Mfundi Vundla has taken a dramatic step in a new direction with his production house Morula Pictures to produce an historical new series for M-Net's original production slate called House of Phalo.
It's based on the book by South African history lecturer and writer J. B. Peires and tells the story of the rise of the 18th century Xhosa king Phalo.
Morula Pictures has turned the book into a screenplay and this is what Mfundi has to say about it:
“This story is about shattering the popular narrative that the history of our people began in 1652 with the arrival of Jan Van Riebeek. There is indisputable evidence that Xhosa people have lived in the Eastern Cape since the 15th century. It’s only through systematic erasure by colonialists and Apartheid that we have lost part of this history.
It was crucial for us then to treat this drama with the care and reverence it deserves. We hope we have managed to evoke a sense of pride in our history, a better understanding of the people we are, and a clearer vision of our present and future.”
The series is currently scheduled to air on Mzansi Magic but word from M-Net is that this may change.
It's one of two ambitious new dramas being produced by M-Net as part of their local original offering this year. The other is Trackers, based on South African novelist Deon Meyer's thriller of the same name.
No premiere dates have been finalised for either yet. We'll keep you posted as more detail becomes available.