SHELEMBE ELEVATING FILM INDUSTRY

MBABANE – South African production house ‘Shelembe Aphiwe Productions’ is poised to take the Eswatini film industry to the international stage.

Established by Nhlanhla Shelembe, the production house is currently working in Eswatini with South African actors, such as Muzi Mathabela and Hamilton Dhlamini. A reliable source within the production team, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that they are in the process of filming a project led by a prominent local actor, with Mathabela and Dhlamini in supporting roles. “This will be the next biggest film in Eswatini because it is not only about the South African actors, it is also about emaSwati. The star of the upcoming film is a liSwati, and the supporting lead actors are Muzi Mathabela and Hamilton Dhlamini,” said the source.

Filming

The ongoing filming activities in the kingdom are facilitated by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that was signed between Shelembe Aphiwe Productions and the Eswatini National Film and Television Association (ENFTA). Notably, Shelembe Aphiwe Productions recently hosted a cultural exchange event with local creatives in Durban, which attracted musicians such as Mshikishi, M Nation, Samu Once Again, Scuveve and Grinder, among others. This cultural exchange was instigated by the MoU signed in 2023. During the gathering, the two parties collaborated on a song titled ‘Africa Unite’, which premiered on South African television stations earlier this year.

In an interview with Nhlanhla Shelembe, he shared that their objective is to uplift the local film industry while also providing local creatives with opportunities to showcase their talent. “There is too much talent in Eswatini, hence we decided to come and give these people a chance to showcase their efforts. I can confirm that we are currently filming in the country, and we are confident this film will not only make headlines in Eswatini, but across the whole of Africa. However, we cannot reveal more details about the film at this moment. We will convene the media to announce the news in early December, somewhere in Manzini,” he stated.

During the recent launch of the MoU, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture, Stanley Dlamini, emphasised the importance of such partnerships and collaborations for the growth of the local arts industry, which offers considerable exposure to local talent. “Such partnerships are ideal for our local industry because they help promote our cultural values on an international stage. You may recall that a creative such as Mandisa Mamba, who is also a musician, was featured by the same production company in the film ‘Fake Love,’” Dlamini remarked.

Story

‘Fake Love’ tells the story of a Zulu man from Durban, who leaves his wife under false pretences, claiming he is off to Cape Town, when in reality he plans to meet a liSwati woman, portrayed by Mandisa Mamba, who is also involved in a relationship. The two characters develop a complex relationship, exploring themes of love and deception. As Eswatini’s film industry continues to flourish, initiatives like those undertaken by Shelembe Aphiwe Productions offer not only a platform for local talent, but also a chance for cultural exchange and collaboration with established names in the industry. This partnership serves as a pivotal step toward enhancing the visibility of Eswatini’s film sector on a global scale, and local audiences can look forward to witnessing the outcomes of this exciting collaboration.

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