DSTV premieres controversial R-Kelly docu-series

Surviving R-Kelly has been a hot and controversial topic on and off social media over the past few weeks.  The six-part docu-series details the scandals that have followed the singer for decades and sheds light on the allegations raised against R-Kelly as scores of women retell details of abuse by the singer – presenting a shift which sees victims rise up speak out on abuse.

The series finally hit SA screens as it premiered on the Crime and Investigation channel on DStv following an exclusive preview of the first two episodes on 31 January at Multichoice City. The docu-series started with two episodes, which will be followed by one episode each week until 6 March.

“It’s important for broadcasters and channels to air content like this because it’s not one-sided it’s incredibly objective and it’s pushing agendas that happens to us every day of our lives,” said emcee for the event, Rosie Motene.

Motene said Surviving R-Kelly was not only relevant to SA but the whole world as it recalls the familiarity of the abuses faced by women and young girls all over the world.

“I think it’s incredibly imperative because R-Kelly is one, but he is one out of a million,” she said.

The series has been hailed for its challenge against the structures and ideologies which allow the abuses to prevail – presenting a head-on fight against patriarchy through giving a platform for survivors and people from R. Kelly’s inner circle to tell their side of the story on alleged abuse, predatory behaviour, and paedophilia. The series features more than 50 interviews including musicians John Legend, Sparkle, Wendy Williams, and R-Kelly’s ex-wife, Andrea Kelly.

“It’s very relevant because we’re at a shift where we need to change our ideologies. We need to change the way think, perceive and also how we interact with this,” Motene said.