As we mentioned in the
TVSA News Shorts, BET debuts a new telenovela in April titled Queendom, as a follow-up to the channel's previous two,
Isono and
Redemption.
It premieres Monday 22 April at 18h30, with repeats at 21h30, and new episodes Mondays to Thursdays.
Here's a companion pack with a close-up on the finer details and character descriptions by the leading cast:
Synopsis
Ntandokayise Mthombeni is a maverick community leader and a resilient, street-smart law student who battles financial hardships while juggling multiple jobs to support her mother, stepfather and loving boyfriend in Tsakane.
Unbeknownst to her, she is the long-lost heir to the throne of the Khahlamba Kingdom.
Her mother, Tholakele, kept this a secret, having fled for her life from the Khahlamba Kingdom over 30 years ago.
Ntando must overcome the ruthless and immoral Prince Mcebo in a life-threatening battle to fulfil her destiny as Queen.
Hurt that he is not next in line, Prince Mcebo, is set to destroy the kingdom through his greed and corruption.
Will Ntando awaken to the significance of saving her people and the sacred life-sustaining spring water at the heart of the Khahlamba Kingdom?
Themes
Rooted in destiny and centred around Ntando's life, the story presents a world in which women rise, flip patriarchy on its head and reign.
It explores themes of cultural heritage, tradition, fate, ancestry, power struggles, identity and survival.
Who's who
*There are vids of the actors after these profiles if you'd rather watch than read.
Ntando has a
lotta princes to conquer:
Ntando
Played by Linda Mtoba
Linda: "uNtando, her character speaks a lot to the average South African. She may look so calm, cool and collected but there's so much fire and tenacity."
Tholakele
Played by Sindi Dlathu
Sindi: "uTholakele, the character... you know when they say we all have a story to tell?I'm intrigued by where she comes from, by what she escaped, and her future."
Prince Mcebo
Played by Pallance Dladla
Pallance: "About my character, there's a lot that I can tell you but I wouldn't wanna ruin anything. However, there's something that I can quote from Nas and he speaks of "King's Disease" and this is a person who goes through that."
MaNdlovu
Played by Dawn Thandeka King
Dawn: "Queen MaNdlovu is from the royal clan, KwaNdlovu in Swaziland and she's married to a Khahlamba clan."
Hamilton Dlamini
Played by King Banzi
Hamilton: "King Banzi is one of these selfish and greedy people. He wants to utilise the power to benefit himself."
Prince Mkhuseli
Played by Jabulani "Sjava" Hadebe
Prince Mkhuseli is King Banzi's first born son.
Besides acting on the show, Sjava also wrote the show's title track called Wena Wamanzi.
Prince Andile
Played by Mdudusi Mabaso
Mdudusi: "uAndile is the guy who's supposed to be sitting on the throne as a king."
Sanusi
Played by Mike Mvelase
Mike: "uSanusi is a seer, someone who sees things that other people don't see."
Prince Molapho
Played by Lehasa Moloi
Lehasa: "He's a Sotho prince, a deep lover, a deep lover, a lover of his people, he finds love in the show."
Thabang
Played by Nhlanhla Kunene
Nhlanhla: "He's a pretty chilled guy,"
- you can see why.
Vincent
Played by Patrick Mofokeng
Patrick: "uVincent is a married man, married to Tuwagele - they're based in Tsakane."
Fungingozi
Played by Sibulele Gcilitshana
Sibulele: "This character comes into this world as somebody who almost anchors power to the world of the king by embracing the darker side."
Dhaluxolo
Played by Themba Ndaba
Themba: "Dhaluxolo is adviser to his majesty KwaBanzi. He's not a very straight person - he makes sure he lays each side for his own gain."
Tobhozi
Played by Samkelo Ndlovu
Samkelo: "Tobhozi is a woman who is at the prime of her survival mode."
Vids of the actors' descriptions
Production credits
Production Company: Clive Morris Productions
Directors:
Andries van der Merwe (Head Director) and,
Athi Patela and Menga Nhlabathi (Series Directors)
Head Writer: Lunga Radebe
Director of Photography: Chuck Manganyi
Show Runner: Sayitsheni Mdakhi
Wardrobe: Phindile Mlambo
Make Up: Mmabatho Malinda