Imbewu: The Seed

The series revolves around, Zimele "Ngcolosi" Bhengu (Tony Kgoroge), alternating between two main plots. One is that he, along with two business partners, Pranav Rampersad (Koobeshen Naidoo), and Zane Johnson; have built Maluju Oil; an oil company worth a hundred million rand, driven by his ambition to be the first black South African black oil baron. Now in his forties, Ngcolosi is set on leaving a lasting legacy for his children. Knowing that neither of his partners are willing to relinquish their equity that they've helped build for years, Ngcolosi is dead set on doing whatever it takes.

The other, crucial central part revolves around the Bhengu family. Ngcolosi is married to, Nokubonga "MaZulu" Bhengu (Leleti Khumalo). Ngcolosi had mentioned the issue of bearing children. Mazulu, who hadn't given birth to any children and under pressure, sought medical help, and found that Ngcolosi was in fact, impotent. Rather than talk to Ngcolosi about the issue, she seeks guidance from her mother-in-law and family matriarch MaNdlovu (Thembi Mtshali Jones), who decides on a traditional solution where Ngcolosi's brother Phakade (Sandile Dlamini) must don the responsibility of impregnating her. The custom dictates that Ngcolosi bears full paternal rights to the children, and by extension, forbids Ngcolosi from ever knowing that such a ritual was practiced. When he finds out that all four of his children are not biologically his, it sets in motion family tensions between them.

• Tony Kgoroge as Zimele 'Ngcolosi' Bhengu
• Thembi Mtshali-Jones as MaNdlovu Bhengu
• Leleti Khumalo as Nokubonga 'MaZulu' Bhengu
• Sandile Dlamini as Phakade "Shongololo" Bhengu.
• Nqobile Ndlovu as Nokukhanya "Khanyo" Bhengu
• Kay Sibiya as Nkululeko Bhengu,
• Nokubonga Khuzwayo as Zakithi Bhengu
• Raphael Griffiths as Zithulele Bhengu
• Jailoshini Naidoo as Nirupa Rampersad
• Kajal Maharaj as Shria Rampersad
• Jack Devnarain as Sunil Maharaj
• Lusanda Mbane as Makhosazane Langa

Filming took place in a studio in Congela, as well as Chatsworth, Mbumbulu, Umlazi, and other surrounding areas in Durban, Kwazulu Natal

In March 2020, production for the series was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the instated lockdown.{{Cite web |title=Imbewu stopped filming due to a positive case of Covid-19. |url=https://fullview.co.za/entertainment/item/3629-imbewu-stopped-filming-due-to-a-positive-case-of-covid-19 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=fullview.co.za |language=en-gb}} Marlon Davids, managing director of e.tv had stated to the public that production companies of all e.tv series, including Imbewu, would be temporarily shut down.{{Cite web |last=Birjalal |first=Alyssia |date=3 April 2020 |title='Imbewu' shuts down production due to positive Covid-19 cases |url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/tv/imbewu-shuts-down-production-due-to-positive-covid-19-cases-50356397 |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=Independent Online}} Despite this, pre-filmed episodes of the series continued to air uninterrupted throughout the lockdown period.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-03 |title=TV with Thinus: Coronavirus: e.tv's Imbewu drama series produced in KwaZulu-Natal also shutters over Covid-19 case; exposed cast and crew tested and set deep-cleaned. |url=https://teeveetee.blogspot.com/2020/07/coronavirus-etvs-imbewu-drama-series.html |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=TV with Thinus}}{{Cite web |last=Ferreira |first=Thinus |title=Imbewu and Suidooster latest SA shows to halt production due to Covid-19 cases |url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/tv/imbewu-and-suidooster-latest-sa-shows-to-halt-production-due-to-covid-19-cases-20200704-2 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Life |language=en-US}}

In January 2023, it was announced that season 5 would be the finale of the series.{{Cite web |last=Gaanakgomo |first=Constance |date=26 January 2023 |title=Confirmed! ‘Imbewu: The Seed’ reaches the end after five seasons |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2023-01-26-confirmed-imbewu-the-seed-reaches-the-end-after-five-seasons/ |website=timeslive.co.za}} {{Cite web |last=Ngenyane |first=Andiswa |title=The curtain closes on Imbewu: The seed! |url=https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/celebs/etv-drama-imbewu-the-seed-is-coming-to-an-end-20230331 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Daily Sun |language=en-US}} Though no reason was given by e.tv for its choice not to renew the series, the station reiterated that they were committed to investing in local content.{{Cite web |last=Ferreira |first=Thinus |title=Imbewu: The Seed cancelled after 5 seasons |url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/tv/imbewu-the-seed-cancelled-after-5-seasons-20230126 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Life |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Zuma |first=Mbalenhle |date=2023-01-26 |title='Imbewu: The Seed' draws to a close after five years of drama |url=https://sundayworld.co.za/celebrity-news/entertainment/imbewu-the-seed-draws-to-a-close-after-five-years-of-drama/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Sunday World |language=en-ZA}}

The cast was officially announced in January 2018,{{Cite web |title=Cast/plot revealed for e.tv's Imbewu: The Seed {{!}} e.tv {{!}} TVSA |url=https://www.tvsa.co.za/user/blogs/viewblogpost.aspx?blogpostid=48910 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=www.tvsa.co.za}} with Mpumelelo Bulose, Thembi Mtshali and Leleti Khumalo announced as the lead cast.{{Cite web |title=Former Uzalo stars Leleti Khumalo and Mpumelelo Bhulose reunite for new show |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2018-02-22-former-uzalo-stars-leleti-khumalo-and-mpumelelo-bhulose-reunite-for-new-show/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}} It was later announced that Mpumelelo Bulose would be leave due to his conduct. Tony Kgoroge took on his role, making his on-screen debut on 14 September 2018.{{Cite web |title=Tony Kgoroge talks about winning Imbewu viewers over as 'Ngcolosi' |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2018-09-12-tony-kgoroge-talks-about-winning-imbewu-viewers-over-as-ngcolosi/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}} Throughout the series, the production experienced an exodus of actors, most reported to be from contractual disputes.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-14 |title=A list of Imbewu actors that got fired in the last 5 years |url=https://iharare.com/a-list-of-imbewu-actors-that-got-fired-in-the-last-5-years/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=iHarare News |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |title=Imbewu to get new KaMadonsela as Zwane quits |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2020-06-10-imbewu-to-get-new-kamadonsela-as-zwane-quits/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |last=Seleme |first=Rae |date=2022-06-13 |title=EDUO may block 'Imbewu' over departures of 80 cast & crew members |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/soapies/breaking-imbewu-the-seed-departures-of-80-actors-crew-members/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}

Imbewu premiered on 18 April 2018, with new episodes shown first on e.tv, and later on eExtra. Later on, the series was added to the PCCW Global streaming service Viu, through an exclusive streaming deal.{{Cite web |last=Puterman |first=Simone |date=2019-09-30 |title=Press Pass: Streaming service Viu targets SA with freemium model • |url=https://www.marklives.com/2019/09/press-pass-streaming-service-viu-targets-sa-with-freemium-model/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=MarkLives.com |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |last=yomzansi |date=2019-03-01 |title='Viu' streaming service launches in South Africa, with Uzalo, Skeem Saam |url=https://www.yomzansi.com/2019/03/01/viu-streaming-service-launches-in-south-africa/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=yomzansi.com |language=en-US}} e.tv briefly added the series to its streaming service eVOD, before being forced to take it down, as it was a contractual breach.{{Cite web |last=Ferreira |first=Thinus |title=e.tv and VIU head to court over streaming rights for Scandal! and Imbewu |url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/tv/etv-and-viu-head-to-court-over-streaming-rights-for-scandal-and-imbewu-20210817 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Life |language=en-US}} Viu sued e.tv R38 million for the breach.{{Cite web |last=Seleme |first=Rae |date=2021-08-18 |title=VIU sues e.tv for R38 million over 'Scandal!' and 'Imbewu: The Seed' |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/soapies/viu-sues-e-tv-for-r38-million-scandal-imbewu-the-seed/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}} The series was later added again on eVOD and subsequently removed from Viu.

The series has been aired in 25 francophone-speaking countries, dubbed in French as Imbewu: Le Fruit du Mensonge (lit. The Fruit of The Lie), through Canal+ and A+.{{Cite web |title=Imbewu: Le Fruit du Mensonge |url=https://www.canalplus.com/series/imbewu-le-fruit-du-mensonge/h/14851081_50162 |website=Canal+}}

Series Overview :

Season 1 : 16 April 2018 - 12 April 2019

Season 2 : 15 April 2019 - 10 April 2020

Season 3 : 13 April 2020 - 09 April 2021

Season 4 : 12 April 2021 - 08 April 2022

Season 5 : 11 April 2022 - 14 April 2023

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Category:2018 South African television series debuts

Category:2023 South African television series endings

Category:2010s South African television series

Category:South African drama television series