Hustle (South African TV series)

Hustle is a South African television drama series directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka with executive producers Bridget Pickering, Dan Jawitz and Neil Brandt. It is an e.tv original produced by Fireworx Media for  eKasi+ and stars Brenda Ngxoli, Zolisa Xaluva, Dineo Ranaka, Petronella Tshuma, Mandisa Nduna and Masello Motana. The series follows a washed-out superstar who attempts to redeem herself and revive her career.[1]

Hustle
GenreCrime
Music
Based onOriginal concept by Fanyana Hlabangane and Bridget Pickering
Written byBen Johnson Jr.
Thandi Brewer
Ben Horowitz
Directed byJahmil X.T. Qubeka
StarringBrenda Ngxoli
Sisanda Henna
Dineo Ranaka
Music byTigerfight
Garth Barnes
Fabian Sing
Lungelo Lubelwana.
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languagesEnglish, IsiXhosa, SeSotho,IsiZulu
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes26
Production
Executive producersBridget Pickering
Dan Jawitz
Neil Brandt
ProducersNeil Brandt
Dan Jawitz
Bridget Pickering
CinematographyGrace Harrison
EditorLayla Swart
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time46-48 minutes
Production companyFireworx Media
Release
Original networkeKasi+
Original release11 February 2016 (2016-02-11)

Plot

Kitt Khambule (Brenda Ngxoli) started her music career well in the 80s with The Sparrows, a trio with her sister and her best friend. Her extraordinary voice and ambition led her to break away from the trio and rise to superstardom. Her career crashes and burns after a series of no-shows in her concerts, cut ties with those close to her, and her drug addiction. She tries making a comeback with her latest concert, only to fail again in pitching on time. This forces her to flee back home, broke, desperate and on the run from creditors. She takes street urchins Baby (Petronella Tshuma) and Thuli (Mandisa Nduna) through a journey, which eerily mirrors her own, to the height of stardom.[2]

Cast
  • Brenda Ngxoli as Kitt[3]
  • Dineo Ranaka as Kedibone
  • Zolisa Xaluva as Bra X
  • Carlo Radebe as Jacob/Moses[4]
  • Masello Motana as Neo
  • Andile Nebulane as Duma
  • Angela Sithole as Tai Chi / Angel
  • Lungelo Lubelwana as Sbu
  • Mandisa Nduna as Thuli
  • Mothusi Magano as Maxwell
  • Lethabo Bereng as Pretty
  • Petronella Tshuma as Baby
  • Sisanda Henna as Moruti Sampson
  • Nicole Bailey as Rea
  • Alex Motswiri as Vusimusi
  • Anthony Bishop as Vince

Production

In an interview with City Press, Jahmil XT Qubeka, director of the series, described it as being very racy, filled with sex, drugs and music, and that “The sensibilities and the approach to the show aren’t typical,” says Qubeka. “We’re shooting a long feature on a TV schedule and on a TV budget.”[5][6]

Filming took place around Johannesburg, as well as in Soweto.

Broadcast

Hustle premiered on February 11, 2016, on the defunct eKasi+, and was aired for 13 episodes before the show went on a year-long hiatus. The series was initially thought to be removed on account of its risque sexual scenes, but resumed in January 2017, to coincide with the return transmission on e.tv, in a new timeslot of Wednesdays at 21h00.[7] 23 episodes were aired on the channel, with the remaining episodes moved to eExtra, on Wednesday 5 April.

The series was later added to e.tv:s streaming service, eVOD.

References
  1. "HUSTLE | e.tv". www.etv.co.za. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  2. "Local music drama series Hustle to air on e.tv from 6 September : Screen Africa : International Broadcast News". www.4rfv.com. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  3. "Brenda Ngxoli back on TV in e.TV new drama series Hustle". Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  4. Mojalefa, Kekeletso. "CARLOS BRINGS TWINS TO LIFE ON HUSTLE!". Dailysun. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  5. Blignaut, Amanda Sono and Charl. "Sex, drugs and gospel". Citypress. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  6. Baloyi, Hlulani (2016-01-18). "Hustle: New drama series to air on eKasi+". Quick Read Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  7. Blignaut, Charl. "Edgy drama too hot for e.tv". Citypress. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
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