasts a talented cast, including Paul Strydom (best actor in a leading role during the 2023 ATKV-Tienertoneel final), June van Merch and Frieda van den Heever. This 13-episode series for teenagers aged 13 to 15 is produced by Jean-Pierre de Waal and Annerine Visser of Starscape Motion Pictures.
Groen Namibië|Sundays at 8:30PM on kykNET
It may have taken four years for this popular conservation series to return to kykNET, but the wait was certainly worth it. In Namibia, about 42 km east of Windhoek, Marlice van Vuuren and her husband, Dr Rudie van Vuuren, continue tirelessly with a dedicated team to make life easier for wild animals that cannot care for themselves.
Marlice grew up on the farm Harnas in eastern Namibia – a safe haven for animals in distress, similar to the rehabilitation sanctuary N/a’an ku sê where she and her husband are now involved. It was, in fact, Marlice’s mother, Marieta van der Merwe, who in 1978 rescued a monkey from almost certain death, sparking the flame that would eventually lead Marieta and her husband, Nick, to establish the cattle farm Harnas as a world-renowned sanctuary for injured animals. Viewers will, over 13 episodes, be able to immerse themselves in every situation Marlice and Rudie encounter – from the struggle to relocate rhinos and rescue elephants to wrestling with hippos to persuade them to change location. There are thrilling situations and moving scenes, but nature also always provides a good dash of humour, so there are often lighter moments too.
Overbergbewoners|Tuesdays at 9:30PM on kykNET
kykNET invites viewers on a captivating journey into one of South Africa’s most enchanting regions with Overbergbewoners – the fifth season of the SAFTA-nominated Bewoners docuseries. The breathtaking Overberg region is tucked between the Hottentots Holland Mountains, the Little Karoo and the Garden Route. Known for its rich biodiversity, rolling farmlands and deep cultural heritage, the Overberg is home to extraordinary people whose stories reflect the heart and resilience of this diverse landscape. Each episode introduces viewers to individuals whose lives capture the warm essence of the Overberg – from conservationists and artists to educators, farmers and entrepreneurs. Their stories celebrate tradition, innovation and the unbreakable bond between people and land.
Viewers will meet Gavin Petersen, a penguin ranger at Stony Point Nature Reserve; Monique Cananie, a youth leader from Villiersdorp; Neil Sandilands, acclaimed actor and Onrus local; Lizaene Cornwall, co-founder of Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary; Berene Sauls, pioneering winemaker from Tesselaarsdal; André Cloete, innovative fruit farmer near Greyton; and Uncle T Newman and his family, multi-generational fishermen from Struisbaai.
Ander dam se eende|Mondays at 9PM on kykNET
What happens when two beloved South African singers decide to explore America without any plan, itinerary or road map? Ander dam se eende shows exactly what that looks like – unpredictable, genuine, full of humour and packed with music. This 13-episode series follows Bobby van Jaarsveld and Brendan Peyper on a road trip across America in an RV – from the big-city buzz of New York to the country rhythms of Nashville, the blues soul of Memphis, and the untouched silence of the Grand Canyon. Each destination brings new people, new sounds and new discoveries that touch the two artists deeply.
It may sound like a simple tour, but the series is much more than that. Bobby and Brendan face challenges that push them out of their comfort zones: unfamiliar roads, culture clashes, sharp turns in small towns and moments of adrenaline-charged insanity – like Bobby’s 260-metre SkyJump in Las Vegas. Between the chaos and the calm, there is talking, singing, arguing, thinking, laughing – and sometimes just quiet time, taking in nature.
Fun facts from the adventure
• More than 5 500 km were covered in the USA. • They performed at more than eight different venues. • Bobby dared to do the 260-metre SkyJump from the 108th floor of The STRAT. • Brendan’s cap collection grew to more than 30. • Bobby’s favourite food: Chick-fil-A salad. • Brendan’s top choice: Taco Bell.
