Muvhango

*Muvhango*
Muvhango
	Promotional ww poster
Genre	Soap opera
Created by	Duma Ndlovu
Written by	Loyiso Maqoma; Pamela Power; Nontuthuzelo Magoxo; Tsholofelo Ndlovu; Awelani Makhuvha; Sarah Smith; Amor Tredoux; Jacques Du Rand; Marina Bekker; Vusi Khoza;
Directed by	Jedi Mulovhedzi; Sipho Nhlaka Myeni; Sibongiseni Zondi; Tamie Madlakana ; Raai Mokoena
Creative director	Nthabi Tau
Starring	; Gabriel Temudzani; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Original languages	Tshivenda; English; Sesotho; isiZulu; isiXhosa;
Production
Executive producer	Duma Ndlovu
Producers	Herbert Hadebe; Leo Phiri; Malebo Mokoena
Running time	24 - 26 minutes
Production company	Word of Mouth Pictures
Release
Original network	SABC2
Original release	7 April 1997 –; present
Chronology
Related shows	Imbewu: The Seed

Muvhango is a South African television soap opera, created by Duma Ndlovu. It is broadcast on the public TV channel SABC 2, and has an average of 4 million daily viewers.^[1] The first episode was aired on 7 April 1997. It was the first Tshivenda language TV drama,^[2] but later became multilingual in order to showcase that languages and cultures of South Africa should be used to unite rather than divide. The creator of Muvhango is Zulu by ancestry, but can speak and is fluent in all South African languages.^[3]

The show is built on a premise that "umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" meaning that we exist within a context. The show has strong family orientated storylines that seeks to speak to the conflict between the traditional and the modern ways. The Vhakwevho's are the custodians of the traditional side of things while the Johannesburg lot focuses on the modern ways.

In 2006 the series was nominated for the South African Film and Television Award for best soap opera.^[4]

Elsie Rasalanavho and Maumela Mahuwa are currently the longest-serving cast members on the show. They have been on Muvhango since the show's inception in 1997. They are followed by Dingaan Khumalo and Gabriel Temudzani, who've both been there since 2000. Elsie Rasalanavho plays the role of Vho-Mukondeleli Mukwevho, Dingaan Khumalo has the role of businessman James Motsamai, Gabriel Temudzani has the role of Chief Azwindini Mukwevho, the Chief of Thathe and Maumela Mahuwa has the role of Nurse Susan Mukwevho, the senior wife of the Chief of Thathe.

Plot[]

The show is primarily set in Johannesburg and Venda. In Johannesburg, James Motsamai, Khakhathi Mulaudzi, Gugu Nkosi-Zikalala, Imani Nkosi, Hangwani Mukhwevho, Rendani Mukhwevho, their families and their colleagues deal with nepotism, drama and violence in the corporate world. In Venda, the Mukhwevho family leads the people of Thathe while there are cracks in their family.

Cast[]

Actor	Role
	James Motsamai
Gabriel Temudzani	Azwindini Mukwevho
	Susan Mukwevho
	Imani Nkosi
	Gugu Zikalala
	KK Mulaudzi
	Tenda Mudau
	Vho-Gizara Mukwevho
	Vho-Masindi Mukwevho
	Vho-Mukondeleli Mukwevho
	Mpho Mudau
	Mulimisi
	Vhangani Ramasha
	Mulalo Mukwevho
	Rendani Mukwevho
	Hangwani Mukwevho
	Kgosi Mulaudzi
	Marang Phala
	Vutsilo Mukwevho
	Vho-Makhadzi Mukwevho
	Itseng

The Mukwevho Family, MMC and Qalabosha Constructions[]

The Mukwevho family is one of the highest royal families in Venda. Azwindini was the chief and had 4 wives (Susan, Pfuluwani, Vele and Mpho). Vho-Masindi is the Queen Mother and the Chief's mother. Vho-Makhadzi is the matriarch of the family by blood and Vho-Gizara is the younger brother of Vho-Makhadzi and is Azwindini's Royal Advisor. Vho-Makhadzi, Vho-Gizara, Vho-Borosi and Vho-Phusuphusu are siblings and their brothers Vho-Albert, Vho-Mushasha and Vho-Mashudu (Azwindini's father) all died.

Vho-Hangwani is Albert's widow and Rendani is her daughter. Hangwani and Rendani both reside in Johannesburg but go to Venda for family gatherings. Hangwani owns coffee shop Dukathole and Rendani works at the family business, MMC. Vho-Mukondeleli is Vho-Mushasha's widow and Mulalo is her grandson. Mulalo has been fighting for the throne for a long time and was even bewitched to show that he isn't entitled to the throne. In a surprising turn of events, Mulalo became the chief of Thathe.

Thandaza was the first woman from the Vha-Kwevho family to ever get a corporate job whereas Senior Royal Wife Susan chose to become a nurse in Venda. Teboho Mukwevho became the owner of a well known local restaurant but she decided to sell it. Thandaza, Susan and Teboho are the only women from the Mukwevho family who are independent and have steady jobs.

MMC

Mukwevho Mulaudzi Constructions (formerly known as Mukwevho Mojalefa Constructions) is the Mukwevho family business. Azwindini's father and his brother Albert used to travel a lot and they started a construction company in Joburg for their families in Venda. The CEO was previously Thandaza Mokoena, who was Edward Mukwevho's widow until she started her own rival business, Basadi Constructions (now called Qalabosha).

The current CEO is Gugu Nkosi-Zikalala with KK Mulaudzi as the company's majority shareholder and Tenda Mudau as the Chairperson of the board. Rendani normally acts as her family's proxy in board meetings.

Qalabosha Constructions

Renowned businesswoman Thandaza Buthelezi (played by Sindi Dlathu) left MMC with business tycoon Lerumo Mojalefa who was the company's chairperson and her close friend James Motsamai to start their own company (Basadi Constructions). However, Lerumo and Thandaza left and they left the company in James' hands. He changed the name to Qalabosha Constructions when he married Moliehi Zikalala. James is the Chairperson and CEO of Qalabosha.

References[]

^ "'The Wild' nominated for seven awards". Daily Dispatch. 17 February 2012. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
^ Perkins, Kathy A. (1999). Black South African Women: An Anthology of Plays. Juta and Company. p. 142. ISBN 9781919713151.
^ "SABC still favours rich, urban viewers". The Times (South Africa). 19 September 2004.
^ "Inaugural SAFTA nominees announced". Bizcommunity.com. 4 October 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2012.

[1] "'The Wild' nominated for seven awards". Daily Dispatch. 17 February 2012. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.

[2] Perkins, Kathy A. (1999). Black South African Women: An Anthology of Plays. Juta and Company. p. 142. ISBN 9781919713151.

[3] "SABC still favours rich, urban viewers". The Times (South Africa). 19 September 2004.

[4] "Inaugural SAFTA nominees announced". Bizcommunity.com. 4 October 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2012.

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