Homemade Films Producing Soul City

Homemade Films Producing Soul City

Over 20 years, Soul City has built a proud history of launching new production companies into the South African industry. Homemade Films, run by Catharina Weinek and Mmabatho Kau with more than 30 years' collective experience, has now taken up the baton to deliver a new season of this much-loved South African drama series, airing from 15 July.

Driven by a commitment to authentic storytelling, Homemade Films has injected new vigour into the latest season of this iconic local drama, Soul City 12. The series combines the nostalgia of the Soul City many viewers have become accustomed to with the energy of a new youthful spirit to propel the series into the now'. With the return of Lillian Dube as Sister Bettina, the 12th season also celebrates Soul City's 20 years on our television screens.

Kau and Weinek were commissioned to create the stories and lead the development process in a close working relationship with Soul City, whose focus this season is on the Department of Health's new primary healthcare roll-out plan. This gave the team the opportunity to develop stories reflecting on the power of South Africa's youth in proactively defining and changing their future and so in turn ensuring our country's success.

While iconic characters like Sister Bettina (Lillian Dube) and Sis'Noni (Florence Masebe) bring continuity, the trials of young characters revolve around rebuilding a dilapidated gym and reclaiming their place and dignity in Soul City. The producers are very excited to be launching new talent that will become household favourites.

In our story world, young people are the critical network of community health workers, who bring healthcare to the people. Using topical story lines, Soul City 12 highlights how community health workers can be a beacon of hope in turning the healthcare system around.

The producers' ability to nurture new talent and the creative skills honed over years in the industry have paid off, launching not only a fresh and more contemporary series, but also new writers. Playwright Thibedi Pusetso, poet and scriptwriter Duduzile Mabaso and associate producers Yolanda Ndhlovu and Dineo Mabena added authenticity to the Soul City world, while the strong hand of award-winning scriptwriter Marina Bekker added depth and structure. The producers generated the continuity and on- going drive to heighten this new season's resonance, while the addition of award winning director, Minky Schlesinger during the production process ensured beautiful performances and a strong directorial vision.

Despite the usual production challenges of a location shoot, this included a temperamental 1980s stunt car and an (unscripted) police shoot-out on set, the producers primary objective was to deliver a beautiful series without forgetting that crew and cast are the true heroes of any production and allow the on-screen magic to come to life.

Kau and Weinek were committed to ensuring that Soul City's ethos of community work, advocacy and social relevance was translated onto screen and felt by crew and cast. The series, both in content and production quality, reflects the spirit of these two women, in itself an unusual achievement in the television industry.

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