Isiphetho - Destiny Explained

Genre:Drama
Telenovela
Country:South Africa
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:260
Producer:Zikona Anam Debese
Location:Media City, Johannesburg, South Africa
Camera:Multi-camera
Runtime:22-24 minutes
Company:BlackBrain Pictures
Network:e.tv
Last Aired:present

Isiphetho - Destiny is a South African television drama series created by Mandla N and Mpumelelo Nhlapho.[1] It is an e.tv original series produced by BlackBrain Pictures, and stars Mbalenhle Mavimbela, Upile uThixo Bongco, Tsholo Maseko, Kope Makgae, Gugu Gumede, Linda Sokhulu, Mjosty Mbhele, Thulani Mtsweni, Peter Mashigo, Nokwazi Dlamini, Chrispen Nyathi, Simangele Mhlongo and Sibusiso Sithole.[2]

Plot

Set in the fictional community of Mzimhlophe, the series follows four friends; Buhle (Mbalenhle Mavimbela), Mosa (Kope Magae), Portia (Tsholofelo Maseko) and Ntando (Upile uThixo Bongco). The four are connected by the tragic burning of a family restaurant which claimed the lives of Buhle's grandfather (who owned the restaurant), and a fifth friend.

Now in their thirties, the four reunite in the community, each with their own set of turmoil, haunted by their past. They decide to revive the restaurant that they had burnt down, in hopes of revitalizing the community and rewriting their destiny. With this journey comes past enemies, rivals and family, either ready to stand in their way or take over the business for themselves.[3]

Cast

Production

Development

The series comes after the cancellation of the telenovela Nikiwe.[9] Initially, e.tv planned to replace the series with the dramedy telenovela uBettina Wethu, which was acquired by e.tv for a fourth season from SABC 1 and Viu. However, after backlash from viewers, with a drop in figures, e.tv quicky shelved the series to sister channel eSeries,[10] while the main channel aired reruns of eKasi: Our Stories. On 4 March 2024 at 21:28, a "special announcement" from e.tv aired on the channel, announcing Isiphetho as the new telenovela.[11] [12]

Filming

Filming took place at Media City, the former Urban Brew Studios in Randburg, acquired by Mandla N.[13] According to news reports and an interview with Mandla N on Radio 2000, Mandla had just received the title deed to the studio, and the set for the series was built from scratch.[14] [15] [16]

Casting

Auditions were held nationwide for the series by Black Brain Pictures, starting in KwaZulu-Natal, at the Grace Community Church in Newcastle, on Saturday 13 January, and the Bat Centre in Durban on 14 January, followed by the Eastern Cape, on the 20th of January at The Athenaeum in Gqeberha.[17] Auditions for the 27th and the 28th took place in Limpopo at the Matora Office Complex in Seshego and the Newtown Music Factory in Johannesburg, Gauteng, respectively.[18] The cast was officially announced in March 2024, with Linda Sokhulu, Mjosti Mbhele, Mbalenhle Mavimbela and Gugu Gumede having lead roles.[19] [20] [21]

A 13-episode miniseries, titled Reimagine Your Destiny, premiered alongside the series, chronicling the audition process. Mandla N spearheaded the auditions, with other actors and stars from his current productions.

Music

The original music score is produced by BlackBrain Pictures and Mandla N, with composers and artists Jamela J Ross, Bongo Riot, Senzo Afrika, Henwood and Kurt Slabbert. Shibu Molomo performed the theme song for the title sequence.[22]

Broadcast

Before its television debut, the series was launched with an intimate crowd, including cast and crew members, on Sunday at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in Muldersdrift, Gauteng.[23]

Initially, the series was set to premiere on the 15th of April 2024 on e.tv.[24] The premiere date was then changed to 8 April 2024. The series was added to streaming service eVOD on the 6th of May.

Reception

e.tv, in a press release, stated that the series drew in 3.5 million viewers in its first episode.[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-03-15 . INTRODUCING ISIPHETHO - DESTINY AN ALL NEW LOCAL DRAMA WITH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AT ITS HEAR . 2024-08-15 . Actor Spaces . en-US.
  2. Web site: Isiphetho - Destiny e.tv . 2024-08-07 . www.etv.co.za . en.
  3. Web site: 2024-03-26 . Isiphetho - Destiny e.tv . 2024-08-07 . www.etv.co.za . en.
  4. Web site: 2024-04-15 . Isiphetho - Destiny The Cast e.tv . 2024-08-15 . www.etv.co.za . en.
  5. Web site: Ngenyane . Andiswa . Nokwazi drops mic for acting script . 2024-08-15 . Daily Sun . en-US.
  6. Web site: Import . Pongrass . 2024-03-27 . Actor makes cast in drama series . 2024-08-15 . South Coast Herald . en-US.
  7. Web site: The table is set and supper is served on e.tv's new telenovela Isiphetho: Destiny e.tv TVSA . 2024-08-15 . www.tvsa.co.za.
  8. Web site: Isiphetho: Destiny Starring Cast TVSA . 2024-08-15 . www.tvsa.co.za.
  9. Web site: Mandla N highjacks TV slot from Lungile Radu and Thomas Gumede . 2024-08-07 . www.zimoja.co.za . en.
  10. Web site: Mbatha . Nompumelelo Magagula and Mbali . uBettina Wethu’s future sketchy after move from SABC to e.tv . 2024-08-15 . City Press . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2024-03-01 . Special Announcement e.tv . 2024-08-15 . www.etv.co.za . en.
  12. Isiphetho - Destiny OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT . 2024-03-04 . ETV . 2024-08-15 . YouTube.
  13. Web site: Ngenyane . Andiswa . Mandla N to the rescue...again! . 2024-08-07 . Daily Sun . en-US.
  14. Web site: Mdaka . Zintle . 2024-06-10 . Mandla N raises the bar as he buys a film studio . 2024-08-15 . Bona Magazine . en-US.
  15. Web site: Ngcobo . Nokuthula . 2024-06-08 . Boss moves! Mandla N buys a film studio . 2024-08-15 . The South African . en-ZA.
  16. EP10 MANDLA N ON RADIO 2000 - BIG BREAKFAST SHOW Blackbrain, Lockdown, CitySesla, DiepCity, Isitha . 2024-06-12 . DJ Sbu . 2024-08-15 . YouTube.
  17. Web site: Langa . Jabulani . Mandla N opens doors for new talent . 2024-08-07 . Daily Sun . en-US.
  18. Web site: STUDENT . 2024-01-24 . AUDITIONS: Black Brain Pictures is looking for actors . 2024-08-07 . STUDENT SPAZA . en-US.
  19. Web site: Magagula . Nompumelelo . Mandla N introduces nine fresh faces on his new prime time show Isiphetho: Destiny . 2024-08-07 . City Press . en-US.
  20. Web site: Birjalal . Alyssia . 2024-03-12 . Linda Sokhulu helms the cast of the new telenovela, ‘Isiphetho: Destiny’ . 2024-08-07 . DFA . en-ZA.
  21. Web site: Birjalal . Alyssia . 2024-03-12 . Linda Sokhulu helms the cast of the new telenovela, ‘Isiphetho: Destiny’ . 2024-08-15 . DFA . en-ZA.
  22. Web site: Shibu Molomo Dazzles Viewers In New Telenovela – Mega Press . 2024-08-15 . www.megaartists.co.za.
  23. Web site: Magagula . Nompumelelo . Mandla N introduces nine fresh faces on his new prime time show Isiphetho: Destiny . 2024-08-15 . City Press . en-US.
  24. Web site: 2024-04-10 . TV with Thinus: Isiphetho: How e.tv communicated poorly for another new local show's launch. . 2024-08-12 . TV with Thinus.
  25. Web site: Seleme . Rae . 2024-04-10 . 'Isiphetho: Destiny' ratings soar on first episode . 2024-08-07 . The South African . en-ZA.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Isiphetho - Destiny".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.