Abomama is a South African television drama series which follows the fortunes of four church women who are sucked into the criminal underworld when they are forced to turn their stokvel into a money-laundering scheme.
The series tackles the extraordinary lives of ordinary women, when a group of religious women take it upon themselves to turn tragedy into a blessing.
Troublemaker Thabang (Kgosi Mongake) is arrested for petty crimes again, but before being carted off to jail he tells his long-suffering sister Mapule (Nokuthula Ledwaba) that he has stashed R2-million away - and says he wants her to have it.
However, as it turns out he double-crossed none other than the local butcher, Bonanza (Kenneth Nkosi), who also goes by the name "The Heist King".
Seeking the advice of those she trusts, Mapule takes the news to her prayer group, who also happen to be stokvel ladies. Soon the pastor's wife Fumane (Joyce Skefu) comes up with a plan to use the ill-gotten gains for the good of the community, using the stokvel.
Fumane is a respected and loved figure in the community, and the changes she makes using the money see her become of real service to the church and community.
She also uses her actions as a way to escape her controlling husband the pastor (Don Mlangeni Nawa), who is more concerned about his church and image than his wife.
However, money and power can corrupt, and Fumane slowly finds herself being drawn into temptations she should probably rather avoid. The question becomes: will this archangel of Soweto stay true to what she stands for?
Also part of the prayer group is Dora (newcomer Unati Guma) and Tshidi (Khanyi Mbau). Dora is a former alcoholic with a problematic spending impulse and is everyone's favourite person at church but hides a dark secret - as does Tshidi, who is an approval-seeking former ghetto queen-turned-suburban wife who's married to a reputable doctor (Leroy Gopal).
Other cast members include Masechaba Moshoeshoe-Mtolo as Raki, Sekoati Tsubane as Khoroane, Gabriel Mini as Borisi and Jerry Phele as Jonas.
Shot on location in Soweto and Ferndale, Abomama is created and produced by Parental Advisory Productions, based on an original concept by Zaba Leroto Hlatshwayo. The executive producers are Thomas Gumede, Lungile Radu and Siyabonga Ngwekazi. Khomotso Kekana is a producer.
The directors are Thomas Gumede, John Barker and Zaba Leroto Hlatshwayo. The writing team includes Hlatshwayo, Chisanga Kabinga, Salah Sabiti, Tshego Monaisa and Chris Radebe, with head writer Mpolokeng Bogatsu. The music score is by Zethu Mashika.