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The Kingdom – uKhakhayi
e.tv (DStv channel 194)
eHD (OpenView HD channel 104)
Tuesday, 9.05pm
3/5
E.tv’s newest drama plays out in rural KZN among members of a royal family. Amanda Sono visits the set and watches the first episode
It’s a battle for the throne on e.tv’s new rural drama, The Kingdom – uKhakhayi, which premiered last week.
Created by not-for-profit organisation Ingomso Film Skills and Youth Development, the series explores the “customs and inner workings of African royalty”.
It tells the story of the royal amaBhaca nation, whose chief has died. Now the kingdom is led by the ruthless Chief Jezebomvu.
His quest for power leaves the family divided into two camps, his opposition led by the matriarch of the house, MaZulu.
When City Press arrived on location in KwaNgcolosi in lush, rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the crew was hard at work. We were introduced to the cast, which includes Mncedisi Shabangu, Melusi Yeni, Tumi Ngumla, the legendary Nomsa Xaba and Noxolo Maqashalala.
The cast was not all black, as one might expect. There are also film actor Rod Alexander and Marietjie Bothma, the latter popularly known for speaking isiZulu on a King Pie advert – and yes, she acts in isiZulu in the drama.
We were hosted by actor Dumisani Mbebe, the co-founder of the production house and one of the show’s producers. Of course, most people expect a Zulu royal drama to have something to do with Shaka Zulu, but he dismissed the expectation.
“The Kingdom – Ukhakhayi is about the battle for the throne within the amaBhaca nation as a kingdom ... Shaka Zulu was about conquering other nations.”
The moment Shabangu – who plays Jezebomvu – started talking, he had the press giggling with his outrageous sense of humour.
Yeni arrived wearing shades, which he never took off, even indoors. Asked about his role as Sabelo, he replied: “There’s a newspaper that wrote that Melusi Yeni is a drunkard ... I didn’t know that I drink, but Sabelo does. Now you will get what you’ve always wanted – on screen.”
The popular cast is sure to delight viewers. Watch out for radio personality Putco Mafani, who has a small role.
KZN has become home to several dramas, and rural settings have come to the fore. After the success of Matatiele, says e.tv boss Monde Twala, “it felt natural to bring another rural drama that speaks to a broader cultural narrative”.
So what is the show like?
Directed by award-winner Zuko Nodada, the first episode of The Kingdom – uKhakhayi starts off with a black-and-white flashback. It’s 1981 and the amaBhaca chief is still alive. We learn of the tensions that will later split the family and viewers are left intrigued.
But when we switch to the present, the plot becomes confusing, trying to introduce too many characters and stories at once.
I struggled to follow at times. But first episodes are often like that and, as it settled in, it became more and more entertaining and engaging.
Introducing spiritual and mythical elements, it ended on a cliffhanger, with things looking better for episode two.
*Sono was a guest of e.tv
