Mkhonto (2023)

In the Showmax film Mkhonto, Bahle Hadebe (Black Tax, The Letter Reader, and young Shaka in the upcoming Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation) stars as Celani, a herder boy who is possessed by the spirit of an 18th-century king, Mkhonto ka Celimpi, after stumbling on his great spear. Mkhonto is determined to use Celani to reform his once-great kingdom and right the wrongs of its current leader, Chief Siviko ka Vaka (SAFTA nominee Dumisani Dlamini from eHostela and The Wife). 

Look out for Andy Mnguni (Sindi in The Republic) and Andile Mbatha (Bra Carter in House of Zwide) as Celani’s parents, as well as three-time SAFTA winner Linda Sebezo (eHostela, Isibaya, Lockdown) as the village’s traditional healer and Bheki Vilakazi (Yizo Yizo) as a royal advisor to Chief Siviko.  

Produced by M’Darkie Revolution Productions (Induku, Isifiso), Mkhonto is the feature film debut of Pheello ‘PJ’ Makosholo (The Estate, Keeping Score). The thrilling story is set in the fictional, mystical world of Eziqwaqweni, which is brought to life by the likes of SAFTA-winning art director Lerato Pitso (Intersexions) and SAFTA-nominated costume designer Sheli Nyathi Masondo (Black is King).