TUESDAY morning witnessed the reveal of the stellar ensemble featuring in the upcoming new SABC2 telenovela, Pimville, to the news media corps at the nightspot Piano Hub in Pimville amidst fitting razzmatazz.
Touted by the national broadcaster and its creator Bakwena Productions as a series which will shine light on the pulse of the Soweto township’s life – the show is poised to replace the long-running Muvhango in the 9pm slot, from the evening of February 9, 2026.
A concept of Brenda Muofhe, it morphed into a 582 crew-strong production when the SABC approached her entity Bakwena Productions to collaborate on the project.
Muofhe in turn approached the “story doctors” duo from Stop Nonsense Media, viz Sayitsheni Mdakhi and Lunga John Radebe, to lend their writing expertise – as head co-writers – towards the strengthening of a story she’d already successfully pitched.
Attracted to the concept recognizing Pimville as “the melting pot” of Soweto, Mdakhi – who has had to “go through the university of life”, from being a pageant king in his schooldays to spending 11 years as an SAA flight attendant, before following his heart by going into acting and subsequently, directing and writing scripts – was immediately hooked onto the project.
He suggested: “The reason why SABC2 fell in love with this concept and the fact that we are bringing it back to the streets – if you look at most of the shows that were exciting in the 80s, were deeply rooted in language and would have elements of ‘ilokishi’ where you could have different cultures that have a kaleidoscope of cultures in one space.”
Chipping in on the neighbourhood of Pimville being the location of the series named after it, Radebe confirmed: “Pimville is literally the character in the story, even Piano Hub is one of the main sets. The bulk of the look and feel of the space of the series is Pimville.”
MD and Executive Producer at Bakwena Productions, Rashaka Muofhe mischievously responded to his own query why a Chiawelo-raised boy such as himself would volunteer to create a Pimville-based story, thus: “My dad used to flirt around in Pimville.”
Mentioning features which set the place apart from the rest of Soweto such as an indoor swimming pool and a golf course as some of the reasons his entity chose the neighbourhood, Muofhe summarized: “So that’s why we say, look Pimville is a story to tell – it’s a character in Soweto that shaped, shifted and made so many icons that have come out of Soweto and that’s why we are telling a story.”
One of the cast members present was Rhodes University drama graduate Michelle Mosalakae who portrays Zinzi Sithole – the young and wild wife with a proclivity for the fine things in life who tries to capture an older man’s (Vusi “Jobe” Sithole – played by actor Mondli Makhoba) money.
The Mabopane-raised “storyteller” was the embodiment of resplendence in a red dress, hosiery, shoes and bag.
In response to the enquiry how she was recruited to the ensemble: “I was approached by one of the producers through one of my agents, but they had said that for a while whilst creating the show, they had someone like me particularly in mind because of what they had seen me in previously, and they wanted to capture someone who brings weight to a character.” “I went in for casting and sooner after I got a call that they liked what they saw, and I guess the rest is history.”
Giving a glimpse of her screen character, Mosalakae offered: “I think she’s somebody who’ll probably make the viewers infuriated because they are going to see parts of themselves or people they might not agree with, in her – but I think that she’s innocently living life and sometimes she ends up stepping on people’s toes, but I don’t think that’s intentional, every step she takes, she wants to just see herself as successful and ambitious as possible.”
Mosalakae’s utterance resonates with what fellow cast member actor Thapelo Mokoena (who acts the part of Kenneth Tumagole) intoned regarding what’s in store for viewers: “Get ready to see yourself in the mirror.”
Another glamorously appearing cast member was Galeshewe-raised erstwhile Olay model, Gail Mabalane whose protagonist character, detective Phello Mohapi – according to Radebe’s hint – pursues a villain who happens to be her neighbour.
The Pimville ensemble also include seasoned actresses, Clementine Mosimane as Mme Mathapelo, the matriarch of wisdom, protector of traditions and keeper of secrets, and Lillian Dube as Rakgadi wa Freistata, a beloved elder whose wit, heart, and humour define the soul of Pimville.
Other familiar faces are Charmaine Mtinta as Aya; Matli Mohapeloa as Mmusi Mohapi; Keke Mphuthi as Naledi Tumagole; Fulu Modibedi as Rofhiwa Ndou; Jesse Suntele as MJ; Eve Rasimeni as Mo’Gurl; Sipho Ndlovu as Somfana “Demethi” Mazibuko; Mandla Gaduka as Quincy; and Thabo Malema as Jones.
Head of Content at SABC TV, Pimville-raised Lala Tuku partly spelt out the broadcaster’s future trajectory thus: “Pimville is not just a drama. It is a declaration that SABC 2 is embracing a new creative energy – one grounded in truth, in community, and in a modern South African voice.”
Tuku said that in order to tell a story as layered as Pimville, a cast which could hold emotional weight, cultural nuance and character complexity was needed – further adding that Pimville is the first chapter of SABC2’s shift into a new era which reflects who South Africans are today.
As a telenovela, Pimville will represent a shift from the long-form format – as Muvhango is – to the shorter version entailing a complete story arc.
‘Twas razzmatazz converging with pizzazz indeed, with the reveal venue’s huge screens flashing the name of the telenovela comprising images of the Soweto Towers substituting the letter I – as well as a parade of loud-revving 1980s BMW 3-series sedans poised as if to mark the street running across the hub in doughnut circles!
All images Jacob MAWELA (Galeshewe-raised erstwhile Olay model, Gail Mabalane, will play the role of detective Phello Mohapi).
