Following the news that e.TV’s first medical drama Durban Gen was coming to an end. The channel spent the month of March promoting the new soap that was set to take over the time slot. As such, the Lungelo Mpangase led-Nikiwe was confirmed as the take over programming.
The premise of the newly incoming soapie was shared as:
“Imagine inheriting all the wealth in the world, having power and influence in the palm of your hands, only to have it all stripped away from you by your own family. This story tells a tale of what it means to be “hood rich” following the lives of the Radebe family witnessing the rise and fall of a family empire based in the surrounds of Diepkloof Extension, Pimville and Orlando, Soweto.”
Executive produced by Lungile Radu and Thomas Gumede via their production company Parental Advisory, the soapie sees the two blend new and veteran talent as the list of talent includes the likes of veterans like MmeClementine Mosimane, Lorcia Cooper, Kenneth Nkosi and Israel Zulu.
All the while introducing new talent including the likes of the rest of the Radebe clan like second born Craig Nobela as Menzi and Slindokuhle Tshabalala as the youngest of the brood Mandisa “Mandy” Radebe. However, the biggest question is whether or not Nikiwe is worth the watch?
What to expect from Nikiwe episode one
On Sunday, 16 April 2023, e.TV hosted an exclusive Johannesburg premiere of Nikiwe at the Joburg Theatre. The event included the cast, crew, and members of the media all getting an opportunity to see the first episode of the soapie.
The first episode’s premise was already shared as it detailed how a death will infiltrate the Radebe family resulting in Lungelo as Nikiwe being left as the heiress of the Radebe family business. All the while introducing what is set to be the polarising character of MmeClementine as MaSibisi.
Therefore, watching the first episode will only tease the connections that will be the main storylines for the coming month at least. Hence, the biggest takeaway from the first will be the various relationships established. This includes:
Firstly, an introduction into the world of the story which is set in the surrounds of Diepkloof extension, Pimvilla and Orlando in Soweto, which is inspired by Thomas Gumede’s own experience of “hood rich” and the violence associated with living in the biggest township in South Africa.
Secondly, it establishes the complicated relationships of the main characters of the story. Whether it is Zandi Nhlapo as Miriam, a realistic housewife planning for days she might be single, or Muzi Mthembela as the patriarch Bhungane, who is a loving father but still a man nonetheless.
Then while fans get to see how the two eldest children of the Radebe family, Nikiwe and Menzi establish their individuality as carefree and sometimes rebellious young adults.
Lastly, it is the comical relief at meeting married couple Sketla and Dimakatso, played by Kenneth Nkosi and Liopelo Moloi respectively, they are the easily lovable couple who amidst all the drama will bring some comical relief to the serious world of the story.
As such, given that Nikiwe is scheduled to be a weekday soapie playing on the channel between Mondays and Fridays at 18:30. The true verdict of whether or not the story will be worth watching will come at the end of the first week of soapie which is on Friday, 21 April 2023.
