MTV Shuga producers are looking to cast fresh home-grown talent to fill a range of male and female roles in the award-winning drama series, alongside returning cast members such as South African actress Mohau Mokoatle Cele, who plays the role of Bongi in the series. As well as a number of principal roles, four minor roles will be chosen through online and on-the-ground auditions.

Open auditions for MTV Shuga will be held on Saturday, 15 October between 09:00 and 17:00 at Bassline, Newtown, Johannesburg. To be eligible to audition, you must be a South African resident between the ages of 18 and 35, with good, spoken English, and have a clean criminal record. No previous acting experience is necessary. Candidates are required to bring along a photo ID and a good quality portrait of themselves (minimum size: 7cm x 5cm). Applicants must be available for filming in Johannesburg between December 2016 and January 2017.

For the first time, acting hopefuls who can’t attend the auditions can submit a short video of themselves auditioning for the part on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #MTVShuga5. Sample scripts and details are available here. For full terms and conditions please click here.

“We are looking for real, raw talent that is going to help bring the MTV Shuga drama series alive for South Africa audiences,” says Georgia Arnold, executive director, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, “With principle photography for MTV Shuga just a few months away, and the TV show premiering across Africa in March 2017, we are hoping to provide a huge career boost for aspiring South African actors and actresses and discover some hidden talent who will play a vital role in tackling one of the country’s biggest health risks.”

Monde Twala, vice president, BET, Youth & Music, VIMN Africa, says, “MTV Base is delighted to offer this empowering opportunity for South African actors and actresses to be involved in this high-quality drama series that will resonate and make an impact with youth audiences around the globe.”

MTV Shuga is multimedia campaign and TV series that has been highlighting issues affecting young people in Africa for the last eight years. Independent research has shown that the series actively changes behaviour and attitudes to safe sex and HIV testing.

Previously filmed in Kenya and Nigeria, season five of MTV Shuga is being supported by South Africa’s Ministry of Basic Education, The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Marie Stopes International, ViiV Healthcare's Positive Action, and Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).

Set and filmed in South Africa for the first time, this season of MTV Shuga will include a new focus on storylines relevant to South African youth, including adolescent girls and their vulnerability to HIV infection and unintended pregnancy, alongside other storylines relating to sexual and emotional issues affecting young people.

MTV Shuga will premiere on MTV Base, channel 322 and BET, channel 129 on DStv as well as on other terrestrial broadcasters, other MTV networks, and third party broadcasters around the world from Wednesday, 8 March 2017. Other elements of the MTV Shuga campaign will include a radio drama series, peer educator programme, comic book, mobile information service, social media and a range of digital platforms.

For more information, visit www.mtvshuga.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram using the #MTVShuga5 hashtag.