Veteran Zimbabwean-born South African actor Ernest Ndlovu will reprise his role as Deputy President Enoch Mbatha in the highly anticipated second season of Empini.
ERNEST NDLOVU ON EMPINI
Known for his extensive career spanning four decades, Ndlovu has become a household name with memorable roles in Isibaya, and Gomora, according to Actor Spaces.
Empini Season 2 will be available for streaming on Showmax from 4 March 2025. The series promises a deeper dive into South Africa’s political landscape.
Ndlovu’s character, Enoch Mbatha, is a stern and no-nonsense leader. He embodies the complexities of post-1994 politics.
Mbatha represents freedom fighters who become part of the corrupt system they once fought against.
ERNEST NDLOVU ON HIS CHARACTER
Ndlovu explains, “My character, Enoch Mbatha, is part of both the movement that once fought for change and the corruption that followed.”
Ndlovu describes Mbatha as a tragic figure, “These are individuals who went into exile, joined liberation movements, and returned with the promise of transformation.
But somewhere along the way, power and greed consumed them”. He was drawn to the duality of the character – a hero and a villain, according to IMDB.
ERNEST NDLOVU ON EMPINI AND SOUTH AFRICA’S POLITICS
Ndlovu notes that Empini reflects South Africa’s political climate. He asserts that Empini politically educates through drama, not just entertains.
In Season 1, Ndlovu worked alongside Owen Sejake, who played General Moeti. Ndlovu appreciates that they both worked on projects that reflected South Africa’s political climate.
He notes that Sejake did this through protest theatre, and he did it through TV productions. “Working alongside Owen was not only an honour but also a learning experience”, Ndlovu recalls.
FAVOURITE SCENE FROM SEASON 1
Reflecting on his favourite scene from Season 1, Ernest Ndlovu highlights the moment Enoch discovers Khaya Bhodoza’s corruption. Because Khaya is married to Enoch’s daughter, the situation is complicated
“You can feel his internal battle as a father, a politician, and a man who once had strong moral convictions but now finds himself surrounded by betrayal”, he explains.
SEASON 2
Ernest Ndlovu encourages viewers to tune into Season 2.
“Season 1 laid the foundation, but Season 2 is where everything truly takes off”, he promises. He also warns viewers to expect betrayals, secrets, and explosive tensions.
Looking back at his career, Ndlovu reflected on the changes in the film and TV industry, according to Showmax Stories.
He is inspired to see Black creatives leading the industry. “We’re no longer just actors – we’re directors, producers, and decision-makers”, Ndlovu states proudly.
WHICH OF ERNEST NDLOVU’S PREVIOUS ROLES IS YOUR FAVOURITE, AND WHY?
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