Get ready for a workplace comedy that’s as uniquely South African as a braai on a Saturday afternoon—because Die Kantoor, the Afrikaans adaptation of the global phenomenon The Office, is finally here. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the original series was set in a paper company, this version swaps staplers for sausages, relocating the action to a polony factory. Yes, polony. And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just a random choice. As director and writer Bennie Fourie explains, ‘South Africa is a proud meat-consuming nation, but polony? It’s the pink elephant in the room.’ Bold move? Absolutely. But it’s this kind of local flavor that makes Die Kantoor more than just a translation—it’s a reimagining.
Premiering on Showmax on January 20, with a sneak peek on kykNET two days earlier, this adaptation marks the 14th international take on the BBC Studios format. Fourie, a SAFTA and Silwerskerm winner, calls it ‘a massive honor’ and admits, ‘After 10 years of mastering the mockumentary genre, this feels like the perfect time.’ But don’t expect a carbon copy of the U.K. or U.S. versions. ‘South Africa is neither,’ Fourie insists, ‘and we wanted to reflect that.’
The cast is a who’s-who of South African talent, led by Albert Pretorius (2025 Fleur du Cap winner) as Flip, the office manager who’s convinced this documentary is his ticket to greatness. Think Michael Scott meets local braai banter. The ensemble includes heavyweights like Schalk Bezuidenhout, Lida Botha, and Ilse Oppelt, alongside fresh faces like Gert du Plessis. Produced by Rapid Blue (part of BBC Studios) and with global sales handled by BBC Studios, this Showmax Original is a full-circle moment for the platform, whose first original series was also a mockumentary.
Here’s the kicker: While the original British series (created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant) and its U.S. counterpart (a five-time Emmy winner) set the bar high, Die Kantoor isn’t just riding their coattails. It’s asking: Can a polony factory capture the same cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud magic? And more importantly, does South Africa’s unique humor translate to this iconic format? Let’s just say, after the Listeriosis outbreak, polony jokes are riskier than ever. But that’s what makes this adaptation so daring—and so worth watching.
So, what do you think? Will Die Kantoor hit the mark, or is polony just too pink for prime-time? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to sizzle.
