Muvhango is a South African television soap opera, created by Duma Ndlovu. It is broadcast on the public TV channel SABC 2, and has an average of 4 million daily viewers.[1] The first episode was aired on 7 April 1997. It was the first Tshivenda language TV drama,[2] but later became multilingual in order to showcase that languages and cultures of South Africa should be used to unite rather than divide. The creator of Muvhango is Zulu by ancestry, but can speak Tshivenda and is fluent in all South African languages.[3]
| Muvhango | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Genre | Soap opera |
| Created by | Duma Ndlovu |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Jedi Mulovhedzi Sipho Nhlaka Myeni Sibongiseni Zondi Tamie Madlakana Raai Mokoena |
| Creative director | Nthabi Tau |
| Starring |
|
| Original languages | |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Duma Ndlovu |
| Producers | Herbert Hadebe Leo Phiri Malebo Mokoena |
| Running time | 24 - 26 minutes |
| Production company | Word of Mouth Pictures(current production company) Rhythm World Productions(sold to Word of Mouth) |
| Original release | |
| Network | SABC2 |
| Release | 7 April 1997 – present |
| Related | |
| Imbewu: The Seed | |
The show is built on a premise that "umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" meaning that we exist within a context. The show has strong family orientated storylines that seeks to speak to the conflict between the traditional and the modern ways. The Vhakwevho's are the custodians of the traditional side of things while the Johannesburg lot focuses on the modern ways.
In 2006 the series was nominated for the South African Film and Television Award for best soap opera.[4]
Current Cast edit
| Actor/Actress | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dingaan Khumalo | James Motsamai | Leading Role |
| Gabriel Temudzani | Chief Azwindini Mukhwevo | Leading Role |
| Seneo Mabengo | Khumo Motsamai | Leading Role |
| Maumela Mahuwa | Susan Mukwevho | Leading Role |
| David Sebe | Vho-Gizara Mukwevho | Leading Role |
| Regina Nasengani | Vho-Masindi Mukwevho | Leading Role |
| Fanele Cebekhulu | Gugu Nkosi - Zikalala | Leading Role |
| Nat Ramabulana | Tendamudzimu "Tenda" Mudau | Leading Role |
| Inocentia MaNchidi | Rendani Mukwevho | Leading Role |
| Eunice Mabeta | Vho-Makhadzi Mukwevho | Leading Role |
| Bohang Moeko | Paballo | Supporting Role |
| Kagiso Latane | Lefatse | Supporting Role |
| Azwimbavhi Rambuda | Mpho Mudau | Supporting Role |
| Humburani Tsharani | Mulimisi | Supporting Role |
| Kingsley Ramabulana | Vhangani | Supporting Role |
| Connie Sibiya | Ma-Hangwani Mukwevho | Supporting Role |
| Tebatso Mashishi | Kgosi Mulaudzi | Supporting Role |
| Wavhudi Lidzengu | Vutshilo Mukwevho | Supporting Role |
| Candy Magidimisa | Shaz | Supporting Role |
| Yolanda Bhuthelezi | Zama | Supporting Role |
Former Cast edit
| Actor/Actress | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sindi Dlathu | Thandaza Mokoena | Leading Role |
| Brian Temba | Ranthomeng Mokoena | Leading Role |
| Themba Nofemele | Leading Role | |
| Fezile Makhanya | Muzi Cele | Supporting Role |
| Phindile Gwala | Nompilo Nkosi | Supporting Role |
| Raphael Griffiths | Vusi Nkosi | Leading Role |
| Buhle Sammuels | Matshidiso Mulaudzi | Leading Role |
| Vatiswa Ndara | Modiehi Motsamai | Supporting Role |
| Senzo Radebe | Sthembiso Radebe | Supporting Role |
| Melusi Yeni | Phenyo | Supporting Role |
| Zonke Mnchunu | Imani Motsamai | Leading Role |
| Nay Maps | Tshireletso | Supporting Role |
| Liteboho Molise | Tebogo Mukhwevo | Leading Role |
Plot edit
The show is primarily set in Johannesburg and Venda. In Johannesburg, Thandaza Mokoena (Sindi Dlathu), James Motsamai (Dingaan Khumalo), Khakhathi Mulaudzi, Gugu Nkosi-Zikalala, Imani Nkosi, Hangwani Mukhwevho, Rendani Mukhwevho, their families and their colleagues deal with nepotism, drama and violence in the corporate world. In Venda, the Mukhwevho family leads the people of Thathe while there are cracks in their family. Thandaza left her business over to James the Qalabosha constructions
Cast edit
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Dingaan Khumalo | James Motsamai |
| Gabriel Temudzani | Chief Azwindini Mukhwevo |
| Sharon Sono | Marang Phala-Motsamai |
| Maumela Mahuwa | Susan Mukwevho |
| Zonke Mchunu | Imani Mokoena-Motsamai |
| David Sebe | Vho-Gizara |
| Azwimbavhi Rambuda | Mpho Mudau |
| Humburani Tsharani | Mulimisi |
| Regina Nasengani | Vho-Masindi |
| Kingsley Ramabulana | Vhangani |
| Fanele Cebekhulu | Gugu Nkosi - Zikalala |
| Nat Ramabulana | Tendamudzimu |
| Inocentia MaNchidi | Rendani Mukwevho |
| Connie Sibiya | Hangwani |
| Tebatso Mashishi | Kgosi |
| Wavhudi Lidzengu | Vutshilo Mukwevho |
| Angela Atlang | Itseng |
| Candy Magidimisa | Shaz |
| Eunice Mabeta | Vho-Makhadzi |
| Yolanda Bhuthelezi | Zama |
| Former Actors | Roles |
| Sindi Dlathu | Thandaza Mokoena |
| Brian Temba | Ranthomeng Mokoena |
| Fezile Makhanya | Muzi Cele |
| Phindile Gwala | Nonny Nkosi |
| Raphael Griffith | Vusi Nkosi |
| Buhle Sammuels | Matshidiso Mulaudzi |
| Vatiswa Ndara | Modiehi Motsamai |
| Senzo Radebe | Sthembiso Radebe |
| Melusi Yeni | Phenyo |
| Nay Maps | Tshireletso |
| Liteboho Molise | Tebogo Mukhwevo |
The Mukwevho Family, MMC and Qalabosha Constructions edit
The Mukwevho family is one of the highest royal families in Venda. Azwindini was the chief and had 4 wives (Susan, Pfuluwani, Vele and Mpho). Vho-Masindi is the Queen Mother and the Chief's mother. Vho-Makhadzi is the matriarch of the family by blood and Vho-Gizara is the younger brother of Vho-Makhadzi and is Azwindini's Royal Advisor. Vho-Makhadzi, Vho-Gizara, Vho-Borosi and Vho-Phusuphusu are siblings and their brothers Vho-Albert, Vho-Mushasha and Vho-Mashudu (Azwindini's father) all died.
Vho-Hangwani is Albert's widow and Rendani is her daughter. Hangwani and Rendani both reside in Johannesburg but go to Venda for family gatherings. Hangwani owns coffee shop Dukathole and Rendani works at the family business, MMC. Vho-Mukondeleli is Vho-Mushasha's widow and Mulalo is her grandson. Mulalo has been fighting for the throne for a long time and was even bewitched to show that he isn't entitled to the throne. In a surprising turn of events, Mulalo became the chief of Thathe.
Thandaza was the first woman from the Vha-Kwevho family to ever get a corporate job whereas Senior Royal Wife Susan chose to become a nurse in Venda. Teboho Mukwevho became the owner of a well known local restaurant but she decided to sell it. Thandaza, Susan and Teboho are the only women from the Mukwevho family who are independent and have steady jobs.
MMC
Mukwevho Mulaudzi Constructions (formerly known as Mukwevho Mojalefa Constructions) is the Mukwevho family business. Azwindini's father and his brother Albert used to travel a lot and they started a construction company in Joburg for their families in Venda. The CEO was previously Thandaza Mokoena, who was Edward Mukwevho's widow until she started her own rival business, Basadi Constructions (now called Qalabosha).
The current CEO is Gugu Nkosi-Zikalala with KK Mulaudzi as the company's majority shareholder and Tenda Mudau as the Chairperson of the board. Rendani normally acts as her family's proxy in board meetings.
Qalabosha Constructions
Renowned businesswoman Thandaza Buthelezi (played by Sindi Dlathu) left MMC with business tycoon Lerumo Mojalefa who was the company's chairperson and her close friend James Motsamai to start their own company (Basadi Constructions). However, Lerumo and Thandaza left and they left the company in James' hands. He changed the name to Qalabosha Constructions when he married Moliehi Zikalala. James is the Chairperson and CEO of Qalabosha.
References edit
- ^ "'The Wild' nominated for seven awards". Daily Dispatch. 17 February 2012. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- ^ Perkins, Kathy A. (1999). Black South African Women: An Anthology of Plays. Juta and Company. p. 142. ISBN 9781919713151.
- ^ "SABC still favours rich, urban viewers". The Times. 19 September 2004.
- ^ "Inaugural SAFTA nominees announced". Bizcommunity.com. 4 October 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2012.