What happens when prayer women come face to face with the criminal underworld? This is the question that Abomama bo Mthandazo tries to answer. The new drama series combines religion with vice to create an intriguing and suspenseful crime thriller.
Abomama also explores romantic relationships looking at themes such as infidelity and patriarchy. It is good to see Nokuthula Ledwaba back on the screen after what seems like a long absence. In reality she has never taken a break.
Viewers will recall her in Rhythm City as Tshidi Khuse, the troubled teenage rebel who used to create all sorts of problems for her parents, Kop Khuse (Setlhabi Taunyane) and Mamokete Khuse (Connie Chiume).
Mapule,,
To me she il be always TSIDI (RHYTHM CITY) pic.twitter.com/WxtZMOhvY7
— AVHA RAMUKOSI (@Avha_Ramukosi) April 29, 2018
After leaving the etv soapie, Ledwaba returned in Umlilo (2015) on the same channel, playing the part of Dumile Simelane, an independent thinking city girl who found herself in an abusive polygamous marriage.
She subsequently landed a major international role in the much anticipated Roots (2016), the remake of Alex Haley’s 1977 television series as Binta Kinte, the mother of Kunta Kinte – the Gambian slave who was determined to defy his captors and maintain his African heritage in a hostile foreign land.
The cast of Abomama. Picture: Supplied.
In Abomama she plays the part of Mapule, a devout church goer and stokvel member whose unshakeable faith is put to the test when she had to decide whether to use the proverbial root of all evil to improve her life or to report the filthy lucre to the law.
The drama started after her ill-fated brother, Thabang (Kgosi Mongake) revealed from behind the bars that he had buried a fortune worth R2m in a duffel bag in the veld.
The scene of four prayer women in church regalia as they scoured the open field in search of buried treasure was highly entertaining. But it turned into the macabre when an intruder interrupted their digging mission and is inadvertently killed by the ladies of the Lord in a scuffle.
The cast of the new Mzansi Magic drama series Abomama. Picture: Supplied.
Khanyi Mbau who plays the role of Tshidi, one of the prayer women, displays a peerless performance as the wife of a rich doctor, played by Leroy Gopal.
The series also introduces Unathi Guma as Dora, a garrulous and quarrelsome recovering alcoholic and impulsive spender. Although this is her maiden television role, she handles it with aplomb – something one would normally expect from a seasoned professional.
Tonight on #Abomamamzansi @PAP_Mzansi @Marley_GP pic.twitter.com/pBxgQZzPJi
— Crack Master (@Mangaliso_M) April 29, 2018
Veteran actress Joyce Skefu as Fumane, the preacher’s wife completes the bible clutching quartet. It seems her share of the loot is proving to be a blessing, something to deliver her from the clutches of her domineering husband, Mfundisi (Don Mlangeni Nawa) and offer her some independence.
Other cast members are Masechaba Mtolo, Jerry Phele and Kenneth Nkosi. The latter plays Bonanza, the ruthless underworld boss who doesn’t hesitate to punish those who double cross him, as the fate of Thabang attests. While this is a great drama with strong, realistic acting, the melodramatic scenes spoil it. The bank scene where they had to deposit the stolen money is a case in point.
* Abomama is broadcast on Mzansi Magic (channel 161) every Sunday at 8pm.