Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
SOUTH AFRICA-BASED veteran thespian Ernest Ndlovu, has announced plans to revive and reimagine his acclaimed telenovela series Isithembu, which captivated audiences in the early 2000s on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Television (ZBCtv).
Isithembu is a home-grown production that chronicles the life of a man, who finds no peace after marrying two wives. The series explores powerful themes such as loyalty, betrayal and witchcraft, while contrasting the lives of a traditionally groomed wife and a modern one — raising poignant questions about what truly defines a woman as “wife material”.
Ndlovu, who portrayed the lead character Mtshayazafe — an elderly man with one wife in his rural homestead and another in Bulawayo, where he worked — says he is eager to reimagine the series for a contemporary audience. He is open to collaborating with young creatives, believing that platforms like Netflix and MultiChoice may support the project if it is presented with originality and professionalism.
Part of his motivation to revisit the series stems from frustration over the original production, which he describes as a “wasted” effort and a “charity case”, as he did not earn any income from it.
“I wrote Isithembu and co-directed it. It had a beautiful storyline, but I feel it could have been executed better. Equipment was scarce, and we couldn’t afford professional tools or skilled personnel.
“Another reason I want to revive this production is that I never made any money from it — I was paid absolutely nothing. I need to revisit and reproduce it for a new audience because the concept remains strong,” Ndlovu said.
The actor, who recently featured in the South African epic series Shaka iLembe (Season 1) as King Jama, revealed that Isithembu is deeply personal, inspired by real-life experiences, particularly those involving witchcraft and polygamy.
“It’s a personal story. I’ve faced witchcraft in my own life and lost so much because of it. A lot of people can relate — witchcraft is still a serious problem in today’s society. Many are fighting spiritual battles and living under curses. That’s why the idea remains relevant.”
Reflecting on the Zimbabwean film industry, Ndlovu expressed admiration for the country’s untapped talent. However, he lamented the lack of authentic local storytelling, which he attributes to insufficient funding.
“There’s so much talent in Zimbabwe, but we aren’t telling our stories because there’s no funding. Sometimes foreign embassies fund local productions, but that often comes with conditions — you have to align your story with their agenda.
“To preserve and promote authentic Zimbabwean storytelling, the Ministry of Arts and Culture must allocate a dedicated budget for local filmmakers. We need to tell our stories truthfully, and no one can do that better than the people who’ve lived them.”
