Two former Miss South Africa winners, Shudufhadzo Musida and Ndavi Nokeri, will make their acting debut in the upcoming TV adaptation of ‘Queen Modjadji.’
Musida, 27, who hails from HaMasia village in Venda, Limpopo, won the Miss SA title in 2020 and later competed at Miss World.
Nokeri, 25, from Tzaneen in Limpopo, won Miss SA in 2022 and participated in Miss Universe.
They follow in the footsteps of former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, who debuted her screen acting in 2022.
Musida will play Muthanoni Mulalo, while Nokeri takes on the role of Muthanoni Khensani.
Venda-born Ngelekanyo Ramulondi will portray the younger Queen Modjadji, and newcomer Masutang Rasekele will play Dzugudini.
Helen Lebepe will portray Raisibe, and Thabo Bopape will play Supreme Mambo.
The drama series, produced by Duma Ndlovu’s Rhythm World Productions, will premiere on Mzansi Magic in July 2024.
“The earth, the elements and the energy of humans connect in ways that are both physical and spiritual, both obvious and unseen.
“Queen Modjadji was a living embodiment of this and so we will explore what this royal title, and the women who’ve held it, have lived, sacrificed, lost and achieved.
“And, at the same time, we want to be very entertaining – with a strong episodic storyline and historical detail set under unpredictable skies, where rain or storm, echoes what is happening in the lives of those below,” Ndlovu said.
MultiChoice Group CEO for general entertainment, Nomsa Philiso, said Queen Modjadji aligned with audience demand for culturally rooted television content and fit into their strategy to produce drama series in African languages.
“Bringing Queen Modjadji to our audiences meets their desire for television entertainment drawn from our heritage and it also flows seamlessly into our plans to create a catalogue of drama series made in African languages.”
“Queen Modjadji comes hot off the trail of Shaka ilembe which was a global phenomenon and very much an expression of the MultiChoice’s strategy to drive home-grown, authentic African storytelling,” Philiso said.