Where are my 90s kids at? Today’s generation has TikTok and Reels, but back in the day, we had K-TV – a live, interactive playground of cartoons, games, competitions, and cool kids just like us on screen every afternoon. If we were lucky, Candice Hillebrand might even pop up on Simba Surprise to wake us up.
Launched on M-Net in 1990, K-TV was more than a kids’ programming block – it was a cultural phenomenon that united children across South Africa. By the time DStv launched in 1995, K-TV presenters were household names, its Playback segment introduced the latest music, and even international stars dropped by the Randburg studios. The show ruled the airwaves until it signed off in 2011 – leaving behind a generation of dreamers inspired by the magic of live television.
As DStv celebrates turning 30 by bringing back Open Time for one weekend only, we caught up with former K-TV presenter Thabang Moleya. Like fellow alum Tristan Holmes (Elalini, The Fragile King), Thabang transitioned from presenter to acclaimed filmmaker.
Now 43, he’s the co-founder of Seriti Films, director of the box office hit Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word, and the action series Professionals starring Oscar winner Brendan Fraser. As an executive producer, his fingerprints are on Mzansi Magic hits like Gomora, The Herd, and Code 13. But before the awards and the accolades, there was a young boy from Tembisa whose dreams began in front of a camera.
“No one in Tembisa believed I was on K-TV!”
“I remember the audition process clearly. There was a big open audition, and we were shortlisted from thousands of kids. I went through at least six callbacks before they finally told me I’d been selected as a K-TV presenter.”
Thabang recalls
“What’s funny is that, at home, we couldn’t afford a decoder, so we only had Open Time. So growing up in Tembisa, no one actually believed I was on K-TV! Only the families who had M-Net could see me on TV.”
Staying Connected to the K-TV Family
Even years later, Thabang remains close to several former K-TV faces.
“Since we’re in the same industry, I’ve kept in touch with Wandile Molebatsi from Coal Stove Pictures. We’ve even tried to collaborate through our companies,”.
he shares
He’s also reconnected with Heather McKenzie, Rebecca Solomons, and Jena Dover through a thriving K-TV Facebook community – proof that the spirit of the show still connects those who lived it.
How K-TV Shaped His Career
For Thabang, K-TV was more than a platform – it was a gateway to the world.
“K-TV was instrumental in opening my eyes to the industry. As a township boy from Tembisa, it was my first real exposure to the world and to endless possibilities. That experience sparked my creative direction in the arts.”
The show’s travel opportunities and constant engagement with fans across Africa left a lasting impact.
“We got to meet so many people and experience different cultures. It taught me empathy, and that translates into my directing today. I try to capture people authentically and tell their stories with care.”
From K-TV to the Big Screen
“Without K-TV, there would be no Thabang Moleya, no Seriti Films, and no Gomora or Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word,”.
he reflects
The connection between his beginnings and current success is deeply personal.
“MultiChoice will always have a special place in my heart because not only was I a breakout star on their platform, but our first breakout telenovela as Seriti Films was also with them. It feels like MultiChoice has always marked major milestones in my life. For that, I’ll always be grateful.”
A Legacy That Lives On
K-TV may be gone, but its influence lives through the storytellers, filmmakers, and creatives it inspired – people like Thabang Moleya who continue to shape South Africa’s creative landscape with passion, purpose, and authenticity.
So, where are my 90s kids at? If you remember rushing home after school to catch K-TV, you’ll know exactly what Thabang means when he says:
“It wasn’t just a show – it was where dreams began.”
