Entabeni is a South African mini-series created by Norman Maake as part of the SABC1 "Shakespeare in Mzansi" strand, a collection of mini-series which contemporise various works of Shakespeare into a South African context.
Entabeni is a retelling of the classic play Macbeth. It was the first of six mini-series in the strand. The others are Izingane zoBaba (King Lear), uGugu no Andile (Romeo and Juliet), Death of a Queen (also Macbeth), Forced Love (The Taming of the Shrew) and Dream World (A Misummer Night's Dream).
Entabeni originally aired on SABC1 from 11 March to 15 April, 2008, on Tuesdays at 20h30. There are six half-hour episodes in the series. There have been various rebroadcasts - see "Seasons" below for details.
Synopsis
Set in Johannesburg, South Africa we enter the world of black business in its most premiere form. Within this world, we follow the rapid rise and downfall of Kumkani, a talented, fearless, young prodigy in the world of investment banking.
Loved, admired as well as feared by all, Kumkani is what everyone wishes to be. Young, rich, gifted, powerful, with an incredibly bright future, and married to the most beautiful woman in all Southern Africa.
Furthermore he has just landed the biggest contract for Entabeni Security Holdings, a major company owned by his distant and beloved cousin Matthews. And most importantly he has done so almost single-handedly.
The story begins at the peak of this young man’s amazing life which has captured the attention of the world including a mysterious old, homeless woman who decides to cross paths with him at an intersection in Jo’burg on his return from overseas.
As Kumkani and his colleague, Senzo, head for the reception at the office in a limo, they hit a red traffic light at the intersection and cross paths with the strange homeless woman.
Upon seeing Kumkani she immediately shouts praises, naming him "Kumkani the famous investment banker"; "Kumkani the President of Khulani Bank"; and "Kumkani, CEO of Entabeni". She adds that Senzo himself will be the father of a line of CEOs running Entabeni.
Both men brush her off but when they arrive at the reception Matthews’ son, James informs them that Khulani Bank, Entabeni's biggest rival, has been bought out by them. He and the board of directors decide to appoint Kumkani as President of Khulani Bank.
Kumkani and Sipho are stunned by the turn of events, realising that the old woman was right about one facet of the prophecy. Kumkani cannot help but focus on her other, greater prediction that he will be CEO.
Credits
Producer
Lineo Sekeleoane
Director and Writer
Norman Maake
Episode Synopses
Episodes 1 - 6
Seasons
Series exclusive to SABC1. Rebroadcast dates included.
Season 1 (6 episodes)
Premiere: 11 March 2008 | Finale: 15 April 2008 | Tuesdays, 20h30
Premiere: 1 July 2009 | Finale: 5 August 2009 | Wednesdays, 20h30
Premiere: 25 November 2013 | Finale: 30 December 2013 | Mondays, 20h30