KwaBacha-born director Zuko Nodada is on a mission to educate and preserve the history of his nation in a new drama series for e.tv.
Nodada said his latest production, Ukhakhayi tells the story of amaBhaca and amaMpondomise.
AmaBhaca people are mainly found in the far eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, including KwaBhaca, the town formerly known as Mount Frere, and in and around KwaZulu-Natal towns such as Mzimkhulu, Harding and Ixopo.
Nodada said Ukhakhayi was the first drama series that he was working on under his own production company, Ingomso Skills and Youth Development. “Our company has always been about developing the youth and even now we have trainees on set who are assisting,” he said.
While this is the first drama series for his production company, Nodada has worked as a director on a number of shows. His work includes Matatiele, Intersexions, Hard Copy and Zero Tolerance.
Nodada and his production team are currently shooting Ukhakhayi in KwaZulu-Natal. “This is a personal story for me. As a nation we are facing a historic crisis, our tribe is getting extinct. There are tribes like amaBhaca, amaHlubi, amaMpondomise and people assume that they are Xhosa. Yes, the dialect may sound Xhosa or Zulu but we are different tribes,” Nodada said.
“There are Bhaca people in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal as well. Their allocated land is in Mount Frere but they are spread out and their story must not be lost.
“But most importantly, we have the KZN Film Commission financing this venture.
“It would not make sense to leave out some parts of their area when they are supporting this project,” he said, adding that e.tv was also putting money into the project.
Nodada said Ukhakhayi was a story about leadership within amaBhaca nation. “Without giving much away, the story focuses on Jezebomvu, who is a Bhaca chief who believes that he should be made king.
“We take the viewers on his journey as he fights for the throne that he strongly believes is his. We also touch on the amaMpondomise as well,” he said.
The cast consists of well-known actors such as Noxolo Maqashalala – whom many will remember from season one of Intersexions and Tsha Tsha – Chumani Pan, Mncedisi Shabangu and Melusi Yeni.
“The cast is amazing. We are blessed with the best team, from production to actors. We do not have any divas,” Nodada said.
The drama debuts on April 9 on e.tv. At the moment Nodada could not say if they would have a second season of Ukhakhayi.
“It’s too early to talk about season two. It all depends on how it is received by the public.
“I hope we will learn about the different tribes from this drama series,” he said. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
New TV drama preserves tribal history
Nodada said his latest production, Ukhakhayi tells the story of amaBhaca and amaMpondomise.
AmaBhaca people are mainly found in the far eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, including KwaBhaca, the town formerly known as Mount Frere, and in and around KwaZulu-Natal towns such as Mzimkhulu, Harding and Ixopo.
Nodada said Ukhakhayi was the first drama series that he was working on under his own production company, Ingomso Skills and Youth Development. “Our company has always been about developing the youth and even now we have trainees on set who are assisting,” he said.
While this is the first drama series for his production company, Nodada has worked as a director on a number of shows. His work includes Matatiele, Intersexions, Hard Copy and Zero Tolerance.
Nodada and his production team are currently shooting Ukhakhayi in KwaZulu-Natal. “This is a personal story for me. As a nation we are facing a historic crisis, our tribe is getting extinct. There are tribes like amaBhaca, amaHlubi, amaMpondomise and people assume that they are Xhosa. Yes, the dialect may sound Xhosa or Zulu but we are different tribes,” Nodada said.
“There are Bhaca people in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal as well. Their allocated land is in Mount Frere but they are spread out and their story must not be lost.
“But most importantly, we have the KZN Film Commission financing this venture.
“It would not make sense to leave out some parts of their area when they are supporting this project,” he said, adding that e.tv was also putting money into the project.
Nodada said Ukhakhayi was a story about leadership within amaBhaca nation. “Without giving much away, the story focuses on Jezebomvu, who is a Bhaca chief who believes that he should be made king.
“We take the viewers on his journey as he fights for the throne that he strongly believes is his. We also touch on the amaMpondomise as well,” he said.
The cast consists of well-known actors such as Noxolo Maqashalala – whom many will remember from season one of Intersexions and Tsha Tsha – Chumani Pan, Mncedisi Shabangu and Melusi Yeni.
“The cast is amazing. We are blessed with the best team, from production to actors. We do not have any divas,” Nodada said.
The drama debuts on April 9 on e.tv. At the moment Nodada could not say if they would have a second season of Ukhakhayi.
“It’s too early to talk about season two. It all depends on how it is received by the public.
“I hope we will learn about the different tribes from this drama series,” he said. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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