Production is set to begin this month on Inkonyana Yohlanga a TV series set and shot in the OR Tambo District.
This is a brave step, because filmmaker, Ed Mangxaba, a former Radio Transkei presenter, said SABC had only shown interest in his pilot, and told him to come back when he had more to show them.
Mangxaba says he is up to the challenge. He said the project had taken years of research and writing and rewriting.
The proposed TV series is a first TV for Imiliza Film Productions, which is based in OR Tambo region.
Mangxaba wants to develop arts and culture mostly focused on the retention of the rich Xhosa language and other indigenous languages.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch Mangxaba said that filming was expected to take up to two months and the film would be shot in some areas in the OR Tambo District including the Ntshiqo Tribal Area, Mthatha CBD, parts of Buwa village, Coffee Bay and in villages close to the Mbhashe River.
He said the production intended to expose the hidden talent of many OR Tambo district actors and would at the same time create jobs for some villages where the series will be shot.
“We envision creating 120 part-time jobs for residents of the district and these include the use of locals as actors, production crew and extras. Budding actors in the Eastern Cape will be given exposure to the film industry.”
Some of the actors are from the Mthatha Arts Centre. Auditions for extras will be held as production proceeds.
Mangxaba said the series was about the life, culture and the traditions of the powerful AbaThembu tribe and revolved around the story of a young albino man born of royal blood .
“The series also reveals the importance of the roles played by chiefs in cultural affairs and exposes the rich Xhosa language and dynamic culture. The series delves deeply into the plight of people born with albinism in our society,” said Mangxaba.
He said the idea for the series was born in the late 90s following a radio interview he had with Nelson Mandela.
“I asked him if he had ever seen an albino chief or king and he said ‘No, but if the lineage declares him a chief or king then no one can dispute that because traditional leaders are born not voted for. Albinos are looked down on and with this project we want to teach people that albinos are people too and that they too can be something in life,” he said.
“We will first confer with members of the Thembu royal house and get more advice about certain intricacies in Thembu culture, wear and dance, such as umteyo. The series will showcase the beautiful undulating topography of the Transkei and the scintillating Wild Coast,” he said. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Series seeks to focus on E Cape royal life
Production is set to begin this month on Inkonyana Yohlanga a TV series set and shot in the OR Tambo District.
This is a brave step, because filmmaker, Ed Mangxaba, a former Radio Transkei presenter, said SABC had only shown interest in his pilot, and told him to come back when he had more to show them.
Mangxaba says he is up to the challenge. He said the project had taken years of research and writing and rewriting.
The proposed TV series is a first TV for Imiliza Film Productions, which is based in OR Tambo region.
Mangxaba wants to develop arts and culture mostly focused on the retention of the rich Xhosa language and other indigenous languages.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch Mangxaba said that filming was expected to take up to two months and the film would be shot in some areas in the OR Tambo District including the Ntshiqo Tribal Area, Mthatha CBD, parts of Buwa village, Coffee Bay and in villages close to the Mbhashe River.
He said the production intended to expose the hidden talent of many OR Tambo district actors and would at the same time create jobs for some villages where the series will be shot.
“We envision creating 120 part-time jobs for residents of the district and these include the use of locals as actors, production crew and extras. Budding actors in the Eastern Cape will be given exposure to the film industry.”
Some of the actors are from the Mthatha Arts Centre. Auditions for extras will be held as production proceeds.
Mangxaba said the series was about the life, culture and the traditions of the powerful AbaThembu tribe and revolved around the story of a young albino man born of royal blood .
“The series also reveals the importance of the roles played by chiefs in cultural affairs and exposes the rich Xhosa language and dynamic culture. The series delves deeply into the plight of people born with albinism in our society,” said Mangxaba.
He said the idea for the series was born in the late 90s following a radio interview he had with Nelson Mandela.
“I asked him if he had ever seen an albino chief or king and he said ‘No, but if the lineage declares him a chief or king then no one can dispute that because traditional leaders are born not voted for. Albinos are looked down on and with this project we want to teach people that albinos are people too and that they too can be something in life,” he said.
“We will first confer with members of the Thembu royal house and get more advice about certain intricacies in Thembu culture, wear and dance, such as umteyo. The series will showcase the beautiful undulating topography of the Transkei and the scintillating Wild Coast,” he said. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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