Royal ructions
Lies, mines and more cause chaos in what was a peaceful kingdom in new telenovela The Throne.
There’s no such thing as a fairytale kingdom on television. Throw in fights over mining rights and the throne and you’ve got a recipe for telenovela drama on The Throne (2018- current) with mystery and intrigue adding to the storytelling. The kingdom of BaTswana has been a peaceful place to live for many years. Its people have known no wars, there’s never been a question about the ruling family, nor has there been envy from the subject towards their leader, who’s enjoyed the spoils of her title.
But that is thrown out the window when the telenovela begins on Monday 30 July – wealthy mineral deposits are found in the kingdom and, of course, everyone wants their piece. That spins a wicked web of lies, backstabbing, betrayal and more around not only the kingdom of BaTswana, but its ruler too. Suddenly everyone’s looking at Queen Mosadi (Monnye Kunupi) and questioning if she is meant to be in charge or if someone else from her family should be sitting on the throne. Queen Mosadi’s “little” brother Moseki (Don Mlangeni, Detective Dhlomo on Uzalo, 2015- current) feels that he’s the rightful ruler despite having betrayed his king father many years ago. Mosadi was then given the throne as punishment to a resentful Moseki, who then founded his own rival kingdom nearby. Now that they’re both adults with grown-up children, Moseki has returned to go to war with his sister – and it’s not going to be pretty.
ROYAL ROLL CALL
(Jerry Phele) may come across as the village joker who doesn’t take life too seriously, but behind his wise old eyes lies way more information, knowledge and understanding of the royal family and kingdom than anyone realises.
(Seipati Motshwane) knows who really should be sitting on the throne but keeping that secret means a safer kingdom for everyone.
(Tsholo Matshaba, Meme on Muvhango, 1997- current) is the silently jealous younger sister of Queen Mosadi.
(Tshegofatso Seakgoe) is the Queen’s youngest daughter who prefers to have an independent lifestyle and doesn’t worry about materialistic things.
has taken her kingdom from relatively unknowns to leaders in their various industries. But it’s come at a price…
(Lerato Zah Moloi) is the Queen’s eldest daughter who is as beautiful as she is ambitious. In her mind, she’s next in line when it comes to ruling the kingdom.
(Kabelo Moalusi) is the Queen’s sole male heir and he fits in awkwardly between his two sisters. That doesn’t mean he isn’t keeping an eye on things, in case an opportunity arises that he can’t ignore.
is the Queen’s younger brother who has a problem with her rule. He wants to see her empire collapse and he’s targeting her international herbal tea brand Kwena Tea to do it. And (Keke Mphuthi) is Moseki’s daughter who doesn’t quite know where she fits into this royal mess.