Mamello (a Sotho word meaning "Resilience") is a South African television drama series produced by Endemol Shine South Africa which follows an idealistic teacher who relocates to a new school to escape an abusive marriage, where she falls in love with a fellow teacher and begins to rebuild the school as she rebuilds her own life.
This is a family drama that aims to encourage parents, children and communities to be open and honest about their challenges and seek solutions together.
Escaping an abusive marriage, idealistic principal and teacher Keneilwe Mogotsi (Tsholo Matshaba) has returned to Sebokeng, the industrial township she ran away from as a young woman. Her mission is to rescue Mamello High, a disadvantaged school on the verge of being closed down.
There she meets fellow teacher Patrick (Jude Tshisevhe) and the pair are drawn together, not only by their love but also by their common vision for the school, their idealism and their genuine passion for the school and for the students. They are teachers who love teaching.
Together, through the series, they face numerous challenges in the school ranging from a basic lack of resources, under-qualified teachers and an ever-changing curriculum to child-headed households, drugs and gangs to rape, a viral sex video and teenage pregnancies.
Can Keneilwe rebuild the school as she rebuilds her life?
Mamello stars Tsholofelo Matshaba as Keneilwe Mogotsi, Lethabo Bereng as Kamogelo Mogotsi, Lebohang Motaung as Kotsi Mogotsi, Mary Makhatho as Mosumbuka, Jude Tshisevhe as Patrick Mashego, Boitumelo Motsoatsoe as Bokang Mashego and Refilwe Madumo as Dorah Mashego.
The series is in Sotho, with English subtitles, and was shot in various locations around Gauteng to ensure an authentic look and feel.
Mamello is produced by Endemol Shine Africa, with executive producers Sam Shale and Sivan Pillay and supervising producer Shirley Adonisi. The series director is Zuko Nodada and the head writer was Julie Hall (Seasons 1-2) and Duduzile Mabaso (Season 3).
Scriptwriters include Sipho Xolisa Tshapu, Clive Madiya, Duduzile Mabaso, Nonzi Bogatsu, Chris Q Radebe, Percy Bonga Vilakazi, Zelipa Zulu Rodgers, Makganwana Mokgalong and Christa Biyela.. The title sequence and theme music was composed by Gregory Nottingham.