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After what seemed like television shows’ cancelling spree, etv has introduced two new shows to replace Imbewu: The Seed and Durban Gen.
The channel launched Nikiwe as well as Smoke & Mirrors on Sunday evening at the Joburg Theatre.
Nikiwe is executive produced by Thomas Gumede and Lungile Radu who own Parental Advisory Productions. It is their first telenovela.
READ: Smoke and Mirrors to replace e.tv's Imbewu: The Seed
Among others, the show features Lungelo Mpangase, Muzi Mthabela, Kenneth Nkosi and Israel Matseke Zulu. Nikiwe tells a tale of what it means to be “hood rich” following the lives of the Radebe family.
Mpangase, who just played Xoli on The Wife, bagged herself a lead role as Nikiwe. She said she had mixed emotions about the opportunity.
Mpangase stated:
But after seeing half of the first episode of Nikiwe, I am not sure if I am looking forward to it, as it looks like something I've seen before, but I'll give it a chance, nonetheless.
The second new local drama is the star-studded Smoke & Mirrors, which will take over the 9pm slot from April 17.
The amazing cast includes Ayanda Bandla, Zinhle Mabena, Meshack Mavuso, who was on the recently canned Durban Gen, Zolisa Xaluva, whose last telenovela was Gomora, actress and radio presenter Lusanda Mbane, as well as Siya Raymond and Charmaine Mtinta.
“Thandiswa is multifaceted. She’s got so many different layers to her and I think naturally as women, we have many layers to us. I had to understand the different layers that she comes in, and I had to find a way to relate and connect to every layer,” said Bandla about her character.
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Xaluva said playing Ceasar was difficult at first because he wasn’t any different from the one he played on Kings of Joburg and The Queen.
He said:
Nikiwe and Smoke & Mirrors both premiere on Monday evening, occupying the 6:30pm and 9pm slot, respectively.
