SOUTH AFRICAN musician Freddy Gwala is set to feature in a drama titled Mahlalela produced and directed by Bulawayo-born actor Mthulisi Moyo.
NONLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENT
Gwala has worked with some of the country’s renowned artistes such as raunchy dancer Beverly Sibanda and music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi.
He revealed to Southern Eye Lifestyle that he would play the character of a pastor in the film.
“Mthulisi discovered a talent in me I did not imagine I possessed. Sometimes you tell yourself that you are only gifted in a certain field until people begin to notice other talents and gifts you have,” Gwala said.
“He approached me last year and said he was interested in me featuring in his new drama Mahlalela. I didn’t see any problem with that, but saw it as an opportunity to kill xenophobia in South Africa.
“If we come together as South Africans and Zimbabweans and begin to work together, we can fight xenophobia because I believe as Africans we are one. In the drama, I play the role of a pastor. This was not difficult for me as I am someone who loves going to church. I feel honoured to be part of this production. I have no doubt that Mahlalela will do exceptionally well both in the South African and Zimbabwean market,” he said.
Gwala said he had many other ideas in the pipeline and he would like to jointly collaborate with Zimbabwean artistes.
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An elated Moyo said the drama was created to unite South African and Zimbabwean artistes and would feature popular musician-cum-comedian Freddy “Kapfupi” Manjalima.
“I deliberately chose these prominent artistes from South Africa and Zimbabwe to unite the two countries. Gwala in some scenes speaks Shona while Kapfubi speaks Ndebele,” Moyo said.
“I have been writing scripts for more than eight years. Two years ago I decided to start producing and directing. In 2014, I produced a drama titled Phandile, which did not do well on the market. At the time I did not have enough funding and had to train the actors from my own pocket.
“I received support from Gwala and Kapfupi on the new drama and I am positive it will make a great impact and will do well on the market,” he said.
Mahlalela Part 1 series will be released in April.
The 80-minute drama was shot in Soweto and Harare. It is about a young man, Mahlalela, played by Moyo, who stays in his brother’s matrimonial house. This causes tension between the brother and his wife as she is not comfortable with the arrangement.
The brother, who is hiding his identity as a Zimbabwean and has South African identity documents, then asks his pastor (Gwala) to help Mahlalela get lodgings.
The pastor asks a fellow congregant and friend (Kapfupi), who opens his home to Mahlalela without informing his wife.
The wife beats Kapfubi up complaining that she cannot take care of a grown man.
