Mornings on VOC during the month of Ramadan have been sounding a bit different lately with the daily shenanigans of the Kassim household. Since the launch of the new drama-comedy on the first day of Ramadan on Thursday, the series has been well received by VOC listeners with daily calls for the next episode.

For Ramadan this year, VOC staff wanted to do something different and decided to test their acting chops in a unique radio dramedy (drama-comedy) called Keeping Up with the Kassims, produced by new staffer Najma Bibi-Noor Mahomed. The series is set at the family’s breakfast/suhoor table, where much of the colourful discussion takes place.

“The aim of the series is to give our listeners a visual into the life of a normal, loving, Malay-Indian Muslim family, who like any family, can squabble a lot. Let’s face it we all enjoy soapies or series, so this segment is aimed at tackling Ramadan and other issues in a family orientated situation,” says Mahomed.

“The response from listeners has been phenomenal. It’s really been a team effort and everyone has had so much fun instudio.”

The series has a strong focus on family values and Islamic morals and also provides a social commentary on current affairs. Mahomed, originally from Durban, says she was inspired by the idea when she visited her family home a month back.

“I found myself cleaning salad and as I sat at the table I overheard my father, uncle and grandfather get into this deep discussion about soccer which shifted swiftly to current affairs. They began speaking about the earthquake in Nepal. They were speaking about statistics and linked this to Islam and how the earthquake ideally is the fate of those that worship idols. That got me thinking, that men don’t just speak about sports, other relative matters affect them to,” she says.

“Similarly ladies are not all “she bought a new bag I need to get one too”. Our women are very in touch with what’s happening in their communities and the world. And this is what family is about…proof that education starts at home.”

The Kassims consists of six family members – the father, mother, son and three daughters. Each child is different in their own way, which makes for interesting mornings at the suhoor table.

“Along the way we introduce other characters, like Mr Kassim’s Indian mother as he is Indian. We also see how she clashes with Mrs Kassims Cape Malay mother. As the fun unfolds we witness a range of exciting discussions that grips you because we learn that the Kassims as a family can take on any topic and chew at it at the suhoor table and still manage to let you digest good from it,” says Mahomed.

The series airs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8.20am in In the Fast Lane, the morning breakfast show.

To listen to the first two episodes, click on these links:

Episode 1: http://iono.fm/e/183731?autoplay=1

Episode 2: http://iono.fm/e/184028?autoplay=1

Episode 3: http://iono.fm/e/185179?autoplay=1

Episode 4: http://iono.fm/e/185971?autoplay=1

Episode 5: http://iono.fm/e/186270?autoplay=1