SA production seeks siSwati-speaking actors
MBABANE – South African (SA) film and series company Bomb Productions is looking for siSwati-speaking actors who have a dream of being discovered.
Bomb Productions is a reputable production company that is the brains behind famous films and series such as Yizo Yizo, Zone 14, Jacobs Cross, Isibaya, Shuga, Ayeye, The Road, Isithembiso, House of Zwide, and Shaka iLembe, to name a few.
They are based in Gauteng, and are currently running a casting call that is set to end on February 23.
This was revealed through a post made on their Instagram page last week, where they also exhausted the requirements for one to be admitted to the casting call. “Bomb is looking for siSwati-speaking actors.
Fact
‘‘Females from the ages of 18–50 and males from the ages of 25–35,” read the post. An interested candidate is required to email one portrait and full-length image without filters, plus a 20–30 second video where they will have to reveal their names, where they live, and one interesting fact about them.
When doing this video, all applicants are urged to use SiSwati. All the listed information should be emailed to ‘CASTING@THEBOMB.CO.ZA’, and the deadline for applications is set for February 23.
Shaka iLembe producers spotted at Buganu Festival
Meanwhile, Shaka iLembe producers were spotted during the Buganu Festival, which was held the past weekend at Buhleni Royal Residence. The Art Director of Shaka iLembe, named Texture, disclosed that they are doing research on local culture so that they can incorporate it into the series.
In an interview at the first leg of this year’s Marula Festival at Buhleni
Royal Residence, Texture said she and her team were in the country to be exposed and get first-hand information about the emaSwati way of life.
She said the exposure and the firsthand information would help them get the real facts about the country and its people before they could include some information in Shaka iLembe Season 2.
Visit
“When you say something about people’s culture and their way of life, it is important that you get everything right, hence our visit to Eswatini today. We have found Eswatini to be the best country to reflect on African history dating back to 1818–1823. The country is so special, which is why it is still called a kingdom,” said Texture. Worth noting is that Shaka Zulu was among the African leaders who laid the foundation for a traceable culture that had been inherited up to this point, just like Eswatini.
She said her research had shown that African history had been manipulated, yet there was a need for the African people to be comfortable with their norms. She said even though history could not be 100 per cent correct, it was better to get something closer to the truth.
She shared that, while in the country, they had the opportunity to join the Lutsango regiment during the presentation of crops, fruit, vegetables and marula brew, among other gifts, to the Queen Mother. Texture said the exposure was a great experience for them as they had first-hand information about the presentation of the gifts.
Crew
She said the crew also learned how emaSwati handled themselves and behaved whenever with Their Majesties or even when on their own.
“Surely history has not been forgotten in Eswatini. It is important to get the real facts before you can tell a story about the people.
‘‘History will help us understand where we come from, where we are going, and where we are as Africans,” she said.
Texture said Eswatini was blessed to have a culture that brought people together for a common belief. She stated that a country and unity would never be created without a belief. She added that a nation with a common belief was a nation with sympathy. Texture said her team had a lot to do with the information before they included something about emaSwati in Shaka iLembe Season 2. She shared that some of her team members were dancing with the regiments to get the feel of the dance, while others were engaging with the people. Also present at the event was Ligwalagwala Frequency Modulation (FM) host Dumisane Simelane, popularly known as Madumane who became a centre of attraction to those who knew him. Among those attracted to Simelane was Prophet Vusumuzi Major V Dlamini.