Opinion by Kudakwashe Matizanadzo

SOUTH AFRICA has become a battlefield between locals and foreigners as the locals feel foreigners are invading their space and taking their jobs.
The foreigners in this instance are fellow Africans, who for various reasons, mainly economic ones have found themselves seeking greener pastures in South Africa.

Dear reader, it is an open secret that tensions are at an all time high, with the March and March Movement, an anti-immigration organization founded by Jancinta Ngobese – Zuma in 2025 having declared that all ‘undocumented’ foreign nationals should leave South Africa by the 30th of June using the #Abahambe!

The deadline, though not government sanctioned has sparked panic and raised tensions among major South African cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.
Most African embassies have already started offering their citizens willing to leave escape plans by providing transport for their repatriation back home.
However, many people still do not see how those with proper documentation will survive should this vigilante group ,which is not sanctioned by the government,keep putting matters in their hands.They will obviously be ‘blind’ and attack all foreign nationals.

You may also want to read: How many jobs have you created?’ — Julius Malema tackles South Africans who engage in xenophobic attacks

One just prays that the forces of reason will somehow prevail and prevent what seems likely to be a bloody face-off between the proponents of #Abahambe and the perceived illegal immigrants.

I digress now to the real story behind this write up.

There is a story by a foreigner that has been adapted into a series with 22 episodes on Netflix. The aforementioned series has been the talk of the town all weekend and is still trending on number 1; even as the Soccer World Cup is ongoing.
Imagine trending more than the most premier world football showcase!

The series titled ‘The Polygamist” is an adaptation of Zimbabwean author, Sue Nyathi ‘s 2012 debut best selling book going by the same title.

After years of trying to find a willing publisher to publish her book without success, Nyathi eventually took a bet on herself and self – published her book in 2012.
Without doubt, when she did this she just wanted satisfaction of having her book published no matter the reception it would receive from readers.

If you had asked her back then whether or not she ever dreamt of her book being adapted into a series,let alone on Netflix, Nyathi would have prolly laughed you off ….

However, as fate would have it, a decade plus later Nyathi’s book found its way on to our screens as a 22 episode Netflix series adapted by Stained Glass Productions, a South African film production company.
I repeat with deliberate emphasis South African production house!

Capturing global attention within hours of its release, the series has many attesting to its relatability to our society today.
“The Polygamist” has received rave reviews from critics and fans alike as it brings everyday experiences to life; experiences where the wealthy and powerful get their way using their influence and money.
It mirrors our African society where women hide their troubles, worries and insecurities despite them tearing them on the inside and literally internalise oppression.

The series follows wealthy, self-made CEO Jonasi Gomora. His seemingly perfect marriage to social media influencer Joyce begins to unravel as his secret second wife, mistresses and hidden webs of deceit collide in spectacular, explosive fashion.
So many are asking, had it not been because of this riveting story by a foreigner, Sue Nyathi; would such a super series have been possible? Talk about the numerous jobs created by Stained Glass Productions because of this foreigner’s novel?
By optioning a Zimbabwean novel and centralising it into a global Netflix release, Stained Glass Productions created work for South African crew and cast members. The production also opened doors for upcoming South African talent like Sibusisiwe Shangase (Essie), Linda Mkhize (Magesh Gomora) and Lwazie Tsebesha (Sarah) who critics have singled out for breakout performances.
Add to that, the veterans Gugu Gumede (Joyce) and Sdumo Mtshali (Jonasi) finally got the recognition their talents deserve as they set the pace with heart stopping performances on the number 1 trending supernovela.
Truth of the matter is we are now living in the age of globalization where people move to where their talents are most appreciated.
The earlier the proponents of #Abahambe get a grip of this fact, the better society will become alive to the power of collaborations across our people.

To my sister, Sue; the sky is the limit! You outdid yourself on this one, and many thanks for betting on yourself taking that leap of faith to self publish your book.
Now that the world’s attention is laser focused on you ,not even the sky is the limit my Sis, your name shall echo in many corridors..
Onto the next…Hoping more of your work especially Gold Diggers get to be adapted on to the screen.
#Mbokodo!