adminThe mix of crime and love and corruption and freedom that has come in the wake of the birth of democracy in South Africa takes the spotlight in a brand new drama series on Mzansi Magic. Saints and Sinners, a 13-part drama kicks off in August and is a gripping family drama centred on the lives of two very different families, living in Johannesburg.
Inspired by a quote by Nelson Mandela (“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”) Saints and Sinners focuses on the new struggle faced by South Africans – an inner quest that revolves around economic freedom, issues of identity, the fall of traditional family structures, and lack of cohesion within the nucleus and community at large.
The two families at the heart of Saints and Sinners represent this struggle in such a compelling way that the series is likely to become essential viewing alongside other homegrown Mzansi Magic dramas like Rockville, Isibaya and Zabalaza.
One of these families is the upwardly mobile Khumalos. Headed by matriarch Mamohato and her two attractive daughters, Phindi and Boni, the Khumalo family lives in the upmarket suburb of Bassonia.
The other family is that of hard-working Lulama and Thabang Moloiswa who live in a modest home in the township of Diepkloof in Soweto, with their adored son, 12-year-old Tshepiso. The Khumalo and Moloiswa families present two contrasting South African ideals.
Driven by a fear of poverty, the Khumalos’ aspirations appear to be entirely materialistic and they are not averse to bending the law to achieve their ends. Meanwhile, the Moloiswas’ driving force is to alleviate poverty in their community and to share their knowledge and expertise to create better conditions for all.
But their altruism will be sorely put to the test during the course of the series when they suffer a cruel tragedy, while the self-serving Khumalos will come to realise that material wealth does not compensate for poverty of the soul.
The first episode of Saints and Sinners sets the scene for the series when an armed robbery sets off a tragic chain of events that will tear both families apart.
Viewers will follow the drama as the characters respond to the choices in front of them; the choices that determine the arc of their own journey and those of the people that surround them. The show stars a superb line-up of acting talent, including, Nthati Moshesh (Scandal!), Tumisho Masha (Isibaya/ The Wild), S’dumo Mtshali (The Wild), and Tshepo Maseko (Isidingo) to name a few.
Don’t miss the premiere on Sunday 3 August at 20:00 on Mzansi Magic, DStv Channel 161. – DStv.
Online Reporter