BALOBEDU people are in for a treat.
Mzansi Magic has announced a new night primetime show inspired by Balobedu's legendary rainmaker, the first Queen Modjadji.
They announced the new show in a media release on Thursday, 22 February.
“Mzansi Magic is proud to announce that the production for its new Sunday night prime-time drama Queen Modjadji has commenced. This epic story is inspired by the world-famous Balobedu legendary rainmaker, the first Queen Modjadji, whose bloodline has ruled Southern Africa’s Lobedu clan for centuries,” the statement reads.
Born to the throne and blessed with an elemental ancestral gift, Queen Modjadji's reign gave rise to a succession of hereditary Queens.
Her story is of a matriarchal dynasty whose ability to transform the clouds and summon the rain has earned the Balobedu royalty a place among the most revered of African dynasties.
MultiChoice Group CEO for General Entertainment, Nomsa Philiso, said bringing Queen Modjadji to their audiences meets their desire for TV entertainment drawn from their heritage.
“It also flows seamlessly into our plans to create a catalogue of drama series made in African languages. Queen Modjadji comes hot off the trail of Shaka Ilembe, which was a global phenomenon and an expression of MultiChoice’s strategy to drive home-grown, authentic African storytelling,” said Nomsa.
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MultiChoice said work on Queen Modjadji is already well underway, and the team behind the title has been researching and consulting with key stakeholders, tribal leaders and academic experts.
“Scripting and casting for the series is nearing completion, and filming will soon commence,” the statement continued.
Leading the production is renowned poet, playwright, and producer Duma Ndlovu, whose vision is to craft a series that provides viewers an opportunity to engage with the Lobedu culture and traditions.
“Queen Modjadji was a living embodiment of this, and so we'll explore what this Royal title, and the women who’ve held it, have lived, sacrificed, lost, and achieved. At the same time, we want to be entertaining with a strong episodic storyline and historical detail set under unpredictable skies, where rain or storm echoes what is happening in the lives of those below,” he said.
