From the opening scene to the last, the first episode of Traffic will keep you hooked.
Traffic is a new crime-drama series that follows police detectives Lungi Mtaba (Bonnie Mbuli) and Songezo Sibanda (Bongo Mbutuma). The show premieres on Wednesday, 12 February at 9:35PM on e.tv and 9:30PM on eKasi+
We are launched into detective Lungi’s world when a panic-stricken young woman calls the detective from a public telephone. The dark first scene is juxtaposed with a cheerful morning scene where we meet detective Lungi in her home. Unaware of the happenings of the night before, detective Lungi is seen dealing with comparatively mundane domestic issues involving her younger sister. We then see Mbuli’s softness quickly transform as we meet her in her place of work. In the police department, it’s all serious work as the tough detective deals with an unreasonable boss and a strong drive to protect Cape Town’s vulnerable.
Mbuli says she was chosen for this role because she exudes a kind of tom-boyishness that is needed to bring detective Lungi to life. But watching the first episode, the true magic is in her ability to at once emit a vulnerability and a militant tenacity.
It’s refreshing to see a strong female lead on local TV. At the launch of the show, Mbuli said; “This kind of story-telling is much like activism in a country like ours. Exploring the true identity of women and their place in society is so crucial.”
Creative producer, Kaye Ann Williams, added “The idea was to get a fearless female cop, instead of the stereotypical casting of men in such roles.”
Speaking of men, we also meet Lungi’s partner, detective Songezo Sibanda played by the handsome and quietly confident Bongo Mbutuma. Lungi and Songezo’s unexamined chemistry provides some respite from the darker storyline with humorous situations. We are excited to see these two develop on screen!
Don’t miss the first episode of Traffic! on Wednesday, 12 February at 9:35PM on e.tv and 9:30PM on eKasi+
