Bongi Ndaba

Last updated

Bongi Ndaba
Born (1972-02-10) 10 February 1972 (age 52)
Free State, South Africa
Occupation
NationalitySouth African
Alma mater Durban University of Technology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Notable works Generations , Generations:The Legacy , Home Affairs, Muvhango, Gaz'lam, Shreds and Dreams, Isidingo , Sokhulu and Partners, Ashes To Ashes , Society, Ring Of Lies, 4Play: Sex Tips For Girls, Izingane Zobaba, Jozi H, Uzalo , Father Christmas Doesn't Come Here, Z'bondiwe, Saints And Sinners

Bongi Ndaba (born 10 February 1972) is a South African producer and writer for television, as well as an actress and playwright.

Contents

From 2012 to 2014 she was the head writer and co-producer for the South African soap opera Generations, having worked behind-the-scenes for the programme for eight years previously and eleven in total. [1] As an actress, she is best known for her portrayal as Goneril in SABC1's King Lear mini-series (adapted as Izingane Zobaba ), which aired in 2008. Her most notable work as a playwright is Shreds and Dreams , written in 2004, which was adapted into the mini-series of the same name. The mini-series has run from 2010 on SABC1. [2]

Biography

As a young woman. She went on to study performing arts professionally at the Durban University of Technology and as a student, developed her interest in playwriting. After completing a second degree in education at UKZN, Ndaba moved to Johannesburg because of the opportunities in television available in the city. Her writing was noticed by the Market Theatre's New Writer's Festival, and she was given the opportunity to work alongside the novelist, poet, and playwright Zakes Mda. After partaking in a six-month selection process competing for an internship for the soap opera Generations, she, among 8 others, were hired out of a group of 230 hopefuls. [3] She was appointed the head writer in 2012 and served in the role until her resignation in 2014. [4]

In 2016–2017 she served as a head writer of Isidingo , a popular South African television soap opera. One of the most controversial episodes she wrote for this show was episode 29, which aired on 26 April 2017. [5] This episode was aired just a day before 27 April, which marked 23 years of Freedom in South Africa. This episode highlighted Bongi Ndaba as being a most unapologetic, bold South African television writer. In this episode, the principal character of the show pays respect to the grave site of his father on a farm. He is then approached by two white racist men, who start calling him derogatory names. The two men bury the man alive in a shallow grave. This episode was followed by a sequence of three other episodes that were aired on 1, 2 and 3 May 2017, which were brought forward to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA); they were said to be, inter alia, promoting violence and promoting hate speech, thus these episodes or scenes were claimed to be in contravention of clause 4(1) and 2 of the Free-to-Air Code of Conduct for Broadcasting Service Licensees. The BCCSA's Chairperson, H.P. Viljoen that the broadcasting of these episodes did not contravene clause 4(1) or (2) or any other clause of the Code of Conduct and therefore none of the complaints were upheld. [6]

During her tenure as head writer of Isidingo, the ratings of Isidingo soared as they reached an-all-time high, with 1.6 million viewers., [7] delivering the biggest number of viewers that Isidingo had ever seen, and thus reviving a dead TV show. Sadly, when she left Isidingo, the ratings of the show continued to plummet. Currently the ratings of the show are sitting to 0.95 thousand viewers. [8]

Filmography

Playwright
YearFilmGenreOther notes
2003Shreds and DreamsStage Play
2009ShakenStage Play
Film
YearTitleGenreNotes
2010Father Christmas Doesn't Come HereShort FilmWriter
2019Miracle [9] Short Filmwriter, director
Head Writer
YearTitleGenreNotes
2011GenerationsSoapieWriter, Co-Producer
2014Generations: The LegacySoapie
2010Shreds and DreamsDrama SeriesSeason 1
2015Shreds and DreamsDrama SeriesSeason 2
2016 Isidingo Soapie
2018 Uzalo Soapie
2019 eHostela Drama Series
2022The EstateTelenovela
2023 Nikiwe (TV series) Telenovela
Writer
YearTitleGenreNotes
2005Gaz'lamDrama Series
2008Home AffairsDrama Series
2006MuvhangoSoapie
SocietyDrama Series
4 Play: Sex Tips For GirlsDrama Series
2009Sokhulu and PartnersDrama Series
2010 Jozi H Drama Series
2014Saints and SinnersDrama Series
2015 Ashes to Ashes Telenovela
2016Z'bondiweDrama Series
2017IsikiziDrama Series
2018Ring of LiesTelenovelaStoryliner, Scriptwriter
Uzalo TelenovelaHead writer
2019AmbitionsDrama SeriesStoryliner, Scriptwriter
2020 Imbewu: The Seed SoapieStory liner
ErasedDrama SeriesCreator, Producer
2021The EstateTelenovelaStoryliner, Scriptwriter
2022The Estate Season 3TelenovelaHead Writer
Gomora TelenovelaStoryliner, Scriptwriter

Awards

In 2017, Bongi Ndaba wrote a South African first WhatsApp drama series titled Uk'shona Kwelanga. It was produced by Sanlam. Ukshona Kwelanga was a groundbreaking insurance advertising drama series, targeted at South African WhatsApp users, as the largest medium of communication. In 2017, Bongi Ndaba won a WRITING CRAFT GOLD from the Loeries for her stellar writing in "Uk'Shona Kwelanga". Loeries are the most prestigious creative industry and brand communication awards for Africa & the Middle East.

In March 2018, the format of storytelling and advertising of insurance product through WhatsApp, saw Bongi Ndaba winning two awards at #Bookmarks2018 Awards for her writing in Uk'shona Kwelanga. The Sanlam product Uk'shona Kwelanga won a SILVER for Integrated Mixed Media Campaign and a GOLD for Bots, Messaging & Dark Social at the #BookMarks2018 Awards.

Related Research Articles

<i>Isidingo</i> South African TV soap opera (1998–2020)

Isidingo was a South African soap opera, with dialogue mostly in English and isiXhosa. The series premiered on SABC 3 in July 1998 and was broadcast evenings on SABC 3 from Monday to Friday at 19:00. Until 2001 it was titled Isidingo: The Need.

<i>7de Laan</i> South African soapie

7de Laan was a South African Afrikaans soap opera created by Danie Odendaal and produced by Danie Odendaal Productions. The series focuses on the lives of residents in and around the community of 7de Laan, in the suburb of Hillside. The programme's dialogue is primarily in Afrikaans and was subtitled in English with some English and Zulu dialogue in between. The show was cancelled in July 2023 and its final episode aired on 26 December 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophie Ndaba</span> South African actress

Sophie Lichaba, is a South African actress. She played Queen Moroka in the soap Generations. In 2016, she was guest judge in the final Miss South Africa 2016 beauty pageant.

Katlego Danke, is a South African actress, radio DJ and TV presenter. She is of Tswana ethnicity. Danke is known for her extensive role playing on South African soap operas, Backstage, Generations,Gomora and Isidingo.

Uzalo is a South African soap opera produced by Stained Glass Productions, which is co-owned by Kobedi "Pepsi" Pokane and Gugu Zuma-Ncube. It began airing in 2015, quickly becoming a hit due to its compelling narrative, writing, direction and the performances of the relatively-unknown cast. It initially told the story of two young men who were switched at birth, one being raised in a family with core Christian values and the other at a crime syndicate. It currently broadcasts from Monday to Friday on SABC 1. It is currently the most watched television show in South Africa.

Ashes to Ashes is a South African telenovela that was written and developed by Genna Lewis and Rosa Keet. The show was eTV's first ever telenovela produced by Clive Morris Productions.

Maggie Benedict is a South African actress, writer and director. She studied acting at Pretoria Tech. Benedict is best known for playing the role of Akhona Miya on the SABC 1 soap opera Generations (2011-2014).

Siyabonga Thwala is a South African television and stage actor, television host, producer and businessman. He is most well known for his role of Mpiyakhe Zungu on Mzansi Magic's Isibaya. Siyabonga Thwala has starred and appeared in a number of high profile television shows in South Africa winning multiple awards for his acting.

Karin Antonia Nadine van der Laag, is a South African actress, writer, script supervisor and casting director. She is best known for her role as Maggie Webster in the popular soap opera Isidingo on SABC 3. She is also an independent casting director, writer and script supervisor. She has worked as a part time judge, coach and mentor for among others the National Eistedfod Association, The South African National Community Theatre Association (SANCTA) and Talent Africa.

Kajal Bagwandeen, is a South African actress, model, dancer and television presenter. She is best known for the roles in the films Impunity, 3 Days to Go and soap operas 7de Laan and Isidingo: The Need.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melusi Yeni</span> South African actor and singer

Melusi Yeni is a South African actor and singer. He is best known for the roles in the television serials Tshisa, Home Affairs, Sokhulu & Partners and Generations.

Lebohang Motsoeli, is a South African television presenter, actress, MC, voice-over artist, scriptwriter and producer. One of the most popular woman sports commentators in South Africa, she has performed in many local and international sport events such as; "Special Olympics", "International Paralympic World Athletics Champions" and "All Africa Games".

Tamara Nokulunga Jozi, was a South African actress and television personality. She is best known for commercial advertisement "the Wimpy", where she keeps asking "Thabo, when are you getting married?".

Mary Makhatho was a South African actress. She was best known for her television roles in Yizo Yizo, Gaz'lam, Generations and Ga Re Dumele.

Lusanda C. Sangoni, popularly known as Lusanda Mbane, is a South African actress, radio personality, speaker and entrepreneur. She is best known for the roles in the television serials Scandal!, Muvhango ,imbewu and generations.

Nomathemba 'Thembisile' Matu, also known as Thembsie Matu, is a South African actress and television presenter. She is best known for the roles in the television serials such as Tshisa, Rockville and The Queen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shamilla Miller</span> South African actress and presenter

Shamilla Miller is a South African actress, television presenter and model. She is best known for her roles in Amaza, Forced Love, Tali's Baby Diary, Troy: Fall of a City, and The Girl from St. Agnes.

Nozipho Nkelemba, is a South African actress, casting director, director, brand endorser, and scriptwriter. She is best known for the roles in the television serials such as; Rhythm City, Mzansi Love and Heartlines.

Sannah 'Sana' Mchunu, is a South African actress. She is best known for the roles in the television serials such as; eKasi: Our Stories, Muvhango, The River and Gomora.

Nomakula Kuli Roberts was a South African fashion and beauty tabloid journalist, television presenter, author and actress. She was popularly known for co-hosting the SABC2 reality television show What Not To Wear and as a presenter and commentator on SABC3's daily talk show Trending SA.

References

  1. "Generations head writer and co-producer Bongi Ndaba out as dramatic changes continue behind the scenes at embattled Mfundi Vundla soap". teeveetee.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  2. "Bongi Ndaba". tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  3. "Bongi has the write stuff". IOL Entertainment. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  4. "SABC want Generations 16 back 'home'". Channel 24. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  5. Isidingo 20 episode 29 video, accessed 13 March 2018.
  6. BCCSA Tribunal Review, retrieved 13 March 2018.
  7. TVSA TAMS, Top Shows on TV: July 2017. Date Access 13 March 2018.
  8. [TVSA https://www.tvsa.co.za/user/blogs/viewblogpost.aspx?blogpostid=49104], Top Shows on TV: February 2018. Date Access 13 March 2018.
  9. "Miracle | African Film Festival, Inc" . Retrieved 21 February 2023.