{"id":3016,"date":"2026-07-25T04:18:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T02:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=188166"},"modified":"2026-07-25T04:18:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T02:18:44","slug":"cnns-african-voices-meets-the-stars-of-netflix-sensation-the-polygamist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/cnns-african-voices-meets-the-stars-of-netflix-sensation-the-polygamist\/","title":{"rendered":"CNN\u2019s African Voices Meets the Stars of Netflix Sensation \u2018The Polygamist\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the latest episode of African Voices, CNN\u2019s Larry Madowo sits down with South African actors Gugu Gumede and S\u2019dumo Mtshali, the stars of Netflix\u2019s breakout hit \u2018The Polygamist\u2019. The pair discuss the show\u2019s unexpected global success, their personal journeys into acting, and why they believe African storytelling is reaching new audiences around the world.<\/p>\n

The interview explores how a Zulu language drama set in South Africa became a worldwide phenomenon. Reflecting on the series\u2019 popularity, Mtshali tells CNN, \u201cThe fact that it blew up this big across Africa, and then the United States, and then Europe, that was a big surprise for us.\u201d Gumede recalls watching the show\u2019s audience grow almost overnight, saying, \u201cEvery new day you\u2019d wake up and it was like a new country had discovered it.\u201d<\/p>\n

CNN also hears how audiences have become deeply invested in the show\u2019s characters. Speaking about his portrayal of Jonasi, Mtshali explains that fans frequently approach him as the controversial character. \u201cIt\u2019s a great feeling that we can go this far as storytellers. We can reach the world,\u201d he says. Gumede adds that viewers have become equally fascinated by the actors behind the roles, explaining that many people want to know \u201cwho are you?\u201d and how they bring such complex characters to life.<\/p>\n

The conversation looks back at the beginnings of their careers and the moments that sparked their love of acting. Mtshali reflects on performing in a school play as a child and realising the power of storytelling, while Gumede recalls creating imaginary worlds from a young age. \u201cI loved seeing how people would come and meet me where I was in my imagination,\u201d she tells CNN. \u201cI just wanted to do it from that age.\u201d<\/p>\n

The programme also offers a candid insight into Gumede\u2019s personal journey. She speaks openly about caring for her mother following a stroke and how the experience motivated her to focus on her own health and wellbeing. Reflecting on the changes in her life and career, Gumede credits her faith for helping guide her path and tells CNN, \u201cI thank God for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond its success as a television drama, \u2018The Polygamist\u2019 has prompted wider conversations about relationships, power, and society. Mtshali argues that audiences have connected with the story because its themes reach far beyond the subject of polygamy itself. \u201cThe show is so much bigger than just polygamy,\u201d he says. \u201cAs long as there\u2019s someone in power who\u2019s able to oppress another person\u2026 that\u2019s Jonasi.\u201d Gumede adds that the series encouraged audiences to reflect on their own experiences and sparked conversations about relationships, accountability, and personal empowerment.<\/p>\n

Looking to the future, both actors share ambitious hopes for African storytelling. Gumede says the success of \u2018The Polygamist\u2019 shows the potential of stories from the continent, telling CNN, \u201cWe\u2019ve seen how big this can be. We can\u2019t keep playing small. We\u2019ve seen how far we can go with our storytelling.\u201d Mtshali hopes the industry\u2019s growing profile will create new opportunities for collaboration across the world, adding, \u201cMy dream is to really tell South African and African stories at that highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Author<\/strong>: Tshegofatso Nkubone from Burson Africa on behalf of CNN<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

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In the latest episode of African Voices, CNN\u2019s Larry Madowo sits down with South African actors Gugu Gumede and S\u2019dumo Mtshali, the stars of Netflix\u2019s breakout hit \u2018The Polygamist\u2019. The pair discuss the show\u2019s unexpected global success, their personal journeys into acting, and why they believe African storytelling is reaching new audiences around the world. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":118,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[401],"tags":[406,403,405],"class_list":["type-post","category-mypr","tag-africa","tag-entertainment","tag-myprafrica","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/118"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3016"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3016\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}