WeeklySA_AdminPRODUCTION: An authentic start for the upcoming SABC2 series as its crew rock up for a party at the iconic township that lent the TV drama its name…
By Jacob Mawela
Tuesday morning witnessed the reveal of the stellar ensemble featuring in the upcoming new SABC2 telenovela Pimville to the news media corps at the nightspot Piano Hub in Pimville, Soweto.
Touted by the national broadcaster and its creator Bakwena Productions as a series which will shine the light on the pulse of Soweto life – the show is poised to replace the long-running Muvhango in the 9pm slot from the evening of February 9 2026.
A concept of Brenda Muofhe, it morphed into a 582 crew-strong production when the ABC approached her entity Bakwena Productions to collaborate on the project.
Muofhe, in turn, approached the “story doctors” duo from Stop Nonsense Media, namely Sayitsheni Mdakhi and Lunga John Radebe, to lend their writing expertise – as head co-writers – to strengthen a story she’d already successfully pitched.
Attracted to the concept recognising Pimville as “the melting pot” of Soweto, Mdakhi was immediately hooked. The precious opportunity presented an exciting tw
ist to an earlier pageant stint, heady schooldays and career spanning 11 years as an SAA flight attendant, and later following his heart by going into acting and subsequently, directing and writing scripts.
He suggested: “The reason why SABC2 fell in love with this concept and the fact that we are bringing it back to the streets – if you look at most of the shows that were exciting in the 80s, were deeply rooted in language and would have elements of ‘ilokishi’ where you could have different cultures that have a kaleidoscope of cultures in one space.”
On the neighbourhood of Pimville being the location to the series named after it, Radebe confirmed: “Pimville is literally the character in the story, even Piano Hub is one of the main sets. The bulk of the look and feel of the space of the series is Pimville.”
Bakwena Productions MD and executive producer Rashaka Muofhe mischievously responded to his own query why a Tshiawelo-raised boy such as himself would volunteer to create a Pimville-based story, thus: “My dad used to flirt around in Pimville”.
Mentioning features which set the place apart from the rest of Soweto such as an indoor swimming pool and a golf course as some of the reasons his entity chose the neighbourhood, Muofhe summed up: “So that’s why we say, look Pimville is a story to tell – it’s a character in Soweto that shaped, shifted and made so many icons that have come out of Soweto and that’s why we are telling a story”.
One of the cast members present was Rhodes University drama graduate Michelle Mosalakae who portrays Zinzi Sithole – the young and wild wife with a proclivity for finer things in life who tries to capture an older man Vusi “Jobe” Sithole (played by actor Mondli Makhoba) for his money.
The Mabopane-born “storyteller” was the embodiment of resplendence in a red dress, hosiery, shoes and bag.
In response to the enquiry how she was recruited: “I was approached by one of the producers through one of my agents, but they had said that for a while, whilst creating the show, they had someone like me particularly in mind because of what they had seen me in previously, and they wanted to capture someone who brings weight to a character.
“I went in for casting and sooner after I got a call that they liked what they saw, and I guess the rest is history”.
Giving a glimpse of her screen character, Mosalakae offered: “I think she’s somebody who’ll probably make the viewers infuriated because they are going to see parts of themselves or people they might not agree with, in her – but I think that she’s innocently living life and sometimes she ends up stepping on people’s toes.
“But I don’t think that’s intentional, every step she takes, she wants to just see herself as successful and ambitious as possible.”
Mosalakae’s utterance resonates with what fellow cast member actor Thapelo Mokoena (who acts the part of Kenneth Tumagole) intoned regarding what’s in store for viewers: “Get ready to see yourself in the mirror”.
Another glamorous cast member is Galeshewe-born and erstwhile Olay model, Gail Mabalane, whose protagonist character, detective Phello Mohapi – according to Radebe’s hint – pursues a villain who happens to be her neighbour.
The Pimville crew also include seasoned actresses, Clementine Mosimane as Mme Mathapelo, the matriarch of wisdom, protector of traditions and keeper of secrets, and Lillian Dube as Rakgadi wa Freistata, a beloved elder whose wit, heart, and humour define the soul of Pimville.
Other familiar faces are Charmaine Mtinta as Aya; Matli Mohapeloa as Mmusi Mohapi; Keke Mphuthi as Naledi Tumagole; Fulu Modibedi as Rofhiwa Ndou; Jesse Suntele as MJ; Eve Rasimeni as Mo’Gurl; Sipho Ndlovu as Somfana “Demethi” Mazibuko; Mandla Gaduka as Quincy; and Thabo Malema as Jones.
Head of Content at SABC TV, Pimville-raised Lala Tuku partly spelt out the broadcaster’s future trajectory thus: “Pimville is not just a drama. It is a declaration that SABC 2 is embracing a new creative energy – one grounded in truth, in community, and in a modern South African voice”.
Tuku said that in order to tell a story as layered as Pimville, a cast which could hold emotional weight, cultural nuance and character complexity was needed, adding that the iconic township is the first chapter of SABC2’s shift into a new era which reflects who South Africans are today.
As a telenovela, Pimville will represent a shift from the long-form format – as Muvhango is – to the shorter version entailing a complete story arc.
‘Twas razzmatazz converging with pizzazz, indeed, with the venue’s huge screens flashing the name of the telenovela comprising images of the Soweto Towers, substituting the letter I – as well as a parade of loud-revving 1980s BMW 3-series sedans outside, ready zip around the hub in circles!
