• Tiek Tok Boem! takes a look at the chaotic, often disturbing side of Afrikaans TikTok.
• Creators like Amelda Claasen (Queen Amelda) and Christiaan Otto (Christiaan met 2 A’s) are set to feature in the 90 minute documentary.
• These creators earn thousands of Rands every week by stirring drama and receiving donations while live on TikTok.

We love wiling the hours away scrolling through TikTok. If you are a South African who does the same you may recognise names like Amelda Claasen (Queen Amelda) and Christiaan Otto (Christiaan met 2 A’s).

These are just two names in a side of TikTok that is fuelled by drama, screaming matches and cyberbullying. At times the happenings in this community are so jarring it’s impossible to look away and so, Showmax is making a documentary about the community.

Tiek Tok Boem! is that documentary and it arrives on the streaming platform later this month.

“Tiek Tok Boem! explores how TikTok has transformed their lives, lined their pockets, and driven some of them to the edge,” says creator of the documentary Rian van Heerden. “We met people earning thousands of Rands per week going live on TikTok – after TikTok takes its cut. It’s raining money out there on social media.”

South Africa’s options for earning money on TikTok are very limited. One of the best ways to make money for many is through livestreams where viewers can send digital gifts. TikTok takes a substantial portion of these gifts which simply encourages creators to farm more viewers to make up for the losses.

It appears however, as if these creators have become the local version of lolcows – creators that trolls and malcious individuals poke and prod to illicit a reaction.

These streams are often filled with people fuelling tensions and stoking the fires of rage all in hopes of getting a reaction. The folks watching these streams aren’t friendly toward the creators either with them raining abuse down on these individuals in what Van Heerden describes as an “inhuman” way.

Tiek Tok Boem! is likely to be a tough 90 minute watch when it lands on Showmax on 18th February.

In the mean time, checkout Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy which arrives on Showmax on Friday. If that’s not your style, there is a wealth of new content arriving on the platform this February. Hit the link below to find out more.