WeeklySA_AdminTRILOGY: In a rare collaboration, Durban-born Bheki Mkhwane teams up with renowned Afro-American family to produce locally filmed Christmas comedy…
By Funeka Bambalele
Thespian Bheki Mkhwane has landed a role in an international film A Wesley of South African Christmas. The Christmas-comedy film was filmed in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal. It will be screened on BET international.
A Wesley South African Christmas is part of Wesley Trilogy which consists of three Christmas films following the Wesley family, an affluent African-American household in Washington, D.C.
The South African version is set against the vibrant backdrop of Durban, South Africa. This ground-breaking film unites American and South African talent, both in front of and behind the camera, bridging the gap between the global Black community and fostering dialogue, understanding, and unity by fusion of cultures coming together to create meaningful project.
It follows the intertwining lives of two families, a Zulu family, the Dlaminis and America’s favourite holiday-loving family, the Wesley’s, coupled with the backdrop of the festive Christmas season in Durban.
Mkhwane plays a supportive role of Mr Dlamini, a retired lawyer who ran his own law firm. Since he has retired, he has handed over the running of the firm to his daughter Gugu Dlamini, portrayed by Ayanda Bandla, and son Themba Dlamini, played by Jesse Suntele.
American featured actors include Terayle Hill, Dorien Wilson, TC Carson, Kiki Haynes, Rolonda Rochelle, Judi Johnson, Chazitear, Novi Brown and Emmy Award-winning actress, Jasmine Guy. Other SA stars include Baby Cele, Dineo Langa, Bohang Moeko, Trevor Gumbi and Nay Maps.
Mkhwane, who has shone in each and every TV and stage role he portrayed, is excited to play the role of a retired lawyer in the South African/American film.
Apart from a sterling acting career, Mkhwane is a film director, producer, and playwright, famous for his role of Samson in Mzansi Magic’s Isibaya telenovela. The Samson character was the Ndlovu clan’s head and Mandla’s brother (played by Bongani Gumede). According to online news outfit Briefly, Ellis Pearson and Bheki Mkhwane have produced and featured in numerous stage plays, including Ilobola, A Boy Called Rubbish, Kaboom, and Skadonk.
He was born and raised in KwaMashu township in Durban. He was a football player before the late legendary Soweto playwright Gibson Kente inspired him to pursue an acting career.
Speaking to WSAM, Mkhwane said: “I play Mr Dlamini, a retired lawyer. In the film, Mr Dlamini hands over the reins to his son and daughter. His son has studied in America and has befriended a student there.
The son has this business idea of venturing into selling technology applications. So, he decides to invite Americans and sit with them about the idea he has.
“This happens around the 23rd and 24th of December in South Africa. Because of the delay in signing of the contract, Americans want to go home and come back after Christmas. But the son suggests that they spend Christmas in South Africa. Then the whole of Wesley descended to KwaZulu-Natal.
Mr Dlamini decides to take them to Nelson Mandela’s statue in Howick, Pietermaritzburg and to the Zulu Palace.”
Bree West, creator, writer and executive producer at Octet, a Washington DC based production company, fell in love with South Africa during a visit last year.
“Chuck and I committed to coming back and filming an inspirational project located in the region that celebrates the people of the region. We gave ourselves a 12-month period.
Despite the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, we upheld our commitment to return and bring jobs, and that’s exactly why we’re here now filming.”
