Elelwani finally set for release

As both main actress and producer of the film, actress Florence Masebe last month voiced her outrage after Elelwani’s scheduled release was postponed for a second time.

Masebe tweeted in September: “I am truly and properly devastated. Had to find out through a tweet that the film’s release has been moved again.”

But ‘Elelwani’ – which is being credited as the only Tshivenda short film made to date – is now scheduled to run at the Johannesburg Art Cinema from 1 – 7 November, before it is released nationally on 31 January 2014.

The film is based on the first ever Tshivenda novel written by Titus Maumela in the 50s and tells the story of a young woman called Elelwani (played by Masebe), who leaves her rural village to finish her studies in the big city.

She meets her soul mate, Vele, and gets engaged and her future seems perfect when she is also offered her dream job in Chicago. But Elelwani is blindsided when she and Vele visit her parents to tell them her good news, only to be told that she has been promised to the tribal king.

According to SAPA and likely much to Masebe’s delight the new confirmed release date will ensure that the film qualifies for the 2013 South African Film and Television Awards.

Masebe has been in local television shows including ‘Generations’, ‘Scandal!’, ‘Muvhango’, and ‘7de Laan’. She also walked away with the Best Actress In A Leading Role award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in April for her title role of Elelwani in the film.

– TEAMtalk Media