‘Redemption’ cast brought their A-game to the SA launch
ON WEDNESDAY night the cast of BET Africa’s new daily drama Redemption came together for the launch of the channel’s original production.
Guests were dressed in gangster drip and their Sunday best in line with the themes of the drama series and strutted their looks on the red carpet.
Actress Tina Jaxa, who portrays the character of Evelyn Zikode came dressed looking like a real “Guluva” with her tilted white bucket hat and red tie.
The beautiful Kwanele Mthethwa dazzled in a pink number, which had fur on the arms and hemline, looking like her Pastor Kid character Faith Zikode.
The male cast members Yonda Thomas, Luthando Mthembu and Sparky Xulu also made sure to bring the heat to the red carpet.
At the media launch guests were treated to a performance by rapper KO, who performed his hip hop classics, Skhanda Love, Umhlobo Wam and his new smash hit Sete featuring Blxckie and Young Stunna.
Proceedings of the night were handled by BET Africa presenters Nomalanga Shozi and Naledi “Leddi G” Radebe.
Guests were also treated to an exclusive screening of the first episode of Redemption ahead of its debut on Monday. The episode certainly got the audience amped for the drama that lies ahead.
After the screening, a panel discussion chaired by Shozi was held where cast members Jaka, Thomas, Themba Ndaba, Sthandiwe Kgoroge and Mthethwa unpacked the show’s motto “God for us, Guluva for himself”.
The synopsis of Redemption is centred on the mysterious disappearance of Simon (Ndaba), the Zikode family head.
Ndaba has gained huge popularity among South African audiences for his portrayal of Brutus in the telenovela The Queen, which is coming to an end next year.
On Redemption viewers will see the actor portray a character completely different to the alcohol-loving, gun-toting pastor of a mega church, and he speaks fluent English.
This is not the first time the actor has appeared in another production while on The Queen.
Ndaba briefly appeared in Gomora, but was killed in the first episode, with hints of death aimed at his character in the daily drama, one wouldn’t be wrong for assuming a trend.
“How sure are you that he’s going to die?” asked Ndaba.
Xulu said an event like death sets off a chain of events and this is why storytelling sometimes binds itself to it as it allows for characters to express what they need in a short space of time.
Ndaba said: “What is being done here is to use death to spin a story in a way that says, ‘What is going on?’ between the episodes. You’re going to stay because you want to know what’s going on.”
The actor said his co-star, Kgoroge, is a key element to the answer of “what’s going on” that viewers will have. He assured that the audience would make assumptions about the outcome but would be surprised when things unravel.
“They’re going to be like, ‘What? We didn’t even see it coming’,” added Jaxa.
While the cast was tight-lipped so as to not give away any details, Modiadie said what surprised her about her character, Yvonne, is the lengths she is willing to go to.
“She’s a devoted wife to Zwelakhe who is a pastor’s kid; a great couple who love each other, but what I
think is surprising about Yvonne is the lengths that she would go through to ensure that her husband becomes the best that he can be, for her own benefit. So what she does in the storyline as it unfolds is surprising.”
Modiadie is finding her form as an actress and this is her second role of the year. She previously starred in Entangled. Being away from radio has given her time to further her acting career allowing her to be in a longform
format.
She said she was aware the public may only view her as an MC and radio presenter, so she had a point to prove as she is more than that and can act.
Everyone on the set got on well, like one “happy family”, said rising star Mthethwa. The cast comprises experienced actors such Ndaba, Jaxa and Seputla Sebogodi and emerging talent such as Mthethwa, Modiadie and newcomers Toka Mtabane and N’kone Mametja.
Mametja, still in awe that she bagged the role of Refilwe in Redemption, said she was very excited and grateful to be a part of the drama series.
Cast members were able to feed off each other and also learnt things from each other. Ndaba even remarked about picking up a thing or two from Mthethwa from their first scene together, which is set in a nightclub.
When the cameras got rolling everyone executed the job at hand. Jaxa said she channelled her character spiritually in order for it to guide and
allow her to take ownership of Evelyn.
Ndaba said on the first script read everyone was like a little kid in school who was learning to read as they all tried to figure out who their characters really were.
Jaxa said through learning about her character, Evelyn, there are even traits of her that are now adding into her own personal life.
The legendary actress has been in the industry for years and shows no signs of slowing down.
Proverbs 31 is the Bible verse that kept things alive on the set of Redemption. The world of pastors and the church is certainly one that is not without controversy. Redemption will lift the lid on greed, corrupt deeds and evil sins and how they never go unpunished.
Redemption is a collaborative project between Burnt Onion and Seriti Films and is directed by Thabang Moleya, Nozipho Nkelemba and Athi Petela.
The BET Africa original production will make its debut on the small screen on September 26 on BET Africa (Dstv channel 129 ) Monday to Thursday at 6pm. It will also air on the free-to-air channel e.tv.