Meet The Star-Studded Cast Of Mzansi Magic’s New Telenovela – My Brother’s Keeper

Mzansi Magic, the home of entertainment, is ready to wow audiences once again with its latest telenovela, My Brother’s Keeper. Premiering on Monday 23 October at 19:30, the 130-episode drama promises suspense, intrigue, and top-tier performances.

Produced by the renowned Rhythm World team, My Brother’s Keeper promises a compelling story of family politics, ambition, exploring how far individuals will reach in their quest for power and acceptance, and the corrupting nature of greed. 

Against the opulent backdrop of the Shabalala family empire, at the heart of this drama stands Nqubeko, Mshengu's ambitious love child, trapped in the shadows and yearning for his rightful place in the family. 

Nqubeko, driven by both ambition and the need for validation, sees an opportunity to become more powerful, setting his sights on his sister-in-law Fakazile, the key to the Shabalala legacy. But as he navigates this dangerous path, he finds himself at odds with his siblings, especially Donga, the rightful heir. As alliances shift and secrets come to light, the Shabalala family finds itself on the verge of collapse, with each member forced to reckon with their desires, loyalties, and the true cost of power.

Meet the Shabalala Family:

·         Mshengu (Lindani Nkosi): A dominant figure, Mshengu establishes authority with a mix of savvy and confidence. His traditionalist values often clash with the changing world around him.

·         Khwezi (Mnqobi Kunene): Mshengu's firstborn with MaMchunu. An astute businessman. Khwezi's unexpected absence sets in motion the drama to unfold.

·         Fakazile (Zola Nombona): An independent woman and wife of Khwezi. As the key to the Shabalala empire, she becomes the focal point of the power struggle.

·         Nqubeko (Wiseman Mncube): The ambitious love child, constantly seeking his father's approval. His decisions stir the pot within the Shabalala family.

·         Donga (Sdumo Mtshali): Mshengu's firstborn with his first wife, representing the rightful heir to the Shabalala legacy.

Other notable characters include Nomusa (Vuyiseka Cawe), the supportive wife of Nqubeko; Thuthuka (Sparky Xulu), the charming yet irresponsible youngest Shabalala; and Ndumiso (Nkanyiso Mchunu), a man easily swayed by temptation.

Don't miss the premiere of My Brother’s Keeper on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) on Monday 23 October at 19:30. Episodes will also be available on DStv Stream.

ENDS

Play Room: MultiChoice's Attempt At An "eToonz For Africa" Is Ramping Up It's Local Offering

Play Room (stylised as Playroom) is a children's channel operated by Ngwato Nkosi Group which offers fun and learning with popular animated shows dubbed in Zulu alongside live-action shows. The channel is set to go live on all packages from November 6 on channel 300.

During the week, we were able to piece out a part of the channel's schedule as tests are still underway particularly for the schedule. So it's likely that some content already confirmed for Play Room won't form part of the initial offering.

We have shows like Game Shakers and Paw Patrol those were very much confirmed beforehand. But a majority of content such as Akili And Me, Jabu's Jungle and Bino And Fino are all based from Africa leading us to believe that Play Room may be looking to ramp its local offering.

They already offer a local tween show Play Room Live with a selection of animated shows set to be dubbed in local languages. The idea of them sourcing out as much locally produced animated series and possible live-action wouldn't seem far fetched.

During the year, Showmax rolled out its first original animated series Jay Jay The Chosen One as somewhat of an experiment. Following its success, the streamer unveiled its second program in the year Twende so we presume these shows will likely surface on Play Room.

African Animation Network To Get First Ever Competitor With A Dedicated Channel

In 2019, Nick Wilson the cofounder to African Animation Network unveiled plans to launch a 24 hour linear channel strictly for African produced animation with plans to get original content. From what is understood, some funding would be needed to get this off the ground.

Prior to its rollout, they were plans to launch a dedicated programming block on numerous local broadcasters in the African market likely even DStv as sources sited these broadcasters as "major outlets". Following that instance, there's technically been no update.

Nick Wilson and the rest of his team at African Animation Network have since then been producing Garbage Boy And Trash Can for Cartoon Network. They aren't looking to compete with their potential linear offering but as seen already strive with partnerships.

In the coming months, MultiChoice and Ngwato Nkosi Group are set to unveil a new children's channel to their platforms, Play Room. Described as a fun and educational platform featuring animated series in local languages alongside live-action shows.

From what's seen on the schedule, Play Room appears to not only be taking on the likes of eMedia's eToonz but also Nick Wilson's African Animation Network. Alongside a channel there's various local shows such as Akili And Me, Jabu's Jungle and Bino And Fino.

African Animation Network had operated a digital channel years prior for short films and series. The linear counterpart would most likely continue this format and possible feature the above-mentioned shows as they were looking to get educational and kid friendly content.

BBC Children’s Has Ordered A Trio Of New Shows For CBeebies and CBBC (BBC Kids)

For CBeebies, the pubcaster has commissioned Mojo Swoptops (52 x 11 minutes) from Blue Zoo and Tararaboom. The CG-animated preschool series stars an anthropomorphic vehicle who solves the problems in his local community by literally donning new headgear, such as helicopter blades. The series is based on Cindy Black’s book series of the same name.

CBeebies has also greenlit the animated series Rafi the Wishing Wizard from BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions, about a family of modern-day wizards who face the challenges of living in a bustling city.

And for the six-to-12 demo, CBBC has ordered Black Dog Television’s Pickle Storm (10 x 22 minutes), a live-action series about the adventures of a nine-year-old who has to leave his fantasy world and seek refuge in the UK.

In renewal news, CBeebies has reupped Maramedia’s

animated/live-action preschool series Olga da Polga (13 x 11 minutes) for a second season. It’s about an eight-year-old girl, her family and her pet guinea pig, and is based on a book series by Michael Bond (who is better known as the creator of Paddington Bear.)

CBBC has also renewed 9 Story Media Group’s A Kind of Spark for a second season. Based on the same-name book by Elle McNicoll, the series premiered on CBBC in April. Season two will continue the story of Addie, a neurodivergent 11-year-old girl who solves mysteries.

The BBC has been busy adding content to CBeebies and CBBC lately. Just last week, the pubcaster ordered a Hey Duggee preschool spinoff from Studio AKA called Hey Duggee’s Squirrel Club (26 x seven minutes), as well as renewing the original series for a 20 x seven-minute fifth season. And earlier this month, the broadcaster partnered with Toronto-based Sinking Ship Entertainment to produce a UK version of the live-action series Odd Squad (12 x 30 minutes).

BBC Studios Kids & Family Orders Hey Duggee Spinoff

BBC Studios Kids & Family and CBeebies have commissioned new preschool series Hey Duggee’s Squirrel Club from Studio AKA.

A spinoff of the London-based prodco’s Hey Duggee, the new 2D-animated series centers around a friendly dog who encourages his animal friends to try new things. A release date hasn’t yet been announced for the 26 x seven-minute show.

BBC Studios Kids & Family and CBeebies have also renewed the original Hey Duggee series for a 20 x seven-minute fifth season, which will premiere sometime in 2025. 

Since its debut on CBeebies in December 2014, several broadcasters have picked up Hey Duggee, including Nick Jr. (US), Tencent Video (China) and Cartoonito (Italy). The show remains popular—it was the most streamed CBeebies title on BBC iPlayer in 2022 and the second most-watched series on CBeebies between January and August this year, according to the pubcaster.

Hey Duggee also made the leap from screen to stage this year with Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show, which ran in the UK from December 2022 to August 2023. BBC Studios handles the IP’s consumer products rights, and to date has signed 28 L&M partners in the UK alone, including master toy partner Golden Bear.