More thrills to come from high-riding Uzalo

After claiming the bragging rights as the most watched TV drama in the country, Uzalo producers are not resting on their laurels.

Uzalo has set a new viewership record with the second episode of its recent wedding story line. That episode reached 10.2 million viewers – a new record-high for South African television history.

“We have a lot planned for the next few months. We are not going to give viewers a chance to catch their breath. Like they say, keep watching this space,” said executive producer Mmamitse Thibedi.

She revealed that the secrets behind the show’s success were its authentic, gripping story lines and relatable characters.

“We have selected a mix of seasoned professionals and undiscovered actors as our onscreen talent. The results have been rewarding and very affirming.”

The scene that stole viewers’ hearts was the wedding ceremony involving onscreen tension between MaNgcobo (played by Dawn Thandeka King) and her one-time bestie MaMlambo (played by Gugu Gumede), both of whom delivered unforgettable entertainment value.

The character of Nkunzi (played by Masoja Msiza) is hugely popular, and having him stuck between these two strong women created huge onscreen tension.

Thibedi said they believed that the love-triangle storyline and the build-up to the episode worked well together to keep audiences glued to the show and coming back for more.

“Everyone loves a cleverly executed cliffhanger, and the moment that MaNgcobo charged into the church angrily wielding her gun was definitely one for the books,” she said.

This particular wedding scene has cost the production a fortune – from the lavish location in Ballito to the interior set and sophisticated wedding gowns.

However, Thibedi would not divulge the cost.

“We wanted a location that could give us a backdrop of KwaZulu-Natal magic but also spacious, beautifully themed interiors. We looked at several popular locations around the Durban area and in Ballito, some with the ocean as a backdrop.

“We eventually settled for our location because it hit the mark creatively and logistically.”

Uzalo, set in KwaMashu and produced by Stained Glass Pictures, has remained the most watched TV show on SABC 1 for more than a year now.

And Thibedi said their aim was to maintain the top spot.

“We will continue to do what we have always done – we will challenge one another to deliver quality storylines, recruit strong onscreen talent and match the cast up with content they will relish working on.”