Hold on to your staplers! The hit mockumentary series, The Office, is coming to South Africa, but this time in Afrikaans.

Showmax and BBC Studios announced a new partnership to bring an adaptation of the iconic comedy, which has entertained audiences for over 20 years, to Showmax.

Production is set to kick off in 2025, and will premiere on Showmax and kykNET. Managing director of Rapid Blue, Ziyanda Ngcaba, says she is excited to bring the silly antics of the show to South Africa. Rapid Blue is the local production company bringing the South African adaptation to life.

“We are proud to be producing the first African version of The Office. The format is globally recognised and adored by audiences all over the world.”

For those living under a rock, The Office was created by comedy legends, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant in 2001. The show gives viewers a front-row seat to the painfully relatable world of office life, filled with clueless bosses, oddball co-workers, and way too many uncomfortable meetings.

It’s been adapted in countries like Australia, France, Canada, Israel, and India, showing that awkward humour truly knows no borders. The US version of the show is most widely recognised. In it comedy actor, Steve Carrel, is the “world’s best boss” of the Dunder Mifflin paper company.

Showmax’s acting head of content, Nicola van Niekerk, reflected on the company’s previous successes with original shows of a similar nature.

“Our very first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, Tali’s Wedding Diary, so it’s super exciting to now reimagine the world’s most iconic mockumentary.”

The Office US was a hit when it dropped on Showmax earlier this year, making it to the platform’s top five international series.

“We know our audience will love our own hyperlocal version.”

IN THE MEANTIME: Catch up on Seasons 1-9 of The Office US on Showmax. 

So, what can we expect from this South African The Office?

All the familiar elements: a clueless boss, quirky colleagues, and plenty of those gloriously awkward silences that make you want to look away. But with a local twist! Think office braais, Afrikaans slang, and regional humour, that’ll have you laughing out loud.

Will the South African boss be as clueless as Michael Scott? Will there be an Afrikaans Dwight? Only time will tell.

Get ready, South Africa—the most awkward office in the world is moving in!

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