Rugby prodigy Dumisani, played by actor Buntu Zatu, is caught between his sports career and the harsh realities of township life after his gang-member older brother dies while protecting their mother during a botched robbery.
Consumed by grief and pressured by his brother’s gang, Dumisani is drawn into the criminal underworld, putting his relationship with his girlfriend and his dreams of rugby stardom at risk.
The drama, Family & Rugby, produced by Matli Mahopeloa and Motlatsi Mafatshe and directed by Thomas Gumede, was filmed in Komani and will be launched on the eVOD/e.tv online streaming service on February 27.
Mahopeloa, who was born and raised in Whittlesea, attended Queen’s College primary and senior schools where he met pupils from different backgrounds, with some coming from rural areas and townships.
“The creation of the storyline was loosely based on what I personally experienced growing up, as I saw how Queen’s College afforded talented children an opportunity to attend the school via a scholarship,” Mahopeloa said.
He said the film was a story of hope about a young man from a township who had dreams of becoming a professional rugby player but his background was an obstacle that he had to overcome.
“Rugby in the Eastern Cape is popular and for children from difficult backgrounds it is a way of hope for them to actually make something of their lives,” he said.
The filming of Family & Rugby started late in 2023 and was completed in July 2024.
The cast consists of well-known actors such as Zandile Msutwana, Anele Matoti, Bongile Mantsai, Ayanda Makayi, Zatu and Kay Bikitsha, most of whom star in the popular TV series, Gqeberha: The Empire.
“Being an actor myself, it was easy to choose the cast.
“They were an awesome team, they really did step up to the plate, they were a perfect fit,” Mahopeloa said.
Despite encountering several challenges during filming, he said the production team managed to overcome them.
“It was a struggle for us to shoot some scenes around Komani, for instance there was a scene we shot on a particular street and we had to get permission from the local municipality.”
Shooting a rugby scene at Queen’s College, using the school’s first rugby team, also proved tricky because the pupils were writing exams.
Though Family & Rugby will only be launched later in February, it has already received international recognition.
“We won the New York Film and Cinematography Spring Award.
“We also won Best Feature Film at the [Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival] in India and now we have been selected to play at the Cameroon International Film Festival in April.”
He said audiences would relate to the storyline, as it depicted true life challenges that were lived by families from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Zatu, who plays the leading role, expressed how grateful and excited he was for having been part of the production.
“This is a dream come true for me as I have always wanted to be part of a best production team, it is even great that I am playing a character I am quite familiar with,” he said.
Zatu is a former Dale College pupil and rugby player, who has played the sport his whole life.
“This was my debut acting role, I was very honoured to be selected to showcase my talent and show the world what I was capable of,” he said.
Matoti, who plays his father, said he decided to be part of the film because he took pride in his roots.
“I was raised in the areas of Komani and Cofimvaba, so it made sense going back to where it started,” Matoti said.
“I am a former Queen’s College pupil, so it was important to play in a role, not just on an artistic level, but in putting Komani on the movie map.”
Mtoti described his character as a man who had fallen short of his responsibility as a father and husband.
“He had dreams that were not accomplished, and is stuck in the past,” Matoti said.
“He uses alcohol as an escape and is not aware he’s letting his family down.
“He is envious of his son as he is able to express himself in playing rugby, as that was once his dream.”
He said the chemistry on set, working with his fellow cast members from Gqeberha: The Empire, was amazing.
“There were challenges but we managed to overcome them, and it was easy working with my fellow cast members.”
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