Focus on Fundi Zwane
COVID-19: TV SERIES LIKE IMBEWU MAY RETURN TO PRODUCTION SOON
Content of popular series precipitates necessary social conversations.
The TV industry has – like many other sectors – been deeply affected by the Covid-19 lockdown, and most productions will only be able to return to work from next week.
In the meantime, Fundi Zwane – who stars as Priscilla Bhengu on the e.tv series Imbewu: The Seed – and the rest of the cast have been dealing with the pandemic like most South Africans, by “staying home and staying safe”.
The 34-year-old actress and content creator said: “Staying home has been a time of deep introspection for me and seeing our country rally together has made me feel proud to be born in this time as a citizen of humanity.”
She admits that 2020 has come with a myriad of challenges for her. So, with the year almost halfway through, how does Zwane see the rest of the year progressing for her?
“It’s made the canvas interesting. So many of us are anxious, understandably, but I’m excited to see what art we can make of the ashes left by Covid-19 and its legacy.”
Hopefully, the series will be returning to screens after the lockdown.
Zwane has been playing the character since the inception of the series in 2018. The KwaZulu-Natal native first appeared on our screens as Rethabile in the popular TV soapie Generations.
She has landed a number of roles on TV. And she also runs her content creation and ideation company which has created shows like, Living Lit with@Fundi_Zwane, on the online space.
Zwane said that Imbewu’s production being in Durban has ensured the city stays in the map and “has given the world a glimpse of what this beautiful city has to offer”.
She added: “I believe the show has done well in capturing the aesthetic landscape of Durban and its subculture. It’s refreshing.”
Awarded the Most Popular Soap/Telenovela at the 2020 South African Film and TV Awards (Safta), Imbewu: The Seed has finally gotten all the recognition it deserves.
“It feels amazing and gratifying. The Imbewu cast and crew work so hard and I believe this is just a testimony of men and women who are committed to contributing in telling a beautiful African story,” said Zwane.
This was the first time the Saftas were live streamed because of the restrictions that come with the lockdown.
So, the cast couldn’t be in one place but that did not deter Zwane from reacting with extreme joy.
“I froze, screamed then called my manager, Justin Nanak, who also screamed.
“I was thrilled. So much hard work. So much joy”.
About the popularity of Imbewu: The Seed, Zwane said: “We
Africans are identifying with narratives that address issues that speak to our lived experiences.
“I believe that is what the show does, its content precipitates necessary social conversations in a manner that is unique and relatable and that’s what I believe the audience has had to enjoy.”
– Citizen reporter