The screening of Mzansi Magic drama series Queen Modjadji has again met with resistance.
Queen has not given series her blessing
On Sunday, the Balobedu Royal Council said reigning queen Masalanabo Modjadji IV has not given the channel its blessings on airing the series depicting the life of their ancestor.
“This series has not been approved by the Balobedu Royal Nation nor consented to by Her Majesty, Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII. There was no consultation with either the Balobedu Royal Nation or Her Majesty by Multichoice or the producer, Duma KaNdlovu,” said the Balobedu Royal Council’s Secretary-General Gabriel Rasebotsa.
The historically inspired drama series brings to life the story of Queen Modjadji, the world-famous Balobedu rain maker. It was expected to be screened on Sunday, July 14, on Mzansi Magic channel 161.
The channel said: “The incredible reign of Queen Modjadji will grace our screens from Sunday, July 14, on Mzansi Magic, bringing with it a powerful tale of royal command and glory.
“Her tale has never been told like this before, but it promises so much of the turmoil that comes with running a kingdom—or should that be a queendom? After all, there have been so many incredible women who have reigned; it’s really a word we should be using as well,” says Mzansi Magic of the series.
Misrepresenting history
Rasebotsa said the drama series was misrepresenting the history and life of Queen Modjadji. It stated that the reigning queen had a moral, spiritual, and traditional duty to protect and preserve her people, customs, and traditions.
“She cannot stand by when her history is distorted and misrepresented, either by spoken language or by misnarration for commercial reasons. Therefore, Her Majesty cannot be ignored or disregarded in matters concerning her nation and her people, the portrayal of Balobedu heritage and the role of Rain Queens in the drama series Queen,” he said.
They pointed out that the channel should consult the kingdom for its consent before going ahead with screening the production.
Along with Queen Modjadji, South Africa also has the powerful stories of Queen Nandi, the mother of AmaZulu’s much-respected king Shaka KaSenzangakhona, and Queen Ntombazi of the Ndwandwe clan, known for being the rock that kept the clan together often through the use of witchcraft.
The Balobedu of Modjadji migrated to South Africa more than 400 years ago and settled in Limpopo. They are renowned for their female rulers, who are believed to have the power to produce rain.
Litigation
The tribe is also locked in litigation between the Balobedu royal council and some members of the Modjadji royal family over the rightful heir to the throne.
The Modjadji royal house had preferred that Prince Lekukela Modjadji ascend the throne, but the other faction said the throne legitimately belonged to 18-year-old rain queen Masalanabo, who recently came out of age.
“We urge all stakeholders, including Multichoice and the producers of Queen Modjadji, to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Balobedu Royal Council and Her Majesty, Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII, to ensure that any depiction of Balobedu heritage is done with sensitivity, authenticity, and acknowledgment of the profound role of Rain Queens in our community,” said Rasebotsa.
