BET Africa unveils Redemption as its second BET Original telenovela, set inside a South Africa megachurch run by powerful Zikode family starring Simon Zikode, Kwanele Mthethwa and Tina Jaxa.

by Thinus Ferreira

Paramount Africa's second locally-produced telenovela entitled Redemption starting on 26 September at 18:00 on BET (DStv 129) is set within the world of a South African megachurch starring Themba Ndaba as celebrity pastor Simon Zikode and Kwanele Mthethwa as his daughter Faith.

Similar to BET's first telenovela Isono which lasted a single season and is currently getting a re-airing on e.tv as South Africa's only commercial free-to-air TV channel, Redemption as a BET Africa Original will also get a free-to-air rebroadcast a few months later on e.tv.

Redemption is produced by Matsimela Films from the merged Seriti Films and Burnt Onion Productions, with the story starting after the disappearance of Simon Zikode. 

His daughter Faith, who is on the cusp of an international music career, drop everything to come to her family's rescue.

As Faith becomes immersed in the church organisation and family affairs "she uncovers devastating secrets about those closest to her and is confronted with her own skeletons. Dark truths come to light and the Zikode family are faced with many baffling decisions as they scramble to salvage the family’s legacy," BET Africa says.

Mond Twala, senior vice president of editorial and general manager for Paramount Africa and peer lead for BET International, says "Our mission at BET Africa is to engage the black community and truly drive black excellence in our industry and through the stories we tell".

"The team behind this BET Africa Original is exceptional. Redemption is a co-production by two of the most notable production companies in South Africa; Seriti Films who are known for their masterful storytelling and Burnt Onion Productions who deliver world-class productions. This, together with the stellar cast of Redemption, guarantees an enthralling viewing experience for our audiences across the continent."

Leanne Kumalo, Seriti Films managing director and executive producer, says "We are very excited about our collaboration with Burnt Onion, and strongly believe the co-production has elevated the project. Together the two companies have been able to really add something dynamic to the industry".

Leanne Kumalo, Katleho Ramaphakela, Rethabile Ramaphakela and Tshepo Ramaphakela are executive producers on Redemption, with Thabang Moleya, Nozipho Nkelemba and Athi Petela as directors and Siphosethu Tshapu and Kagiso Mogale serving as head writers.

The Redemption cast includes Tina Jaxa as pastor's wife Evelyn Zikode, described as "a classic matriarch who guards her nest like a hawk". Sthandiwe Kgoroge plays a villain BET Africa isn't giving a character description yet.

The rest of the Redemption cast includes Seputla Sebogodi, Yonda Thomas, Pearl Modiadie and Sparky Xulu, along with newcomers Nkone Mamejta and Toka Mtabane. 

Also part of the cast are Kwanele Mthethwa, Pakamisa Zwedala, Yonda Thomas, Mmarona Motshegoa, Peter Mashigo, Helen Lebepe, Sonni Chiediebere, Pearl Modiadie, Luthando Mthembu, Zenzo Ngqobe, and Majorie Langa.

Themba Ndaba says who plays Simon says "Redemption will bring much-anticipated drama, it will ignite fervent conversations around day-to-day experiences of the ordinary South African and shine a light on value systems within African communities. The energy on set is electrifying and we can’t wait to see that translate on screen".

Redemption will have new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays on BET Africa at 18:00 with a nightly repeat at 21:30.

Netflix to invest R900 million in South Africa's film and TV industry after R2 billion spent on local productions the past 5 years.

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix says the video streaming service will invest R900 million in South Africa over the next two years in the country's film and TV industry, in three local and one international production.

Netflix says it is working with production companies like Film Afrika, Gambit Films, Quizzical Pictures and Burt Onion and has spent R2 billion over the last 5 years on South African productions that funded 1 900 jobs.

Film Afrika is producing "Project Panda" in Cape Town at the Cape Town Film Studios - the working title of a live-action drama series, One Piece, that Netflix says is its biggest production in Africa to date in scale and budget and using some of the ships on set that were built and used for A+E Networks' Black Sails series.

It's the first time Netflix made any mention of the apparently noteworthy One Piece which already started filming in Cape Town a while ago, with South African media that were not told when the show was commissioned, that South Africa had been chosen as the production destination, or when filming and production started.  

Netflix says over 50 cast members of "Project Panda" or One Piece are South Africans with over 1 000 crew working on the show.

"Netflix is committed to South Africa for the long term and we're investing in talent both in front of and behind the camera," says Shola Sanni, Netflix's director of public policy in sub-Saharan Africa, in a  prepared statement that was provided after a media query.

"Since our launch in 2016, we've been working with South African creators and distributors to bring high-quality stories that showcase the best of South Africa's creativity and talent to a global audience - and this is only just the beginning."

Netflix says it is trying to create content that can find a global audience that would generate "even more demand for South African content".

"When a Netflix Original is commissioned, there is opportunity for writers, directors, actors, stylists and make-up artists, as well as a long list of industries and trades that make the production of a complex series or film possible."

"There's also a multiplier effect with any investment: the economic impact of each of the projects in South Africa is several times greater than the actual money invested."

Shola Sanni says "Netflix will continue to create new opportunities and help to build up the talent required to support local productions and grow the diversity and variety of stories".

"Netflix will also develop and work with the industry on more industry development and skills transfer and training initiatives to contribute meaningfully to the South African creative industry's growth."

According to Netflix around 80 South African films and TV series have been available on its video streaming service by December 2020, with 26 views of South African content by Netflix households outside of South Africa, for every South African watching something on Netflix.

While multiple South African producers and the local film industry continue to criticise and slam South Africa's department of trade, industry and competition (DTIC) for its lack of support for South Africa's filmmakers and the implosion of its film rebate scheme - for instance Yellowbone Entertainment producing Blood Psalms for MultiChoice's Showmax streamer, Netflix is praising the DTIC.

"We are keen to see the government of South Africa continue to maintain the favourable investment environment that has allowed for such investments thus far - including remarkable initiatives like the foreign film and production incentive scheme that DTIC has operated, which is in part responsible for putting SA at the front of the line as an attractive investment destination for production companies," says Shola Sanni.

"It would be great for our long-term investment plans to see even more transparency and predictability in that area, because the presence of a reliable incentive scheme is crucial for our financial decisions."