e.tv cancels Imbewu after 5 seasons.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Grapevine Productions show Imbewu on e.tv has been cancelled after 5 years with the KwaZulu-Natal series which will conclude at the end of March and get replaced by a new locally-produced drama series.

E.tv gave no reason for the Imbewu cancellation which launched in April 2018 and has been one of the most-watched shows on the red letter channel the past half a decade, with eMedia saying that it remains "committed to its investment in local programming".

The late prime-time series focused on two Durban families - the Bhengus and Rampersads - and aired over 1 000 episodes.

"We'd like to thank the production for its commitment in delivering five great seasons of compelling stories, despite the highly competitive timeslots it found itself at 21:30 and 21:00," says Helga Palmer, eMedia's head of local programming.

The Imbewu co-executive producers, Leleti Khumalo; Duma Ndlovu and Anant Singh, in a statement say "We are proud to have created a trailblazing show that showcased the multicultural environment of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal".

"Imbewu changed the face of the daily drama offering on South African television with its unique storylines, cliffhangers and high drama, resulting in it becoming one of the most-watched shows. We are grateful to our broadcast partner, e.tv for their support of the show and for the opportunity."

South Africa's KZN flooding disaster: How flooded sets paused production and pushed out filming on Uzalo, Durban Gen, Imbewu and a movie.

by Thinus Ferreira

With flooded sets and casts and crew unable to get to work, the destructive rainfall and disastrous flooding in KwaZulu-Natal also damaged South Africa's TV and film industry as it disrupted production of Uzalo as the country's biggest TV show as well as other television series filmed in the province, with at least one locally-shot film that has to pause and push out its start of filming to next month.

South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province is dealing with a growing humanitarian disaster with more than 448 people who have lost their lives so far and billions of rand of damage to infrastructure and property.

The country's cabinet has declared a National State of Disaster in response to floods while KwaZulu-Natal based productions, making some of the biggest shows on South African television are also assessing the damage the floodwater wrought and picking up the pieces.

Uzalo on SABC1 and Durban Gen on e.tv that saw flooded sets and Imbewu on e.tv - all filmed in the province - had to halt production but have and are resuming production again.

The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission (KZFC) tells TVwithThinus "the floods affected every community in KwaZulu-Natal. Most of the work in TV and film had to be put on hold due to lack of electricity, water and the roads being closed".

"We have not received any updates regarding most productions that had to be paused, however as productions usually take place around the KwaZulu-Natal area, there is a high possibility that they were also affected."

"A feature film called The Score was due to film from 19 April but due to the devastation experience in the province, they had to delay production until 16 May. We are still in the process of determining whether there were other projected affected."

The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission says it is waiting to hear from producers to indicate what assistance they would need from the commission's side in order to get back in schedule with their filming processes.

"As the industry and an agency of the state, we are comforted by the fact that the government has made an estimation of the loss and are working on ensuring that people's livelihood are restored."

Stained Glass TV, the production company responsible for Uzalo - the most-watched show on South African television and most-watched show on the SABC that drew over 7 million viewers in March on SABC1 - told TVwithThinus that the prime time telenovela had to shut down production for 5 days but has resumed filming.  

The prime time soap Durban Gen, also produced by Stained Glass TV for eMedia's e.tv that lured 2.51 million viewers in March, also had to deal with flooded sets and shut down production for one day and for two days worked with cast and crew who could make it to work.

"Like most of KwaZulu-Natal our productions were also gravely impacted by the floods," Stained Glass TV spokesperson Nomfundo Zondi tells TVwithThinus.

"On both productions, we couldn't shoot for numerous days due to our sets being flooded and cast and crew being unable to make the journey to work. Lastly, all location and street scenes were temporarily halted simply because the weather wasn't conducive."

"Fortunately, we were able to quickly make the necessary reparations to the sets to resume production. Our hearts are with all those impacted, It is indeed a tough time for KwaZulu-Natal as many have not only lost jobs and homes but loved ones as well," she says.

Production will resume today on Imbewu, the prime time soap from Grapevine Productions on e.tv that lured 3.44 million viewers in March and which is also filmed in the flood-ravaged province.

"Due to weather conditions and flooding, some personnel were severely impacted and unable to travel to work," spokesperson Nilesh Singh says.

"As such, the production was halted on 12 and 13 April. A production break of one week for Easter, starting on 14 April was already scheduled and the production will resume as normal on Wednesday".

Coronavirus: e.tv's Imbewu drama series produced in KwaZulu-Natal also shutters over Covid-19 case; exposed cast and crew tested and set deep-cleaned.

by Thins Ferreira

Yet another local South African TV show has been forced to shut down with e.tv's Imbewu that has now shuttered because of a Covid-19 positive case.

Imbewu is the latest primetime series on South African television that will continue broadcasting episodes although the Grapevine Productions series filmed in KwaZulu/Natal is shutting down for deep-cleaning of the studio and sets.

M-Net's The River (produced by Tshedza Pictures) on 1Magic (DStv 103) was the first show to shut down in May after local productions geared up again following the 2-months shutdown because of the national lockdown period which started in late-March.

That was followed by Skeem Saam on SABC1. Both The River and Skeem Saam are back in production again.

After them followed Muvhango (produced by Word of Mouth Productions) on SABC2; as well as Rhythm City (Produced by Quizzical Pictures) and Scandal! (produced by Ochre Media) both on e.tv and will all three of these who are still shut down.

7de Laan (produced by Danie Odendaal Productions) on SABC2 also shut down because of Covid-19 but is now back in production. Generations - The Legacy (produced Morula Pictures) on SABC1 and Lithapo (produced by Quizzical Pictures) on SABC2 were the next two shows to shut down and both are still closed.

South Africa's struggling TV and film industry has already shed thousands of jobs in the three months since April that cameras were first turned off and studio doors closed and now haltingly try to make a go of it as Covid-19 cases keep popping up everywhere forcing new shutdowns.

"e.tv can confirm that a positive case of Covid-19 has been recorded on the late prime weekday show Imbewu. The KwaZulu-Natal local production premises have shut down, and the necessary testing for exposed cast and crew members is underway," says e.tv in a statement.

"The set will undergo deep cleaning to further minimize the risk of contamination, as per Covid-19 protocols. In respecting the privacy of our talent, cast and crew’s medical and health matters, we will not be issuing the names of any affected individuals."

e.tv says that "the health of affected employees will be monitored over time, and filming will resume when it is safe to do so as set out by health authorities. All Covid-19, level 3 protocols, and guidelines will once again be adhered to with stringent controls once the required cast and crew are back on set."

Fundiswa Zwane exits e.tv's Imbewu after 2 years, actress walks from Grapevine Productions after pay raise ask is turned down.

by Thinus Ferreira

Actress Fundiswa Zwane has exited and decided she's walking from e.tv's primetime series Imbewu: The Seed after a pay raise negotiation didn't work out, following 2 years of helping to build the Grapevine Productions show into a success.

Twitter and influencers on Tuesday fuelled fake news rumours on social media that Fundiswa Zwane was allegedly "fired" from Imbewu - something that's completely untrue. It's not clear where the rumours started.

Sources close to the show told TVwithThinus on Tuesday afternoon that it was the actress who decided she's out the studio doors after approaching show bosses for a pay raise to get what she felt she's worth and it didn't work out.

Fundiswa Zwane, who plays the character of Ka-MaDonsela, will have her last on-screen appearance on 29 July 2020 after she joined Inbewu since its inception two years ago in 2018. It's not clear whether the character is getting killed off or being recast.  

While e.tv issued the obligatory "e.tv wishes Fundi well, in all her future endeavours" in a press statement on Tuesday which often happens when talent and production separate, sources tell me that everything isn't as flowery behind-the-scenes.

e.tv says that "Fundi has been a tremendous pleasure to watch. She brilliantly epitomized the role of Ka-Madonsela, a wife whose roots are deeply set in her culture. The past two years have served as a true testament to who Fundi is, a strong talent in the South African TV industry. She has navigated her time at Imbewu with unmatched professionalism".

e.tv says nothing in the press statement about the remuneration issue between the actress and the production that is the reason that led to the actress' exit from Inbewu.

"We will miss her big personality, dedication to her craft, and sense of adventure. e.tv and the cast and crew of Imbewu will always treasure the time spent with Fundi," says Marlon Davids, e.tv managing director, in the prepared statement.

Fundiswa Zwane, in the prepared statement, says "I  am proud of what meaningful business and artistic collaboration has been able to achieve over the past 2 years. I echo Marlon’s sentiments, the past 2 years have bred beautiful relationships".

"It has been a great journey travelled and I, like millions of South Africans, am so excited with what Imbewu will continue to achieve through this beautiful story that so many enjoy."

Actress Owethu Enhle Gambushe who appeared in e.tv's Imbewu dead after car crash in Durban.

The 22-year old actress Owethu Enhle Gambushe who made appearances in e.tv's local drama series, Imbewu, has died after a car crash in Durban early Saturday morning.

The vehicle she was travelling together with four other people crashed into a wall on Botanical Gardens Avenue in Durban.

The identity of the other woman, also in her 20s, who also died on the scene is not yet know.

A third person in the vehicle was also seriously injured.

Owethu Enhle Gambushe who studied television production at AFDA in Durban appeared in the role of Nonhlanhla in the Grapevine Productions series of producers Duma Ndlovu and Anant Singh and died just after 01:00 on Saturday morning after sustaining major injuries.

According to provincial police the driver (47) of the BMW who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol will be charged with culpable homicide after colliding with a road side and then hitting the wall. The man will appear in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Monday.

"It's unbelievable. We are liaising with the family and they have requested space to deal with this tragedy," said Leleti Khumalo, executive producer of Imbewu: The Seed in a statement.

ANALYSIS. e.tv's show, Imbewu, to rival SABC's Uzalo has a problem before it's even started, as e.tv signals to the media and TV critics how little importance it attaches to its own show.

With less than a week before Imbewu will start on e.tv as a rival for the SABC's Uzalo on SABC1, e.tv has a big problem that is of its own making as the broadcaster is making it very clear how little importance e.tv is actually attaching itself to Imbewu as it signals to the media covering television that the production isn't a show to bother with or something worth spending any time or attention on.

With Imbewu - The Seed starting on e.tv sometime next week, e.tv has done basically nothing to bring the show under the attention of the national press covering television and South African TV critics attention. Who knows why?

Produced by Grapevine Productions, a joint venture between Videovision Entertainment, Word of Mouth Pictures and Luys Productions with Duma Ndlovu and Anant Singh, it now seems as if either e.tv executives are thinking that Imbewu is trash - or that e.tv just can't actually be bothered enough to promote its own show properly.

Either way, what the lack of e.tv's effort and attention to get media involvement with and for Imbewu is now signaling to the media, is that e.tv is sending a deliberate sign in a crowded local TV drama series field filled with many soaps and telenovelas, that Imbewu is not worth the attention nor the time of TV critics and the press - and by proxy not worth viewers' attention nor time.

Imbewu at this stage is probably another one of those throwaway local productions that's little more than a late prime time timeslot filler, not worthy of any significant press attention. If it were, e.tv would have put effort into signaling and reaching out to the media that Imbewu was important by actually communicating with journalists and all national media about it.

If Imbewu mattered - or mattered enough - to e.tv, the broadcaster would have brought normal marketing and publicity practice to bear and would have involved, reached out to and sought out national journalists and press attention for Imbewu.

That however is - by this far too late stage - something that e.tv hasn't bothered (failed?) to do.

It's also important to remember that e.tv's Imbewu even before starting the broadcast of its first episode, had already suffered controversy over things like the anti-Indian group known as the Injenje Yaba Nguni Council that in February this year threatened to burn down Anant Singh’s Videovision offices if Imbewu dared to portray racial tensions between Indians and other groupings.

Then there's also the allegations of sexual harassment that was made by an Imbewu on-set extra.

You'd think that e.tv would have worked out some plan to do even more marketing and publicity for Imbewu given the controversy and many things that's unclear around the show; that e.tv would have organised some type of a pre-show press conference like other broadcasters, would have reached out by offering up the cast and producers for interviews, and would have make screener episodes available for reviews or would have done a pre-screening for national media.

e.tv didn't want to do any of that for Imbewu.

The biggest conclusion to draw from this is that Imbewu isn't of importance to e.tv, since the broadcaster's PR and marketing machine - and the people appointed by e.tv to do Imbewu publicity whoever they are - deliberate took the decision and chose not to reach out to the press to drum up buzz and national viewership support before the start of the show.

This past Thursday or Friday e.tv apparently organised some so-called "Imbewu media launch" somewhere in KwaZulu-Natal but national media didn't even know about it, nor did e.tv's publicity division communicate anything about it at all.

e.tv's marketing and publicity and whoever is responsible for the show's PR couldn't bother and neither beforehand, nor afterwards, wanted to tell and inform national media and TV critics that there would be a so-called "media launch" of Imbewu somewhere in KZN - presumably Durban.

Imbewu is set in KwaZulu-Natal's Durban and surrounding areas and revolves around two rival families, exactly like Uzalo on SABC1. With Leleti Khumalo who jumped ship from Uzalo to the new similar-looking Imbewu, e.tv that hasn't done anything to explain why it's doing  a show that before its launch next week looks like a copycat type show.

e.tv's marketing and publicity and whoever is responsible for dealing with the media on behalf of Imbewu didn't issue any transcripts of what was said by Imbewu's production executives, e.tv executives, or actors appearing in Imbewu. A typed up record or so-called "rush transcript" in the biz of what was said probably doesn't even exist.

There's been no roundtable Q&A, no press release for Imbewu, after the "launch" event, and no basic publicity material like cast publicity images, character descriptions or episode synopses issued.

What did Duma Ndlovu, Anant Singh and Leleti Khumalo as producers have to say, if any of them attended and spoke? We don't and won't know. What did Ziyanda Mngomezulu, the general manager for content services at e.tv, or Marlon Davids, e.tv managing director, say if these or other e.tv executives spoke? Again, we won't know.

Not fact-checked, but apparently e.tv showed an episode of Imbewu - or some of it - to people at the so-called "media launch". If true, it's sad and shocking that e.tv continues to blatantly discriminate by only showing footage to certain people but not giving national press an equal change to sample show's for review purposes.

It's bad that e.tv and its marketing and publicity division couldn't bother with making the effort to show or preview Imbewu to the national media and TV critics, irrespective of whether it showed some of it at some "launch".

There's been no screener issued either through an online preview service as is being done by other broadcasters and several streaming services locally and internationally for South African media, or a DVD screener disk, or by holding any type of a screening room event for this Imbewu. It's embarrassing.

e.tv also didn't reach out to offer up e.tv executives or Imbewu showrunners, producers or cast members - something that is almost always done by the publicity teams of broadcasters with their noteworthy new shows.

TVwithThinus polled other journalists and media covering television about Imbewu on Monday afternoon. All asked said that they knew nothing and heard nothing from e.tv regarding Imbewu or any apparent media launch.

A few said they saw something on Twitter that e.tv held some type of a "media launch" in KZN for Imbewu but that they didn't bother investigating or giving it attention and that they won't be bothering with Imbewu purely because e.tv "didn't bother to send me any information or really do anything". I won't add what some other journalists covering television said but it was all negative about e.tv and Imbewu.

Quite telling is how e.tv's marketing and publicity approach to Imbewu is different when comparing the like-for-like show to SABC1's Uzalo.

When the SABC launched Uzalo three years ago in February 2015, it invited national TV critics and a group of strategic media from across South Africa for a whole day media launch in Durban.

The Uzalo media launch before the show started included a comprehensive, guided set visit at the studio, watching the blocking and filming of scenes, an elaborate on-location set visit to several of KwaMashu's streets and buildings where exteriors are filmed, round table interviews with producers and cast at the studio, as well as showing the first episode to media and an official evening event launch.

The SABC and Uzalo also gave full press packs to media attending as well as to media who wasn't there more than a week in advance before Uzalo started.

e.tv chose not to do any of this for Imbewu and the broadcaster's deliberate under par publicity effort for the show is a signal to the media that it shouldn't bother much with Imbewu either.

With so many other shows, broadcasters, streaming services and TV channels - local ones as well as international ones available in South Africa - and who are putting in a lot of effort to get attention and press for shows, the bulk of the media will very likely quickly forget about Imbewu before it's even started.

The same happened with e.tv's Broken Vows that the channel didn't want to properly bring under the national media's attention last year in April and was eventually basically dumped and swept from existence after less than a year after terrible ratings on e.tv.

Is Imbewu a "worse", "same" or "better" show than Uzalo? It's not possible to say. What is possible to say, is that Imbewu is, now, perceived as less or lesser or a show, "thanks" to e.tv's lesser effort for whatever reason, around the show.

For viewers, TV executives and people working in television in South Africa and following news about Imbewu and possibly wondering why there's not more about Imbewu in the national press just days before the first episode will be broadcast - its because e.tv chose to do less publicity than others.

The result is that the media are and will be attaching less importance to it and will very likely be giving Imbewu less exposure than what otherwise would or could have been the case.

e.tv's upcoming new Grapevine produced show, Imbewu - The Seed, rocked by sexual harassment claims from an on-set extra; e.tv says it views these types of allegations as very serious and has started an investigation.

e.tv's upcoming new local prime time soap Imbewu - The Seed set to start later this month on 16 April and already mired in controversy, is now also being rocked by distressing and serious sexual harassment allegations with the broadcaster that has started an investigation.

A woman, Amanda Phakathi, who has been employed as an Imbewu on-set extra, has come forward making allegations of bad on-set treatment and sexual harassment at the show filmed on location in KwaZulu-Natal.

She said that "male crew are perverts" in a message directed at executive producer Duma Ndlovu, claiming she felt "violated and unsafe", was shouted at, and was told by "the short chubby guy from admin" that trying to report the sexual harassment "won't help because I'm just an extra".

e.tv in response to a media enquiry tells TVwithThinus that the broadcaster is aware of the sexual harassment allegations, views all allegations of this nature as very serious, and has started an investigation.

Imbewu: The Seed is produced by Grapevine Productions, a joint venture between Videovision Entertainment, Word of Mouth Pictures and Luys Productions with Duma Ndlovu and Anant Singh.

The show, set to start on 16 April at 21:30 with Leleti Khumalo, Thembi Mtshali, Sandile Dlamini and Mpumelelo Bhulose already courted controversy earlier this year when the anti-Indian group knwon as the Injenje Yaba Nguni Council in February threatened to burn down Anant Singh’s Videovision offices if Imbewu dares to portray racial tensions between Indians and other groupings.

Imbewu: The Seed revolves around two brothers - one leading a rural life, the other one rich in the city. One can't father children and the other one is asked to impregnate his brother's wife in order to ensure the legacy and dynasty of the family name.

In the latest controversy, Amanda Phakathi who allegedly worked as an extra on the Imbewu set, wrote to Duma Ndlovu to complain about sexual harassment on-set, telling him that "you treat extras like nobodies!" and that "the way extras are treated there is disgusting! Those male crew perverts are disgusting as well!"

"Duma Ndlovu, I am very disgusted in the way extras are treated on-set for Imbewu. I was an extra recently and I'm not happy with the treatment. The crew is super unprofessional, I felt so violated and unsafe! First of all when I got there a young man named Njabulo swore at me because I banged the door by MISTAKE because I was carrying so many clothes for the shoot. He shouted at me like I'm a small kid and swore at me!"

"It doesn't end there.When the shoot began they called me in to be an extra for the scene. The men there (part of the crew I think) kept pointing at my legs and laughing. I felt so uncomfortable as if there was something wrong with me."

"When I spoke to the short dark chubby guy from admin asking him if I can report this, he said it won't help because I'm just an extra and even Duma Ndlovu won't help you because that's how extras are treated. Those were his exact words."

"I am so hurt I never want to be an extra on Imbewu ever again!"

Ziyanda Mngomezulu, the general manager for content services at e.tv, regarding claims of sexual harassment on-set at Imbewu - The Seed told TVwithThinus in a statement that "e.tv is aware of an allegation of sexual harassment on the set of its new drama series Imbewu: The Seed."

"eMedia Investments takes a zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment and abuse, in any form, and views all allegations of this nature as very serious."

Ziyanda Mngomezulu, says that "the moment the channel became aware of this allegation, it initiated an investigation with the production company of Imbewu:The Seed."

"Unfortunately, despite numerous efforts, Grapevine has been unable to identify and make contact with the individual concerned."

"Grapevine will continue to make efforts to identify and reach her, in order to acquire more information and then take the appropriate action to address the matter. At this time neither we nor any producers are able to provide any further comment."

e.tv says that any information that may aid this investigation can be sent to info@etv.co.za.

America's hashtagged #MeToo movement borne in October 2017 following the revelations of sexual misconduct allegations against the ousted Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, and now detailing the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment in the TV, film and entertainment industry but also other workplaces, has now crossed the Atlantic.

Women from the United Kingdom and India to South Africa have become vocal about sexual harassment and assault in the workplace and more are sharing their personal stories.

In December 2017 the #NotInMyName organisation held public protest action at the entrance of the MultiChoice City headquarters in Randburg, Johannesburg, over allegations that female MultiChoice staffers have been raped and victimised through sexual harassment.

Protesters were furious over the way MultiChoice has allegedly not been doing enough to help a rape victim working at MultiChoice and to address sexual harassment of workers.

MultiChoice said the satellite pay-TV operator will start a "thorough investigation" after a South African woman who is still working for MultiChoice and previously said she was raped in 2014, allegedly made new and further revelations, saying she was also raped by senior MultiChoice colleagues in 2014.

The Sisters Working in Film and Television (Swift) group aimed at protecting and advancing the cause of women in the South African film and television industry, conducted research in 2017 with the study that uncovered widespread sexism, sexual harassment and unfair labour practices being experienced by women in the South African film and TV industry.

Over 70% of women surveyed and working in South Africa's film and TV industry said that they have felt violated in the workplace. Over 71% said that there was no platform or person available on-set that they could rely on for support or could report abuse.

e.tv's new soap, Imbewu: The Seed, gets slotted for a 9:30pm timeslot from 16 April as Leleti Khumalo goes from MaNzuza to MaZulu.

e.tv has scheduled the free-to-air commercial channel's new Imbewu: The Seed for a 21:30 timeslot, with the KwaZulu-Natal set weekday soap that will kick off on 16 April as the only local soap in the timeslot.

Imbewu: The Seed that will broadcast Mondays to Fridays on e.tv, has a cast including Thembi Mtshali (MaNdlovu), Sandile Dlamini (Phakade), Mpumelelo Bhulose (Zimele) and Leleti Khumalo going from MaNzuza in SABC1s Uzalo to MaZulu.

It will be the only show of its type during the 21:30 timeslot as e.tv decided not to schedule Imbewu during the heated and strongly contested 20:00 hour.

SABC2's Keeping Score ends on 10 April and is replaced by old rebroadcasts a week before Imbewu kicks off.

Imbewu shares a lot of similarities with SABC1's Uzalo as the show that Leleti Khumalo used to be in before jumping to Imbewu and where she now, besides an on-screen role, also gets an executive producer credit.

Imbewu: The Seed is produced by Grapevine Productions, a joint venture between Videovision Entertainment, Word of Mouth Pictures and Luys Productions with Duma Ndlovu and Anant Singh.

Imbewu: The Seed revolves around two brothers - one leading a rural life, the other one rich in the city. One can't father children and the other one is asked to impregnate his brother's wife in order to ensure the legacy and dynasty of the family name.

Controversy already stirred over the show, shot on location in KwaZulu-Natal, before a single episode has been shown.

The anti-Indian group knwon as the Injenje Yaba Nguni Council in February threatened to burn down Anant Singh’s Videovision offices if Imbewu dares to portray racial tensions between Indians and other groupings.

e.tv said that it found the "threat of violence against Videovision Entertainment disturbing, and should this materialise, it will be dealt with, within the confines of the law".

Actress Leleti Khumalo swops KwaZulu-Natal drama series as she switches from SABC1's Uzalo to e.tv's new Imbewu and add executive producer credit.

Actress Leleti Khumalo is jumping from one KwaZulu/Natal drama series to another and adding an executive producer title as she switches from the SABC's Uzalo to e.tv's new Imbewu: The Seed starting in April.

After contract negotiations to remain on the show for the 4th season didn't work out, Leleto Khumalo has left Stained Glass TV's Uzalo on SABC1 that is filmed on location in KwaMashu, Durban for a new drama series, Imbewu: The Seed - starting in April on e.tv and also filmed in the KwaZulu/Natal province.

Leleti Khumalo's original character MaNzuza that she's portrayed since the first season is being killed off by Stained Glass TV, but Leleti will live again as a brand-new character in Imbewu: The Seed that will tell a new story set in the humble streets in eNquthu and the township of Chatsworth as well as the most-affluent parts of Umlazi.

Leleti Khumalo won't just appear as a character in the show, she is also an executive producer behind the scenes, teaming up with with TV veteran Duma Ndlovu producing Muvhango for SABC2 and the South African film producer veteran Anant Singh.

Imbewu: The Seed is produced for e.tv by Grapevine Productions, a joint venture between Videovision Entertainment, Word Of Mouth Pictures and Luyks Productions.

Anant Singh from Videovision Entertainment and Duma Ndlovu from Word Of Mouth Pictures will be at the helm of the production of the drama series. e.tv hasn't yet announced a timeslot for Imbewu, with speculation now swirling that the show might be scheduled at 20:30 on e.tv as counter-programming for the SABC1 ratings juggernaut.

Imbewu: The Seed will revolve around the family dynasties and two brothers in KwaZulu/Natal - interestingly just like how Uzalo started out in late-2015. "Imbewu focuses on the ties that bind families through blood and spirit, asking sobering and controversial questions that are relevant to all South African cultures," says e.tv.

"A deep and unspoken truth, representing the cultural legacy between two brothers, is at the centre of the series’ captivating plot," says e.tv that says brand-new talent are part of the cast, alongside veteran actors.

“One of e.tv's commitments in 2018 is to invest in provinces beyond Gauteng. KwaZulu-Natal is the country’s fastest-growing province with a strong focus on the entertainment industry,” says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, general manager of e.tv's local content division.

“We are honoured to be partnering with film, television and theatre greats in Anant Singh, Duma Ndlovu and Leleti Khumalo, from the newly formed Grapevine Productions, and look forward to presenting viewers with a fresh reflection of KZN that is all encompassing”.

Anant Singh says that Imbewu: The Seed will “reflect the multi-cultural environment which makes Durban and the province of KwaZulu-Natal unique.”

“The show has the ability to cross the cultural divide and promote social cohesion in South Africa, showcasing a hybrid of cultures in South Africa today. We are extremely excited to be embarking on this amazing television series in KwaZulu-Natal with our partners, e.tv”. 

Duma Ndlovu says he is “very excited for this opportunity to tell an authentic South African story. I am excited to be partnering with Anant Singh and Leleti Khumalo as we prepare to give South Africans a new and unique story.”

“In South Africa, we have not yet had the opportunity to see Indians and Africans come together to tell a story with a social cohesion message and Imbewu: The Seed will deliver this to audiences.”