by Thinus Ferreira
Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) will debut a new Sunday night local drama series, Umbuso on Sunday 3 April at 20:00 with a cast including Lillian Dube, Bheki Sibiya, Sandile Mahlangu, Mzwandile Ngubeni, Zinzi Zungu,
Christopher Jafta, Makhaola Ndebele and Omuhle Gela.
Umbuso revolves around a street-smart businessman, Ma E (Bheki Sibiya) and a politician,
Tiny (Makhaola Ndebele) who are two old comrades determined to secure a post-struggle legacy
for themselves and their families.
Umbuso is produced by Meca, in association with war child entertainment.
After a brutal and bloody murder, a long-hidden and dark secret is
finally revealed, cutting to the heart of both families.
At the centre of it
all is Qhawe (Kwanele Mthethwa), a daughter trying to keep her family – and its
business – together.
While Umbuso is a story of the past haunting the present, politics and crime, at its heart the series is about family and the lengths people go to in order to protect those they love and what they believe is rightfully theirs.
Other cast members in Umbuso include Sphamandla Dhludhlu, Bathabile Mashigo and Bahumi Mhlongo.
"Sunday's
primetime slot is critical for us a channel, and our viewers are constantly
looking forward to the enticing and excellent shows that we have in store for
them," says Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels.
"We're always upping the ante, and Umbuso is our latest. While the drama is
always high stakes, the characters and what drives them are relatable and
authentic to our viewers."