3 minute read
Anele Mdoda on executive producing the ‘skop, skiet and donder’ series ‘Ludik’
DEBASHINE THANGEVELO
The radio and TV personality, who is now working her magic behind the camera, was joined by the female cast during our chat.
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ANELE Mdoda has a larger-than-life personality. She’s been dominating the airwaves for the longest time before proving she has a big enough presence for TV, too, when she agreed to host ‘Real Talk with Anele’ on SABC3 (now S3).
At the time, the channel needed a replacement for 3Talk, hosted by Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu, and who better than Mdoda and her infectious personality?
When that journey ended, she went on to host Celebrity Game Night SA, which bagged a Golden Horn for Best International Format Show at the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) in 2020 and was nominated again this year.
Right now, Mdoda is making waves with her production company Rose and Oaks, which she started with her then fellow 947 breakfast team members Frankie du Toit and Paul Buys in 2018. In fact, it was recently confirmed that her company, in partnership with Primedia, has secured the SA rights for ‘The Masked Singer’.
In a recent interview with Mdoda, who was joined by several actresses from ‘Ludik’ – Tina Redman, Inge Beckham and Diaan Lawrenson – she touched on the decision to spread her wings and expand her portfolio on this Netflix project.
She acknowledged: “It is a talking point because I believe the industry, we love a Seabiscuit story. Something that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen and then when it does happen it is such a triumphant moment for everyone involved.
“(At) our wrap party when we were done shooting ’Ludik’, just the spirit and the euphoria were amazing.”
The script was penned by Buys and Annemarie van Basten. Mdoda said:
“There were many times where the characters dangled in front of you and it's a bigger character and it looks easier and it looks like it is going to have more commercial juice and you stop and you realise what you said you would never compromise on.”
The radio personality, who recently hosted Miss SA 2022, said they were meticulous about staying true to the script – right down to Daan Ludik (Arnold Vosloo), driving a Toyota Land Cruiser in Pretoria.
On bagging Vosloo, Mdoda said Buys went to crazy lengths to secure the star.
“It was a big deal. It is so lovely for us to bank him. Arnold is such a leader on set.” As for the storyline centred on a kidnapping, the executive producer said:
“What I love about ‘Ludik’ in the very dark spaces, whether its the kidnapping or the underworld, you must remember that there is family… Beyond the skop, skiet and donder, there is an underlying theme of family.” As for her new role and what she takes away from ‘Ludik’, Mdoda admitted: “For me, my mantra has always been, ‘Don’t be afraid to suck at something new.’
“I’ve been in the industry for 20 years now. What are the next 20 years going to be like, it can’t look the same? And that is why you go into spaces where you keep quiet and listen, where you are guided, where you ask questions….”
‘Ludik’ is streaming on Netflix.
Diaan Lawrenson as Anet ‘Ludik’ in the series. Picture: Courtesy of Netflix
Arnold Vosloo as Daan Ludik in ‘Ludik’. Picture: Courtesy of Netflix
Inge Beckham as Rina Goosen. Picture: Courtesy of Netflix
