A scene from Muvhango's very first episode.
Where were you on Monday, 7 April 1997?
Were you watching TV? Were you born yet? Were you glued to Muvhango?
It's been 20 years since the feud between the Mukwevhos and Mokoenas first erupted back in 1997.
20 years to the day.
Tonight (7 April 2017) Muvhango reaches its 20 year anniversary.
This is what series star Sindi Dlathu and producer Duma Nldovu have to say about the occasion:
Sindi: “What a journey! Honestly if someone had told me this would be me 20 years later, I wouldn’t have believed them. But there are things you find in yourself as you grow with the character and the symbiosis is unbreakable.
I have grown with Thandaza, I have cried, I have laughed and I have danced with her. There’s been a time when she has felt like a sister and I empathized with her and there were times when she has soothed me with her storylines.
It’s hard to point out my most favourite stories but I have enjoyed shooting the weddings, I’m a big romantic at heart. I have learnt a lot of TshiVenda. I have not enjoyed the fighting scenes for obvious reasons and that’s when you have to let your ego make way for your character and all these lessons have come through the years spent shooting Muvhango.
I think the production has done very well to have pulled through the many changes, first once a week, to three and finally five times a week. Also, I look at the cast compliment and I stand amazed at the talent and the co-relation that exists between production and cast. It has been a wonderful 20 years and I salute our executive producer, Mr Duma Ndlovu, for the journey.”
Duma: “It all started as a concept in the quest to bridge the cultural divide between black communities and also the language superiority. I feel extremely excited to be celebrating this milestone.
Starting from a 13-episode drama broadcast once a week back in 1997 and now broadcasting 5 days a week fills me with pride and joy. It hasn’t been smooth sailing as we have gone through difficult challenges, but we have managed to pull through and still continue.
We will continue dishing authentic stories that talk to communities, which will create talk ability and interaction amongst our viewers who happen to be the lifeline of the soapie’s success. Also gratitude goes out to everyone who has graced Muvhango with their presence from day one to date. These actors have made a huge contribution to the success that is Muvhango. Here’s to another 20 years.”