A slice of life

Aubrey Poo discusses season 3 of telenovela The Estate, which introduces new characters and mirrors society.

-  IPELENG RAKGANTSHO

What was once a serene and gated suburban community of Echelon Estate in Gauteng is now turned into a battleground when season 3 of telenovela The Estate starts on Monday 18 July. After the courts ruled in favour of the neighbouring Thembalethu residents in season 2, property mogul Muzi Phakathwayo (Sdumo Mtshali) - who stole their land to build his empire faked his death and fled South Africa to avoid answering for his crimes.

Following Muzi's departure, his business partner, cousin and corrupt politician Castro Kamanga (Aubrey Poo) is at the centre of a scandal as the Thembalethu residents attempt to invade Echelon Estate. On top of that, he faces fallout from the R10 billion failure of the building project. "Castro finds himself in hot water now that the people of Thembalethu have won the land. If he doesn't end the protest and settle his debt, all hell will break loose for him," explains Aubrey. Castro will hire a professional fixer to manage his scandal and revive his political career. "It's going to be an intense season," teases Aubrey.

NEW SEASON, NEW FACES

Besides Castro’s scandal, season 3 introduces the Nobengela family. After a near-to-death experience, political fixer Melisizwe (Dumisani Mbebe, Don in drama series Savage Beauty) and his interior designer wife Noxolo (Lerato Mvelase, Sibongile in soapie Isibaya) and their children arrive in Echelon to start on a clean slate. As the season progresses, the truth about their relocation will come to the fore. “There will be fascinating challenges for the existing characters and for the new faces as well, which makes for an interesting dynamic in our already colourful story world,” explains Aubrey.

REFLECTING SOCIETY