“Nkalakatha: the Life of Mandoza” is a dramatization of Mandoza’s life from his humble beginnings, his meteoric rise to stardom, and the bittersweet years leading up to his untimely departure. This compelling biopic shows the human side of the South African icon and pays homage to a man who reigned as a true powerhouse in the South African entertainment scene, leaving an indelible mark during the earlier years of our young democracy.

BET Africa, renowned for being a beacon of light and a platform that elevates and celebrates black excellence, is honoured to present this momentous showcase, staying true to its commitment of providing a unifying space for the culture to be seen, heard, and celebrated. “Nkalakatha: the Life of Mandoza” stands as a testament to BET’s dedication to telling authentic stories that resonate with audiences, while promoting our African heroes on a global scale.

“Mandoza was a true icon, whose music transcended boundaries and united a nation. His magnetic presence and powerful lyrics resonated with people from all walks of life, breaking down racial divides and creating a sense of unity. It is imperative that we tell the stories of extraordinary heroes like Mandoza, who were larger than life and left an indelible mark on pop culture across the continent,” says Monde Twala, Senior Vice President & GM Paramount Africa & Lead BET International.

He adds, “through ‘Nkalakatha: the Life of Mandoza,’ we honour his legacy and celebrate his profound impact, reminding us all of the power of music, storytelling and the ability of individuals to bring people together,”

The role of Mandoza will be portrayed by the exceptional Wiseman Mncube, whose captivating performance brings the essence and spirit of the beloved musician to life. “Before shooting, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a few days in Zola, immersing myself in Mandoza’s world. Mpho Tshabalala Mandoza’s wife and Tumelo, his son were actively involved in the process, sharing a wealth of insights. The weight of portraying an icon was heavy on my shoulders. I felt a deep responsibility to honour his memory and pay homage to his legacy and I am honoured to have been chosen for the role.” said Wiseman.

Lorraine Moropa flawlessly embodies the role of Mandoza’s wife, Mpho Tshabalala, an integral force behind the realization of this biopic. Thandeka Dawn King portrays Nomazwe, capturing the significant moments in Mandoza’s journey; Lillian Dube plays Gogo, while Nkosinathi “Mzambiya” Khoza takes on the role of Sechaba “Lollipop”, adding depth to the narrative.

With the guidance and permission of Mpho Tshabalala, Mandoza’s widow, who serves as an Executive Producer, “Nkalakatha: the Life of Mandoza” offers an authentic portrayal of the legendary musician’s life, showcasing his immense talent, resilience, and the profound impact he had on countless lives. “This project was very close to my heart and is something I have been wanting to see come to life for quite some time,” she says.

Mandoza’s children have also actively participated in the production. They eagerly await the moment when their father’s story is shared with the world. The biopic is a co-production between Biopic Films, Pomegranate Media, BET Africa, the DTIC and executive producers Mpho Tshabalala, who is Mandoza’s widow and Vaughn Eaton, who was Mandoza’s manager. Directed by award winning director and producer, Zuko Nodada, “Nkalakatha: the Life of Mandoza” promises to be a journey of inspiration, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit.

The move is a testament to Paramount Africa adhering to audience demands for new, relatable content that resonates with audiences and speaks to the impact and global channel currency of the BET brand.  

In addition, the decision also implies that Paramount Africa will now be able to continue to execute its commitment to providing access to relevant stories and extending the authentic storytelling mantra by providing exclusive premium local and international content. 

“As the home of black excellence, the BET Africa channel is synonymous with showcasing the best African and African American stories. We are excited to be extending our audience reach as this means the stories will reach new and more viewers. This is not only good news for viewers but for the black entertainment industry as well, putting our work in the spotlight and growing our industry.” said Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager Paramount Africa and Peer Lead, BET International.

“MultiChoice has embraced ‘Africa to the world’ and ‘the world to Africa’ as a business philosophy, as such we strive to continually review our packages so as to continually curate a quality viewing experience of both quality local and international content. We are proud to expand the number of our customers that can enjoy the great BET experience and look forward to the continuation of the a great partnership between the Paramount team and the MultiChoice Group” said Georginah Machiridza, Executive Head: Content Strategy & 3rd Party Channels at MultiChoice Group.

BET Africa is the leading provider of black entertainment on the globe and provides a plethora of diverse programmes, including reality, entertainment, docu-series, and recently launched weekly original drama, Redemption, BET Africa’s biggest production of the year. 

Viewers will also have access to a slate of new and exclusive international programming, including the premiere of the scripted anthology music series Tales: Every Song Has A Story, the new family drama Carl Weber’s: The Black Hampton, and the highly anticipated celebration of hip hop culture, the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards, all premiering this October.

BET Africa will be available to DStv Access viewers from 7 October 2022 on channel 129.

“Culture Code reflects upon mainstream pop-culture and influence. The series aims to share modern day trends, lingo, expressions and behaviours. BET Africa is committed to ensure that culture is seen, heard and celebrated,” said Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Paramount in Africa.
 
Lootlove, Penny Lebyane, Moozlie, Robot Booi, and social media star, Phil Mphela, are just a few of the South African celebrities and influencers that will appear on Culture Code as contributors.
 
The 12-episode show will exclusively premiere on BET Africa on the 23^rd of April 2022, and continue to air every Saturday at 19:30 CAT. 
 
This April, be sure to tune in to BET Africa’s exclusive programming for the best in black entertainment on DStv Channel 129.