Another level': Richard Lukunku on Blood Psalms' creatorsRichard Lukunku who stars as Senator Jabari, weighs in on Showmax's Blood Psalms' creators. Take a look
by Alicia Naidoo
28-09-2022 14:12
in Entertainment
Richard Lukunku weighs in on Blood Psalms creators. Image: Supplied.
SAFTA and Africa Movie Academy Awards nominee Richard Lukunku weighed in on the Blood Psalms creators.
--
RICHARD LUKUNKU STARS IN BLOOD PSALMS' Actor Richard Lukunku stars as Senator Jabari, who was sent to the Akachi citadel from the mighty Great Nziwemabwe to attend the wedding of King Letsha. But also to insist that the king give back the Northern Territories. Although the two tribes are now at peace, Great Nziwemabwe will stop at nothing to take advantage of cracks in the Akachi kingdom.
Local audiences will recognise Lukunku as Detective Phaka on Mzansi Magic's crime drama Mshika-shika. He's also a familiar face for international audiences, as Joshua in the Emmy-winning Black Sails, Patrice Lumumba in The Siege of Jadotville, and Robert Sobukwe in the Black Reel-nominated Madiba.
In Blood Psalms, Lukunku stars opposite 2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Award and SAFTA nominee Zikhona Sodlaka (Mandisa in The Wife), who plays his mistress, Sithenjwa, who is returning to the Akachi citadel for revenge.
--
ALSO READ: Blood Psalms': Mandisa Nduna on shape-shifting misfits
Q&A WITH RICHARD LUKUNKU Tell us about your character, Senator Jabari, and his tribe, Great Nziwemabwe?
Great Nziwemabwe is like what Rome was, where Rome is the capital and the rest of the world are provinces of Rome. The southern provinces are at war and Senator Jabari is sent to come and ensure that everything runs well.
--
It's an interesting role: you know that you've got the power of the kingdom behind you. If you don't like something, you're going to say what you're going to say. If you feel disrespected by the king, you're going to exercise the power that's being given to you.
How was the shoot?
It was an amazing experience. Jahmil [XT Qubeka, the director behind South African Oscar entries Knuckle City and Sew The Winter To My Skin) gave me space to perform, to characterise, trying to get things as authentic as possible. How did these people walk? How do they talk? If you're not walking and talking like they would, you have to ask, Please, can I have another take?' It's three o'clock in the morning, but you need to get it right. Getting it right was more important than comfort.
Nobody was shooting during the pandemic. During that time, Layla [Swart, co-creator and executive producer of Blood Psalms) found the budgets that she needed to get to feed families. We were all dying; nobody had worked. But because of Layla's hard work and tenacity, she really kept us alive. Layla kept 300 families alive, you know what I mean?
What's different about Blood Psalms?
The representation is insane. A Xhosa character speaks Xhosa; a Zulu person speaks Zulu. The different African cultures are represented. Jahmil knew exactly how to represent Africa when he was writing the script and he got it one hundred percent right. But it's not just a history lesson. It's a living, breathing world that mixes many styles and ideas. Blood Psalms is authentic and also something much more. I can't wait for people to experience it.
Why should audiences watch Blood Psalms?
Everything on Blood Psalms is looking amazing. It looks unbelievable; it feels real. You feel like you are there, at that time. It's just incredible.
But that's what I expected from the best production company in South Africa right now, with the best producer and the best director. These guys are on another level, like an insane level of creativity.
ALSO READ: Blood Psalms': Get to know the horrible' Queen Assili [watch]
Are you a true Uzalo' soapie superfan? Take part in our quiz and WIN R1 000 in cash!
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer
Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...
15/07/2026
Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026
Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...
15/07/2026
Real-time stem-separation tool updated
zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...
15/07/2026
A new benchmark in bass enhancement
Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...
15/07/2026
DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...
15/07/2026
Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...
15/07/2026
Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...
Another level': Richard Lukunku on Blood Psalms' creatorsRichard Lukunku who stars as Senator Jabari, weighs in on Showmax's Blood Psalms' creators. Take a look 
