‘The Brave Ones’ on-air debut
FROM next week, Lotus FM radio drama will air a new 20-episode serial, The Brave Ones, which explores the Fees Must Fall student movement that rocked the country in 2016.
Written by Michael van Niekerk, the drama portrays experiences, growth and lessons learnt by three students involved in the campaign.
Their journey aims to take listeners through an exploration of other prejudices rife in the country and the greater social, cultural and political context which shapes these.
Seshen, Lisa and Nomfundo (played by Yusuph Kadoo, Caitlyn Goulding and Nomfundo Mkhize, respectively) are friends belonging to different race groups, who learn more about each other’s cultures and prejudices, and do some hard growing up in the process of trying to deal with, and challenge, these long-held schisms, which have defined South Africa’s social relations.
Drama producer Raeesa Mahomed, who has been at the helm since 2006, said: “As part of our public broadcasting mandate, we have always explored difficult and important issues while entertaining at the same time. I can confidently say that, in all my years as a drama producer, The Brave Ones is unique in its hard-hitting, unapologetic tackling of these issues, but in such an empathetic, relevant way that it will engage one from the first episode.
“I’m pleased that it is happening in this very important year for us – the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, which is also commemorated in the drama.”
Station manager Alvin Pillay said he was proud of this offering from the drama department. “Drama has always been popular on the station and this is one more quality serial. It speaks directly to our audience and our mandate, and explores a contemporary issue that has been making big news.”
The Brave Ones will be aired on Mondays at 9.45am and will be repeated at 9.45pm.