INKABA

Mzansi Magic’s first homegrown telenovela, Inkaba, will hit local screens in March and features big name South African actors.

Last week the channel announced that legendary thespian John Kani will act as producer and play one of the lead characters. Mzansi Magic confirms that the cross-generational cast also includes revered internationally and locally acclaimed screen and stage veterans Nakedi Ribane and Ernest Ndlovu. These actors, as well as relative newcomer, Nompilo Gwala, feature in the first leg of a massive marketing campaign, launching on Mzansi Magic and other channels on DStv this week.

Lebone Maema, Channel Head: Mzansi Magic, says Inkaba is the biggest production the channel has undertaken to date. “The authentic South African storyline, meaty characters and great scripts have secured the participation of some of the biggest names in the industry – both on-screen and behind the scenes. We are immensely excited about Inkaba – it has all the ingredients to ensure that pay-television viewers make a regular date with Mzansi Magic.”

Inkaba is set in the glamorous but fickle South African fashion industry and will depict South Africa’s rich social landscape that includes the very rich and powerful, the upwardly striving middle-class and the struggling poor. John Kani is the fierce patriarch whose home in Westcliff, Johannesburg, harbours a myriad of secrets, lies and fear behind the veil of power and pride. In his illustrious career, Kani has scooped international Tony and Obie awards.

Inkaba launches on March 19 and will be broadcast Monday to Thursday at 20h30, only on Mzansi Magic. Unlike soaps, this long-running television format has a clear beginning, middle and ending.