It’s a chilly night in Johannesburg, but right at the top of The Venue Green Park in Morningside, industry giants and celebrities gather to watch the exclusive premiere of the brand-new Mzansi Magic show Impilo: The Scam.
To pay off his debts, a greedy opportunist manipulates his naïve and desperate son into scamming the community through a pyramid scheme called Impilo. And what happens next is a captivating turn of events.
Starring newcomer Sipho Mdingo as Mnqobi, and veteran Desmond Dube as his scheming father Khulubuse, this father-son relationship exposes a reality that many South Africans can relate to. Impilo is filled with amazing talent, including the likes of Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Candice Modiselle, Nay Maps, Mpho Molepo, TK Sebothoma and Siya Raymond.
The show is the brainchild A Tribe Called Story (a group of youngsters from the M-Net Magic in Motion programme), which is the hip, filmmaking trio of talented writer Mbali Zulu, producer Aluta Qupa and director Thembalethu Mfebe. Their passion for local storytelling has brought the 13-part television series that will be screened on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) every Monday from 8 July at 8pm.
“The M-Net Magic in Motion programme and the ED Trust are all about unearthing and developing talent to ensure the steady growth and sustainability of the local television industry, as well as to tell quintessentially South African stories while equipping young filmmakers with insights valuable to their development,” says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice chief executive officer of general entertainment.
“Impilo: The Scam is expected to do well because it is authentically South African. The series doesn’t shy away from reflecting the state of South Africa and with their outstanding and gripping storytelling, the creators have weaved a captivating watch and unmissable performance. Forget the July chill, this drama series brings enough heat and excitement,” says Philly Kubheka, head of PR and publicity at Mzansi Magic.
About working on the show, Mbali said: “It was an edifying experience with many learning curves but even greater victories. It certainly is a privilege to have our young company tell authentic South African stories.”
Viewers can look forward to a practical example of how pyramid schemes work and how they affect the lives of everyday people, and they will also be taken on a journey of how relationships and bonds can be easily broken through lack of communication, mistrust and crime.
