The actors of “Redemption,” a brand-new daily drama on BET Africa, gathered on Wednesday evening to celebrate the premiere of the network’s original production.
In keeping with the drama series’ themes, guests showcased their looks on the red carpet while dressed in gangster drip and their Sunday best.
With her tilted white bucket hat and crimson tie, actress Tina Jaxa, who plays Evelyn Zikode, arrived looking like a true “guluva.”
Kwanele Mthethwa, who is stunning, looked like Faith Zikode from “Pastor Kid” in a pink dress with fur on the sleeves and hemline.
Yonda Thomas, Luthando Mthembu, and Sparky Xulu, the male cast members, also made sure to turn up the heat on the red carpet.
Rapper K.O performed a number of his hip hop hits, including “Skhanda Love,” “Umhlobo Wam,” and his most recent mega song, “Sete,” which features Blxckie and Young Stunna, for the media launch’s attendees.
Nomalanga Shozi and Naledi “Leddi G” Radebe, presenters for BET Africa, oversaw the evening’s events.
Prior to Monday’s premiere, guests were also given access to an early viewing of the first episode of “Redemption.” The episode undoubtedly energized the audience for the next drama.
After the screening, a panel discussion with Shozi as the moderator explored the show’s credo, “God for us all, Guluva for himself,” with cast members Jaka, Thomas, Themba Ndaba, Sthandiwe Kgoroge, and Mthethwa.
The strange disappearance of Simon (Ndaba), the leader of the Zikode family, is the main focus of the “Redemption” narrative.
Ndaba’s depiction as Brutus in the drama “The Queen,” which is ending next year, has made him famous with South African viewers.
Viewers will witness the actor play a very different persona in “Redemption” than the booze-loving, gun-toting Brutus. The pastor of a large church, Simon Zikode, is a native English speaker.
The actor has already starred in other productions while filming “The Queen,” so this is nothing new.
Given the short appearance of Ndaba in “Gomora” and the fact that his character in the daily drama received death signals, one wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume a pattern. Ndaba was murdered in the first episode.
Ndaba questioned, “How certain are you that he’s going to pass away?
According to Xulu, a traumatic occurrence like death triggers a series of subsequent events, which is why narrative may get entwined with it since it gives characters the opportunity to express their needs quickly.
Ndaba clarified this interpretation by saying: “This plot is being spun using death to leave the audience wondering, “What is happening?” in between episodes. You’ll remain because you’re curious about what’s happening.”
The actor said that his co-star Kgoroge is a crucial component of the viewers’ “what’s going on” explanation. He promised that while the audience would predict the result, they will be astonished when things go wrong.
“They’ll be asking, “What?” We didn’t even anticipate it, “Jaxa said.
The actors remained mum about plot specifics, but Modiadie said that what surprises her about her character Yvonne is the extent she would go to.
“She is a dedicated wife of Zwelakhe, a pastor’s son. They make a wonderful marriage and like one another, but what I find shocking about Yvonne is the extent she would go to make sure her husband achieves his full potential for her personal advantage. So it comes as a surprise when she does what she does in the tale.”
Modiadie is assuming her acting persona. She has played two roles so far this year. She had a starring role in “Entangled” before. She has had time to further her acting career since leaving radio, which enables her to appear in lengthier formats.
She said she knew the general public may just think of her as a radio host and MC, so she had a point to make since she is more than that and can act.
According to emerging star Mthethwa, everyone on the set got along like a “happy family.” The cast includes established performers like Ndaba, Jaxa, and Seputla Sebogodi as well as up-and-coming actors like Mthethwa, Modiadie, Toka Mtabane, and N’kone Mametja.
Mametja expressed her excitement and gratitude for becoming a part of the drama series while being in shock that she had been cast as Refilwe in “Redemption.”
Cast members were able to learn from one another and feed off of one other. Ndaba even mentioned learning a few things from Mthethwa in their opening scene, which takes place at a nightclub.
Everyone carried out their tasks as soon as the cameras started to roll. Jaxa said that she used a spiritual channel to communicate with her persona in order for it to lead and enable her to assume control of Evelyn.
Ndaba said that at the first script reading, everyone resembled kindergarteners learning to read as they struggled to understand who their roles were.
Jaxa said that she is incorporating aspects of herself to her own personal life as a result of the lessons her character Evelyn learned. The renowned actress has been a part of the business for a while and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
The Bible text that kept things going on “Redemption” set was Proverbs 31. There is undoubtedly disagreement in the world of pastors and the church.
The movie “Redemption” will offer light on how bad behaviors like greed and corrupt behavior are always punished.
Thabang Moleya, Nozipho Nkelemba, and Athi Petela worked together on “Redemption,” a Burnt Onion and Seriti Films production.
The BET Africa original production will premiere on television on September 26 at 6 p.m. on BET Africa (DStv channel 129). Additionally, it will be shown on the free-to-air channel etv.