South Africa’s rising television star Makoma Mohale, 27 (‘The River‘) has secured her biggest acting job in the lead role as the famed powerful rain queen of South Africa’s Balobedu people, Rain Queen.
The former ‘The River’ actress takes on the role of Maselekwani (Queen Modjadji), the young Queen-in-waiting who brings about a golden age of peace and prosperity to the land.
A graduate of the Performing Arts, some of her first performances were theatre based in plays such as ‘Too Sweet Too Bad‘, ‘Fright Alah‘ and ‘The Infidel‘.
The highly-anticipated Mzansi Magic’s real-life inspired upcoming drama series, ‘Queen Modjadji‘, which premieres in July on DStv Channel 161, has announced all the leading faces you need to know about, including ‘Skeem Saam‘ actor Putla Setlapelo as Ramulodi, the king’s keeper, and ‘Muvhango‘ actress Mudi Mudau as Maselekwani’s Rakhadi (aunt) and head teacher and adviser, Khadikhulu.
The series draws inspiration from the famed Balobedu legendary inaugural rainmaker, whose lineage has ruled South Africa’s Balobedu clan for centuries.
To ensure authentic portrayal of the famed Balobedu rainmaker, believed to have had powers that let her control the clouds and rainfall by bringing rain, producers (Rhythm World Productions), led by the drama series executive producer Duma Ndlovu, conducted extensive research by consulting with traditional leaders and other key advisors.
Catch Mzansi Magic drama serie Queen Modjadji’s glimpse below:
About Queen Modjadji
Accordingly to National Museum Publications, Queen Modjadji, trained in the art of rain-making and traditional medicine from a young age, was viewed as a sacred figure and as such could not attend any public events. The only way she could communicate with her people was through male councilors and headmen. She was also not allowed to get married, but bore children by her male relatives and had wives who served as her maids.
The queens were selected from the many villages of Ga-Modjadji by the councilors. When she is about to die, she has to select the eldest daughter to take over from her.
“We’re doing a story where everything should be a revelation, from how she (Queen Modjadji) was born, how she grew up, how she took over , it should be something that you’ve never seen before, it should be a story that you’d never heard of before,” Ndlovu said, describing what viewers can expect from the drama series.
Queen Modjadji; other key roles
Key new additions to the recently announced my cast include:
Priscilla Raboroko (Young Raisibe) – The daughter of young Maselekwani’s minders, and Maselekwani’s childhood companion and trusted friend.
Aubrey Mmakola (Kgoshi Mampuru) – who was the king of the neighbouring Bapedi Kingdom. Aubrey is an actor, dialogue coach and director who has made his mark on the acting scene. He has been cast on show like M-Net’s dramas Snitch and Jacob’s Cross as well as on kykNET soapie Binnelanders.
Moses Raseleke (Mphabantshi) – The Royal healer, prophecy teller and spiritual leader.
Sipho Ndlovu (General Phaahla) – He was the cunning General of the Bapedi Kingdom. Best known for playing the character Sambulo on the hit Showmax show The Wife, Ndlovu has also featured on other Mzansi Magic hit shows, including The Queen and as Zembe on Isibaya.
Candy TsaMaNdebele (Muyahabo) – Award-winning musician popularly known to embrace her culture, traditional attires and singing in Khelovedu, Candy plays Muyahabo, one of Mambo Mugodo’s wives and stepmother to Maselekwani.
