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Picture courtesy: (Dstv) Queen Modjaji series to air on Sunday as the Royal Balobedu Council lost it’s bid to interdict MultiChoice from airing the series.
(The Post News)- The Balobedu Royal Council recently expressed their disapproval of the Mzansi Magic series ‘Queen Modjaji.’
Despite filing a case to prevent the series from airing, their attempt was unsuccessful, and the series will air as scheduled on Sunday, July 14.
The family and council took MultiChoice and Duma Ka Ndlovu to court because they were never informed or consulted on the series.
The urgent application by the Royal Council was dismissed at the Pretoria High Court with a ruling the matter lacked urgency.
Jacques Minnaar, acting judge at the court, stated in his ruling that the Balobedu Royal Council and family waited for the completion of the production, which is not acting promptly to approach the matter at hand.
The Royal family and council were represented by Advocate Louis Kok, who informed the court that the consequences that MultiChoice would face if granted interdiction would be of their cause because of no engagement or consultation with the Royal Balobedu Council.
The Royal Council and family emphasised the importance of engaging with them first.
The council stated that it is important that any portrayal of their cultural heritage is accurate, and respectful, and requires engagement and consent from the Balobedu Royal Council and Her Majesty, Rain Queen Masalanabo “Modjaji.”
The ruling of Judge Minnaar recognises Ka Ndlovu’s work as a work of fiction and informs them that each episode that airs will have an introduction wording of “a historical drama inspired by true events.”
The Royal Council firmly asserts that it does not approve of the series because neither the filmmaker the production team nor MultiChoice got the go-ahead to make the series.
However, the Modjaji Royal Council said that they had been consulted with and gave MultiChoice the green light to air the show on Mzansi Magic.
This makes it clear that Modjaji and the Royal family are currently not on the same page with the matter at hand.
Duma Ka Ndlovu, the renowned poet and producer, says that the “Queen Modjaji” series aims to allow viewers to learn about and engage with the traditions and culture of Lobedu.
The new drama series is to debut on Mzansi Magic on Sunday, July 14 and will air on Sundays on channel 161 at 8 p.m.
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