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To experience a proudly African title, and celebrate transformation and unity, this movie should not be missed.
Johannesburg, June 12 2010, South Africans are set for a double whammy this month with the FIFA Soccer World Cup and a taste of Mr. Ibu gracing our screens. The crème de la crème of the acting fraternity both in South Africa and Nigeria has joined forces to produce a stunning showpiece that is set to leave you in stitches and celebrate our unity in diversity.
The movie was produced by the MCL group of companies that comprise two Nigerian companies: Gee Syde Entertainment and Chris Don Productions and a South African company, AK Entertainment. With Nigeria celebrating 50 years of it’s independence, the aim is to foster a great relationship between the two great countries in Africa by bringing the Nollywood life into South Africa and help create jobs for South Africans.
Mr Ibu’s latest offering will surely evoke the spirit of unison. Ibu whose real name is John Ikechukwu Okafor was born in the inland state of Enugu in the South East of Nigeria. Okafor under the tutelage of his grandfather shaped the character and the kind of person he is today.
From making random appearances in a at hit comedy series in Benin called Hotel de Jordan to starring in Rolling stones a film commissioned by the Anambra State Broadcasting Services; to his latest offering, Mr Ibu in Mzansi, he has truly come a long way.
The movie boasts a strong ensemble cast that portrays the best of South African and Nollywood talent. The movie set in a rural village in Nigeria sees Ibu a struggling husband sustained by his wife and two children jet off to South Africa for a better life for his family; where he meets King, played by Alfred Ntombela. Ntombela popularly known as Shorty through his appearances in Leon Schuster movies, he has graced South African screens for over 20 years. King plays a rich businessman who runs into Mr Ibu in his tavern- and then the “real games begin.”
“I feel very happy to be working with him (Mr Ibu) someone who is as talented and versatile as him,” he said.
“The movie treks from the vast, rich lands of Nigeria in the north and transports people to the South where a huge chunk of it is based and wraps up in Nigeria again,” said AK Shabalala, associate producer for Mr Ibu in Mzansi. Shabalala added that the movie is a springboard that will assist to elevate people’s ideas and perceptions of Nigerian cinema to ideals more lofty. “The movie aims to highlight that we are all the same and it’s main role is to curb xenophobia.”
The movie premieres this Saturday, the 12th of June 2010 at the Newtown Public Viewing Area in the Johannesburg CBD during the daring encounter between Nigeria and Argentina.
Copies of the movie are available at participating outlets and at the Newtown PVA. The movie is available as part I & II at the retail price of just only R70.00. Alfred and other cast members will be available at the Newtown PVA and other Fan park and participating outlets to sign autographs and mingle with the fans.
By: Africansway Journalist
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Michelle Booth, Andi Borman Winter, Pierre Callitz, Giles Gillett, Mike Scotts, Michelle Moses, Leon du Toit, Rebecca Freeth, Karin Olser, Jeremy Burnman, Gavin Shaskolsky and Alison Moultrie are some of the members of a white group of individuals who have taken a stance in the issue of racism in this country which according to them still continues to crop up bad racial behavior and influence with the University of Free State racial acts being the main example. They have a made a call for a interactive dialogue about racial issue affecting this country (The story appeared in the City Press in January 2010)