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The South African audience is blessed with a variety of telenovelas and soapies. From old greats such as Generations: The Legacy, Uzalo, Skeem Saam, Umkhoka - the list goes on.
Another show looking to capture audiences' attention is Queendom, led by Linda Mtoba, Hamilton Dlamini and Sindi Dlathu.
BET held the launch for the show on Tuesday night at Kings Kraal in Bryanston.
READ: Sjava, Sindi Dlathu, Linda Mtoba to feature in new BET Africa's star-studded daily drama Queendom
Heading to the show, I asked myself, with so many local shows and plenty others on streaming services, what is different about this one? What would get people tuning in?
So, on the black carpet, I asked some of the stars the same question.
Dlathu, looking like her character on The River, Madlabantu, on a mission to burn one of her opponents, was not doing interviews, but the other actors were happy to chat.
Mtoba, who plays Ntandokayise, said the show taps a lot into what's happening in society right now.
She said:
Dlamini, who plays the role of King Banzi, said people must expect surprises. “We gave our best as far as performances are concerned. The writers! I must give credit to the writers. They gave us the best writing, which is on point. It [Queendom] unpacks how we behave as Africans. It’s going to be beautiful."
READ: Crafting characters: Sayitsheni Mdakhi's art of relatability on SA television
Sayitsheni Mdakhi, one of the co-creators of Queendom, said the show taps into the tapestry of three different worlds - Tsakane, KwaKhahlamba and Houghton.
"I think it’s the only show that will give the audience that sort of variety in terms of the story. I think the audience is going to enjoy seeing a queen meeting her destiny,” Mdakhi said.
Sihle Gcilitshana, who also stars in the show, said it was different in the sense that it centres on women. “In South Africa, that doesn’t happen often. We are often marginalised, we are undervalued. This story truly brings out the idea of women as royal, superior and in front [as leaders].”
Inside the Kraal, there was a lot of dancing, drinks were flowing and it seemed like they were all getting along.
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Monde Twala, the vice-president and general manager: Paramount Africa and lead BET International, said it was not every day one got involved in making something that "involves talking about our culture and tradition in the contemporary world we live in today".
“We all have different sides to us. There are people not here with us, but we still resonate with them purely because of projects such as Queendom,” Twala said.
The show will premiere on DSTv channel 129 on 22 April at 6.30pm.
See more the launch here:
