A slice of life
Aubrey Poo discusses season 3 of telenovela The Estate, which introduces new characters and mirrors society.
What was once a serene and gated suburban community of Echelon Estate in Gauteng is now turned into a battleground when season 3 of telenovela The Estate starts on Monday 18 July. After the courts ruled in favour of the neighbouring Thembalethu residents in season 2, property mogul Muzi Phakathwayo (Sdumo Mtshali) – who stole their land to build his empire – faked his death and fled South Africa to avoid answering for his crimes.
Following Muzi’s departure, his business partner, cousin and corrupt politician Castro Kamanga (Aubrey Poo) is at the centre of a scandal as the Thembalethu residents attempt to invade Echelon Estate. On top of that, he faces a fallout from the R10 billion failure of the building project. “Castro finds himself in hot water now that the people of Thembalethu have won the land. If he doesn’t end the protest and settle his debt, all hell will break loose for him,” explains Aubrey. Castro will hire a professional fixer to manage his scandal and revive his political career. “It’s going to be an intense season,” teases Aubrey.
NEW SEASON, NEW FACES
Besides Castro’s scandal, season 3 introduces the Nobengela family. After a near-to death experience, political fixer Melisizwe (Dumisani Mbebe, Don in drama series Savage Beauty) and his interior designer wife Noxolo (Lerato Mvelase, Sibongile in soapie Isibaya) and their children arrive in Echelon to start on a clean slate. As the season progresses, the truth about their relocation will come to the fore. “There will be fascinating challenges for the existing characters and for the new faces as well, which makes for an interesting dynamic in our already colourful story world,” explains Aubrey.
REFLECTING SOCIETY
The Estate went on production break after airing season 2 in April this year. “A break gives time for crucial work to be done in the writing room and to iron out contractual niggles. It’s a necessary breather that we all needed to reflect, rejuvenate and prepare,” explains the actor, adding that season 3 will shine a light on current topics such as load-shedding, land reform issues, corruption and injustice. “We see the deeper ‘crisis of governance’ rear its ugly and devastating head on the characters, which puts our narrative right in the centre of SA’s socio-politics.”
PREVIOUSLY
Castro helped Muzi Phakathwayo fake his death and skip the country to avoid being arrested, Jo tried to get to the bottom of a murder case, and Lwandle sought justice for Dumisani Mokobane and his family.
IN THIS ISSUE
The residents at Echelon Estate are concerned when members of the Thembalethu community stage a protest outside their estate, Lwandle makes an unusual request to assist the Mokobanes, and a couple receive an alarming threat following an incident at their child’s school. Castro battles to put out fires from the protest, tensions rise between Echelon’s residents and the Thembalethu community, and the Phakathwayos are taken back by Lwandle’s suggestion. Castro desperately hires a professional fixer to help him solve his problems, Zodwa encourages Mohau to join the protest, and Lwandle is convinced that she is cursed.
The police attempt to disperse the Thembalethu residents from Echelon Estate, Lwandle seeks advice to help her get rid of the black cloud that’s surrounding her, and a man is forced to flee his home. Castro’s efforts to end the protest fail, a couple are met with a deadly surprise, and disaster takes place at the protest. Castro takes action after his character is attacked on TV, a new family arrive in Johannesburg, and the protest comes to a tragic end. Chantelle delivers upsetting news to Suzaan, Mmakoena fears for her life after the protesters retreat, and Sindi demands Dumisani to do the unthinkable to solve their problems.