Leleti's next big move
New role for Leleti after Uzalo exit
While tears flowed freely for her character Manzuza Mdletshe at the shooting of her funeral on Uzalo, acting legend Leleti Khumalo unveiled her new drama on the other side of town.
Khumalo will star as the sophisticated MaZulu while being the executive producer of e.tv’s new daily drama Imbewu: The Seed, from April.
Khumalo was in high spirits and optimistic with her move. “In life we all need to grow, I’ve always wanted to produce. I have done acting all my life and now it’s time for me to grow. Opportunities are starting to open up here in KZN.”
Asked if she will watch her funeral on Uzalo, attended by dancer Zodwa Wabantu, radio legend Dudu Khoza, musicians Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Distruction Boyz, Khumalo said she still had no answer.
“I wondered if I would manage. They wanted the funeral to make the whole country mourn,” Khumalo said.
However, she revealed that she wouldn’t agree to film inside a coffin.
“It didn’t sit well with me, being in a coffin, not that I’m superstitious or that it would bring me bad luck, but it just didn’t sit well with me.”
Manzuza’s funeral service will be a joint one with Smangele’s, played by Sihle Ndaba.
They are both killed off the show’s fourth season episodes.
A statement from e.tv described Imbewu to be about family secrets and treachery as it focuses on families’ bonds through blood and spirit.
It also asks controversial questions that are relevant to all South African cultures as it unpacks the legacy between two brothers.
The drama is set in KwaZulu-Natal and the storyline stretches from vibrant urban spots such as Umlazi, Chatsworth ... all the way to the dusty streets of Nquthu.
The producers said the show will feature local up-and-coming actors plying their craft alongside legendary ones.
The series is produced by Grapevine Productions, a joint venture between Anant Singh’s Videovision Entertainment and Duma Ndlovu’s Word Of Mouth Productions.
“I ask myself if it’s real that I work with people such as Duma and Anant, who are known internationally? I quickly remind myself that this is my first time, and it is a perfect place to be – in between these two men. I’m going to learn so much,” Khumalo said.
“Producing and acting will be hectic but I have to wear the two caps. Shooting in KZN is perfect, the cast is perfect – it’s like a dream.”
General manager of e.tv Local Content, Ziyanda Mngomezulu, said: “One of e.tv’s commitments in 2018 is to invest in provinces beyond Gauteng.
“KwaZulu-Natal is the country’s fastest-growing province in the entertainment industry. We are honoured to be partnering with film and television greats in Singh, Duma Ndlovu and Khumalo.”