Top South Africa drama halted over coronavirus

A popular South African drama series has stopped production after a crew member came into direct contact with a relative who had tested positive for coronavirus.

Skeem Saam (township slang for “my best friend”), now in its eighth season, is the country’s second most-watched show with 9.5 million viewers, according to data released by the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa.

The show examines the plight of today’s male children and how they deal with issues like masculinity, relationships and the challenges they face transitioning into manhood.

Skeem Saam received praises last week from fans who said one of the character's storylines would give many young gay men a voice.

The character revealed to his parents that he was gay and his strict father embraced and accepted him for who he was, rather than disown him as might have been expected.

Father of the year goes to this guy@SkeemSaam3 #Clement #GayPrideMonth pic.twitter.com/0vs9eH4ov4

— Black Rapunzel ???????????? (@Refilwe52502737) June 12, 2020

More than 1,200 people have died from coronavirus on South Africa and there have been over 55,000 confirmed cases.