Eastern Cape director Rolie Nikiwe has done it again, with his new drama series The Heist starting on e.tv next Tuesday.The new action drama is produced by Nikiwe’s Branded Soul Production company which he started last year. The award-winning director recently produced e.tv’s Matatiele series.
Nikiwe said they started conceptualising The Heist last year. “We pitched two ideas to e.tv. They liked both but we had to focus on one idea. We started with Matatiele and as soon as that was done, we started on this production,” he said.
The drama was inspired by the mysterious cash heist that took place after Justin Bieber’s music concert at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg in 2013.
It is alleged that robbers broke into the stadium’s built-in vault by chiselling through walls to reach the R3-million stored in it.
It was believed they used ropes and ladders to access the strong room after managing to make holes in the walls.
The money was takings from food and drinks sold at kiosks during both the Bieber and Bon Jovi shows.
Although police have never made any arrests, Nikiwe said The Heist focused on the days leading to the big event. “We are imagining what could have happened a week leading to the heist.”
The new drama series showcased the survival and extremes people are willing to go through to improve their lives. Nikiwe said the story was filmed in various parts of Alexandra in Gauteng, focusing on social challenges people face in townships.
To portray these realities, Nikiwe said the action drama series was filled with some of the best television and film talent in the country.
Some of the big names featured on the series include Jerry Mofokeng, Wright Ngubeni, Kenneth Nkosi, Meshack Mavuso and Phumeza Mdabe.
Nikiwe said shooting an action drama series was a challenge.
“Shooting an action drama series everyday is challenging but I am happy with what we have. The actors are working hard and they have gone beyond our expectation,” he said. Fort Beaufort-born actor Thobani Mseleni is one of the featured guests on the show.
Mseleni was also part of Nikiwe’s Matatiele series last year.
“Mseleni played the role of Bhonyongo on Matatiele and now we have added it to The Heist. Bhonyongo moves from Matatiele to Johannesburg to work,” said Nikiwe.
Although it is not a major role, Mseleni said he was honoured to have another opportunity to work with Nikiwe.
Nikiwe said he had written Bhonyongo’s part into the new script.
Catch The Heist next Tuesday at 9.35pm on e.tv. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Nikiwe does EC proud – again
The new action drama is produced by Nikiwe’s Branded Soul Production company which he started last year. The award-winning director recently produced e.tv’s Matatiele series.
Nikiwe said they started conceptualising The Heist last year. “We pitched two ideas to e.tv. They liked both but we had to focus on one idea. We started with Matatiele and as soon as that was done, we started on this production,” he said.
The drama was inspired by the mysterious cash heist that took place after Justin Bieber’s music concert at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg in 2013.
It is alleged that robbers broke into the stadium’s built-in vault by chiselling through walls to reach the R3-million stored in it.
It was believed they used ropes and ladders to access the strong room after managing to make holes in the walls.
The money was takings from food and drinks sold at kiosks during both the Bieber and Bon Jovi shows.
Although police have never made any arrests, Nikiwe said The Heist focused on the days leading to the big event. “We are imagining what could have happened a week leading to the heist.”
The new drama series showcased the survival and extremes people are willing to go through to improve their lives. Nikiwe said the story was filmed in various parts of Alexandra in Gauteng, focusing on social challenges people face in townships.
To portray these realities, Nikiwe said the action drama series was filled with some of the best television and film talent in the country.
Some of the big names featured on the series include Jerry Mofokeng, Wright Ngubeni, Kenneth Nkosi, Meshack Mavuso and Phumeza Mdabe.
Nikiwe said shooting an action drama series was a challenge.
“Shooting an action drama series everyday is challenging but I am happy with what we have. The actors are working hard and they have gone beyond our expectation,” he said. Fort Beaufort-born actor Thobani Mseleni is one of the featured guests on the show.
Mseleni was also part of Nikiwe’s Matatiele series last year.
“Mseleni played the role of Bhonyongo on Matatiele and now we have added it to The Heist. Bhonyongo moves from Matatiele to Johannesburg to work,” said Nikiwe.
Although it is not a major role, Mseleni said he was honoured to have another opportunity to work with Nikiwe.
Nikiwe said he had written Bhonyongo’s part into the new script.
Catch The Heist next Tuesday at 9.35pm on e.tv. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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