Arts Writer
AFRICA’S first superhero is now on e.tv. Jongo made its free-to-air debut on last Tuesday at 8.30pm. This action packed 16-part series, tells the story of a young man who acquires an array of supernatural abilities after his dad left him an alien crystal that he found in a cave at the Cradle of Humankind.
Jongo is a classic story of good versus evil, with some great stunts and special effects, intertwined with a love story. Season 1 stars hip-hop singer Pacou Mutombo as Eli King and the show is set in modern-day Johannesburg. The series is produced by Johannesburg-based independent film studio, Motion Story.
The production comprises a diverse cast from well-known faces, such as Luthuli Dlamini to newcomers like Katlego Baaitse (Eli’s best friend) and Pauline Zwane (Eli’s girlfriend).
Eli King is a young man who acquires incredible superpowers from the crystal. The stone is left to him by his father, an enslaved miner who is murdered shortly after escaping from the cave. Eli tries to deal with the death of his father and is set on finding the men responsible for his death. He also grapples with the powers of the crystal and how it will indelibly alter the course of his life.
“Season 1 of Jongo has taken us almost two years to complete and we can’t wait to hear what viewers think of Africa’s first ever mainstream superhero TV show. We’re delighted to be partnering with a channel of e.tv’s calibre and hope that this is the start of a long journey together,” says Gareth Crocker, co-director and writer.
“It is very important for e.tv to promote locally produced content and tell authentic South African stories. Jongo is fresh and showcases great production values, it is the first local series to feature an African superhero,” says Marlon Davids, GM Content strategy and Planning for e.tv.
Viewers will now get the opportunity to catch all the action in HD on eHD on both OpenView HD (Channel 104) and DStv decoders (Channel 194). OpenView HD is the only free digital satellite platform in SA, which features 19 new TV channels in digital quality.
l www.facebook.com/openview HD, twitter.com/openviewhd, www. youtube.com/channel/UChp1aJkOrC3Abhu8zZOwljQ