SABC3 drama set in Durban
A NEW local drama series called Fallen, focusing on a Durban music producer who owns a harbour venue, is scheduled to start at 9pm today on SABC3.
The focus is on Mvelo Nobela, a young music producer who inherits his father’s Durban business empire and is faced with the challenge of uncovering the mystery of his mother and grandfather’s disappearance 20 years earlier.
His journey takes him into the world of Rana-Churchill, a privately owned sugar mill, where there is already conflict between the younger and older generations of its owners.
He forms an alliance with Anil Rana, son of one of the owners – and the ensuing power struggle is intensified, turning vicious when the digging of foundations for a new mill uncovers human remains, later identified as those of Mvelo’s mother and grandfather.
Fallen presents worlds in conflict. On one hand is the established world of old money, privilege and power represented by Rana-Churchill, private owners of a sugar mill and the cane fields that surround it.
On the other hand is Nobela, youthful heir to the Durban business empire of his late father.
“Mvelo is a hip, urban, up-andcoming music producer. It is his style and energy that sets much of the tone and defines the visual approach and sound design of the story, as he takes on the establishment and seeks to overthrow it,” says a spokesman for SABC3.
“In the story, upmarket Durban and rural KZN become characters themselves. Mvelo’ s club, Anil’s yacht and the big city bustle are contrasted with the lush green opulence of Rana-Churchill and the elegant homes of its owners.
“A further element is the noise and dust of the mill that never sleeps and relentlessly employs more than 300 workers, many of whom live in a nearby township.
“This setting is part of the rich masala that makes up the uniquely South African world of Fallen.”
Yonda Thomas fills the lead role of Nobela, while also among the cast are Mbali Ntuli, Joquin Leyn Pillay, Jennifer Steyn, Claire Gordon Webster, Xolile Tshabalala, Owen Sejake, Afzal Khan, Gabisile Tshabalala, Khulu Skenjana, Muzi Clive Ngwenya, S’thandiwe Kgoroge, Ronnie Nyakale and Nomsa Xaba.