Gazlam - South Africa

At the start of the series Portia and her boyfriend Jimi (Siyabonga Twala) are cautiously pursuing their relationship. Although Jimi is supportive and encourages Portia to live positively, he tries too hard to 'be nice' to his HIV-positive girlfriend and overcompensates.

Meanwhile, GP has a relationship of his own - a young schoolgirl named Jabulile (Stephina Zwane). Although GP initially treats Jabulile as just one of his women, he starts getting more and more attached to her, an emotional connection he won't readily admit to. But before he can be straight with Jabulile about his condition, GP has to learn to be straight with himself, and we see his journey from a state of denial to acceptance and self-awareness.

At the end of series one, Sifiso (Siyabonga Shibe) had not only successfully made the transition from rural KZN to the fast lane of Jozi, but in the process discarded the love of his life, Khetiwe (Mbali Ntuli) and started a relationship with the sexy young singer, Lerato (Thembi Seete). Khetiwe was left standing on a street corner in Hillbrow, undecided about her future in the city.

Through exploring the mechanics of the relationships between the characters, the drama reflects some of South Africa's key social issues. Central to the story are recurring themes of dreams and material aspirations; male and female identities and expectations; sexual negotiations and betrayal; conflicts between 'tradition' and modernity; and dealing with death. For example,

• Identity – Does where you come from determine who you are?
  Sifiso faces the urban/rural divide when he arrives in Johannesburg. He is confronted with an environment that impacts on his values and morals. Will he be able to withstand the demands of an urban society and how will it impact on his identity?
• Love: What is a loving relationship?
  In the beginning, Khetiwe and Sifiso have a young and idealised love relationship. They are able to dream together, communicate their needs, and negotiate their sexual interactions. They are both able to stand up to the expectations of their community and they have found kindred spirits in each other. Their love is challenged, however, when Khetiwe agrees to her father's wishes that she marry the chief.
• Safe Sex: Alcohol – how does it contribute to unsafe sex?
  Portia is usually very cautious about sex and relationships and hasn't been involved with anyone for more than a year. But she goes out with Thuli and gets drunk at the club. Then she does something she has never done before – she has a one-night stand with GP - without using a condom. The next morning she is horrified. She vaguely remembers taking out a condom but does not know if he used it or not. She gets the morning-after pill but decides not to have an HIV test.
• HIV/AIDS: Dealing with your status
  GP believes that women are objects for sexual gratification. We never see in him in a permanent relationship with a woman and after finding out that he might be HIV positive, he is a solitary and confused figure. When Portia tells GP that she is HIV-positive and implies that she got it from him, he becomes furious and she has to be rescued. He chooses not to go for an AIDS test. Instead, in a mixture of anger, denial, helplessness, and revenge he goes out to find someone to have sex with but at the last moment, he can't go through with it. The state of denial is something he will come to terms with in the second series.

Development Issues
HIV/AIDS, Youth.

The series aims to provoke discussion on a number of themes that affect young people. Organisers say the series is used to create debate and discussion about different social related themes in radio, print, and television. They believe open talk can change the world."Our mission is to provoke discussion and reflection through a compelling drama with credible characters that captures the lives of young people in a contemporary urban setting."