SABC2 will broadcast a new season of the popular drama series, 90 Plein Street, from 7 July at 9.30pm. Produced by Born Free Media for SABC Education, the series is set in South Africa’s real-life parliament.
Commissioning editor Jo Neethling says the new season has “a whole new look” to the fly on the wall documentary feel of the first season. “Camera movement is fluid and explores this often hidden world where careers and deals are made and broken in a single meeting. Dramatic lighting and colour specific location design captures the emotional impact at the epicentre of power and reflects the lush South African historic parliament buildings. Special attention is paid to the new wardrobe design reflecting a combination of ethnic chic and formal power suits for MPs in the halls and offices of parliament.”
90 Plein Street follows the personal and political intrigues around Dineo Nkgatho (Warona Seane), an ANC MP trying to balance her private life, the demands of a broken family, and her party loyalty. The character of DA MP Christo Beukes (Dan Robbertse) returns as the opposition member who locks horns with an opposition MP, S’fiso Ngema (Lindani Nkosi), from the small breakaway Pan-Africanist Party, with strong views on the land issue. This ignites a heated relationship between the two as Christo battles to save his family wine farm from a land redistribution claim. Finally, an unlikely friendship develops as both men lose the women in their lives. S’fiso Ngema comes between Dineo and her ex-husband and former disgraced ANC Chief Whip Zweli Motaung (Mpho Joseph Molepho), who is vying to win back Dineo’s affections.
Although most of 90 Plein Street is set in Cape Town, several episodes follow Dineo to her constituency in the Free State town of Parys, where her mother Naledi (Connie Mfuku) lives with Dineo’s daughter. Back home, social realities of life contrast with the marbled halls of parliament and Dineo finds herself caught up between the demands of her constituents and the real limitations of a parliamentary system that is far removed from its voters.
“Through 90 Plein Street, we communicate uplifting, entertaining and educational messages to our viewers. We look forward to bringing viewers another season of this gripping drama series,” comments Zandile Nkonyeni SABC2 Publicity manager.
