‘Giyani’ changing the Xitsonga narratives
The first Xitsonga Telenovela, Giyani Land of Blood, is a stepping stone to a brighter future for the Tsonga speaking people, according to Actor Fumani Shiluvana.
The Tzaneen born actor from Shiluvana Village believes the drama will change the tribe’s narrative and more people will be familiar with the language.
He however urges people to watch and support the series for it to continue being on TV.
“For a long time our people have been complaining that our language is not well represented on TV and now a door has been opened for us, but for it to work they need to support us for more opportunities to arise for the Tsonga people through this series,” explained Shiluvana.
The 105 episode drama will premiere on our TV screens on Monday April 1 at 21:30 and will flight from Mondays to Wednesdays.
It set in the fictional village of Risinga in Giyani, it brings to life the conflict of two families (Mudau and Baloyi) who are locked in a bitter decades-long squabble over a contested piece of fertile land and the banana plantation built on it.
Also read: TV show brings out the best of Tzaneen’s talent
Last year SABC 2 held auditions in Giyani and Polokwane for the drama and a couple of new faces from the auditions are now part of the series.
It also has well known faces such as Singer and Humanitarian, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Singer Ebony Ngcobo, Actor Obed Baloyi and Bolobedu born singer Candy “Tsa Mandebele” Mokwena amongst others.
Ngcobo born and bred in Nkowankowa outside Tzaneen says she is excited about the new drama and pleads with the viewers to watch and support it.
“I’m happy that at long last a Xitsonga drama of this magnitude is here, the story is well written.
I would like to also pass words of gratiude to the SABC for giving us as Tsonga people a platform to showcase our talent,” said Ngcobo.
She concluded by outlining that ‘Giyani’ matches if not outshines the other telenovelas on TV currently.
