Streets of Mangaung is a South African police drama television series created and produced by Moja Movie Factory that shines a light on efforts behind community policing, focusing as much on the lives of the police as it does on the life of the station – and as much on the community as it does on their crimes.
It is intended as a feelgood series for the whole family despite its gritty subject matter and balances comedy with action and human drama.
Streets of Mangaung aims to bridge the gap between communities and police and also emphasizes that working as a policeman or woman shouldn't be all gloom and doom.
The series stars Aubrey Poo, Tshepo Maseko, Phuti Khomo, Luzuko Nteleko and Patronella Sello.
Created and produced by Moja Movie Factory, the series was directed by Mzu Mzazi and Muntu Zwane. Stephanie Pickover was the executive producer and head writer and the writing team included Charl Blignaut, Clive Madiya and Patronella Sello. The music was composed by Tongogara Ntlokoa and Zakhele Mabena.
Main Characters
Colonel Boitumelo "Tumi" Mofokeng
Played by Patronella Sello
Colonel Tumi Mofokeng is a single mother of two and the new Commander of Mangaung Police Station. At the station, Tumi leads by example and has an acute understanding of people and human nature.
At home, her weaknesses include a deep-rooted guilt about being a largely absent mother to her son and daughter, which means that she often turns a blind eye to their faults.
Lieutenant Colonel Sello Kumeke
Played by Aubrey Poo
Tumi's main adversary at Mangaung Police Station is Lieutenant Colonel Sello Kumeke. He's Commander of the Station's Crime Prevention Unit, in charge of the fight against crime on the street.
Sello is a lonely, cynical and tough professional who gave up two discontented wives and children for his career.
Student Constable Dineo Molobi
Played by Phuti Khomo
Student Constable Dineo Molobi has just finished her six months training course at the SAPS College in Pretoria and her first posting ever is to the Mangaung Police Station.
The tragic death of her family, due to a house break in, is her biggest drive. Now, Dineo finally has the opportunity to live her dream as a "real" cop fighting for justice against crime, violence and evil.
Student Constable Lebogang Chuene
Played by Luzuko Nteleko
Student Constable Lebogang Chuene didn't want to become a cop, but he had no choice. He dropped out of varsity and his father (a Polokwane policeman) insisted that he went to the police force.
Lebo can't believe how meager a policeman's pay is – never having airtime, never being able to splash out on that new pair of sneakers. He dreams of being rich; an Achilles heel for someone who finds himself in a career in the police service.
Senior Constable Rapulane "Raps" Modisane
Played by Tshepo Maseko
Senior Constable Raps Modisane was born and bred in the squatter camp near Mangaung. There was only one way for him to get out of poverty and out of his neglecting mom and ill-tempered step-dad's house and that was to get a job.
He worked as a taxi driver for a year and during that time, befriended one of his customers, a policeman called Sello Kumeke. It was Sello who persuaded Raps to consider a career in the police.