The second production of ‘BakaNgwane’ will begin airing on Eswatini TV on February 22.
Titled ‘The Birth of a Nation’, the historical series represents a renewed effort to document the origins of Emaswati through television, blending factual history with cinematic storytelling.
The production, officially launched on December 18 last year at Sharma House in Ezulwini, focuses on migration, power, sacrifice and the rise of King Matalatala I, while tracing the identity and resilience of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Producer Sibusiso Dlamini confirmed the programme’s weekly schedule and described the scale of the project.
“The series will start airing on Sunday, February 22 at 6.30pm and will be broadcast on Eswatini TV,” he said, noting that the production aims to reach families across the country.
Developed from research dating back to 2018, the docu-drama features more than 1 000 actors and includes well-known local performers such as Samukelo Dlamini, Mandisa Mamba, Lawrence Mhlanga, Thembinkosi Mthethwa and Samkelo Motsa.
What initially began with a small creative team expanded significantly as the scope of the project grew, requiring extensive sets, detailed costumes and a large cast to authentically depict historical events.
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Dlamini described ‘BakaNgwane’ as the foundation of a broader cultural archive.
“‘BakaNgwane’ is one of the most ambitious local screen projects and represents the first step in documenting and celebrating our heritage, with more work planned in film, literature and theatre,” he said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu, who is also the executive producer, provided insight into the decision to restart the project after the first production failed to meet expectations.
“When we assessed the first production, we realised that it did not meet Ingwenyama’s first-world standards, so we decided to start afresh,” she said.
This edition was revamped to improve technical quality and storytelling depth, positioning the series for possible distribution on international streaming platforms while retaining a distinctly local voice.
“Now that this production meets high-quality standards, it is our aim to see it featured on major platforms,” Shakantu said, adding that the project seeks to showcase local heritage to global audiences.
She noted that ‘BakaNgwane’ has evolved into a cultural brand dedicated to preserving history through screen narratives, with the latest instalment expected to anchor Sunday evening viewing nationwide.
