AMALANGA AWAFANI (NEW SABC TELENOVELA) By Stained Glass Productions

 

If you know me, you know that I’m a sucker for South African Telenovelas. So, I was excited when I heard SABC will be dropping a new Telenovela. Stained Glass Productions (Creators of Uzalo, The Wife and Umjolo on Netflix) is undoubtably a fighter when it comes to promoting and uplifting the film industry in KwaZulu-Natal, now it dishes out a new Telenovela called Amalanga Awafani. Jehova! waseNquthu, not gonna lie the name doesn’t appeal that much to me because Isizulu has various words that they could have used to name the show, anyways this isn’t my grandfather’s show. It takes over Skeem Saam’s previous time slot at 18h30pm and it premiered on the 28th of April. Can we say this is the start of SABC’s come back?

Amalanga Awafani follows the lives of twins Sabelo and Thembi Gumede, who after recently losing their mother find her lottery winning ticket. It explores the consequences of sudden wealth gain, how the twins navigate their new lives that comes with the power of money.

 

“We've created the best show that brings fresh new talent. The storyline embraces the Zulu culture with Bhinca taste but also showcases different parts of the provinces. So, we are excited about the casting of this show” said Producer Pepsi Pokane when he sat down with TshisaLIVE, and they did exactly that, with just only three episodes out it’s already clear that the cast isn’t playing with the opportunity to play these characters. It’s undeniable that they cast has built an amazing chemistry, and it bounces from every frame, it’s beautiful to watch.

The twins played by Fanele Zulu (Sabelo Gumede) who is a charming character and would hustler his way out of any situation. His twin sister Nsikelelo Mthiyane (Thembi Gumede) is the total opposite of Sabelo as she is a hardworking, ambitious and takes her responsibilities serious. These two give out powerful performances, you get to love and hate them all at once. Nompumelelo Ndlovu Mzelemu who plays of MaDuma, who is a loving and caring mother to the twins, a prayer warrior who is foolishly in love with Melusi Yeni (Reginald Gumede). A father who seems like a sperm donor to the twins as he doesn’t play any significate roles in their lives. More characters will be introduced as the show progresses, but an honorable mention is Brain Khumalo (Plays Sugar) a supporting character. One can’t help but notice him in every scene as he is the glow in the dark and brings humour in dull scenes. A show with characters that seem like they never learn from their mistakes is very interesting to me.

The writing team, spear-headed by Busisiwe Zwane including Nthabi Tau, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, Sabelo Ndlovu and Thulani Cekiso are doing a great job in keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. The dialogue is amazing and intentional, What a team.

I find the opening sequence of the show not that interesting just simple I would have expected more since the show embodies the zulu culture, loved those landscape drone shots but you can’t tell me the soundtrack isn’t a hit, Lwah Ndlunkulu was a great choice for this one.

I know it’s stupid to say but poverty does look good on camera, Mdunyiswa Mlotshwa (Perfect Match on Showmax) does an excellent job as cinematography. Natural lighting, camera movements, the focus and camera detail to story doesn’t look like a rushed job at all but looks and feels like a painter at work.

Directors include Mthunzi Dubana, Charlie Samson, Nonkululeko Mdluli and Phiwe Mkhanzi

Amalanga Awafana looks like it will have a gripping season, can’t wait to watch as the story unfolds.

8.5/10