Original subtitles

Mothapo! Wake up, man. Wake up.

Wake up, Naledi. Wake up.

Mothapo! Mothapo!

Wake up!

Mothapo! Wake up!

No, Mothapo, we have to do something about this.

My husband…

I love you with the love given to me

by God and our ancestors.

With this love…

may our ancestors…

heal you and make you whole again.

My Queen.

I'm told that Mathibela has already left for the conference.

What are we going to do now?

I don't know.

I can't think right now.

So tell me, did you know that Mothapo is from a royal family?

-From a royal family? -Yes.

I'm also Mandela's close cousin.

You see? It makes sense.

Whatever.

You see, I told you.

Mothapo is a king in the making.

If you're telling the truth

then I feel sorry for his people.

No, my brother.

What's the problem? You can see that he's treating us well.

What makes you think he will not make a good king to his people?

A king behaves in a certain way.

When they laugh, they laugh like kings.

They don't just laugh.

You're talking nonsense.

Excuse me.

I'm late for work and I don't have the App.

May I please get a taxi to Rosebank?

Hey!

How are you, sister?

That, my sister…

is going to cost you R150.

-Where are you going again? -Rosebank.

Rosebank?

Today is my lucky day.

Wow!

There we go!

Wow, what a beautiful lady.

My love, you know what?

I want to buy a new car next month.

What! My goodness.

Remember how skeptical I was about the taxi business?

Look at us now.

Who would've thought that one day we would live in a place like this?

This is just the beginning, my love.

I love you, Mothapo.

Bye.

Honestly!

So it means nothing to Lerumo…

that his father is ill.

Huh?

Wow!

Anyway, what is he doing in China?

He said the Chinese are interested in investing here, my Queen.

That will certainly surprise his father.

My gosh!

Lerumo.

Did anyone manage to get hold of Mothapo?

We tried, my Queen.

We went to his old address.

They said he moved a year ago.

They have not seen him in over a year.

Alright, that's fine.

My Queen.

Mafa?

Please come here.

When is Mathibela coming back?

The traditional healer's conference ends in three days.

He will only be back then.

Hello, my love.

How was your trip?

It went well.

Please put this in my room, I will come and tell you all about it.

-Alright. -Thank you.

Greetings.

Mother. You called for me?

Take a seat.

I want you to listen to me very carefully.

If I find out

that you have anything to do with your father's condition,

I will curse my womb

and the day I gave birth to you.

Do you hear me?

Out of all the people,

you had to accuse me?

I'm not accusing you, I need you to understand

that your father…

is a true king.

A king leads his people

with courage and truth.

How was your trip to China?

These Chinese want to come and build a resort.

They will create employment opportunities for the villagers.

I want to create opportunities in our community.

You must first convince your father

about this nonsense you're talking about.

There is no way that he wouldn't support this.

Mom, has anyone heard from Mothapo?

I knew it.

Mothapo will never come back home.

Even when our father is ill.

He's probably waiting for him to die.

You've always made things easy for him.

Lerumo.

You're talking rubbish!

It's the truth, Mom.

Everyone knows that Mothapo is your favorite.

He is a disgrace to this family!

Get out! Out!

You're causing friction in the family with your nonsense.

My goodness.

My love.

Why are you so soft towards your mother?

Oh, just shut up!

What type of a king are you going to be if you're this soft?

Are you trying to aggravate me?

No.

I would never do that.

Being a king is a huge responsibility

and we're not up for it.

What do you want me to do?

I don't know.

But your father is gravely ill.

So…

you're the only one.

Banareng!

Greetings!

My people…

would like to thank God and our ancestors

for giving me two sons,

Lerumo and Mothapo.

My people…

one of these days…

as I am also human…

I will be called to rest.

I will die.

When the day comes, my eldest son,

Mothapo will take over the throne.

I will give him the chief's rod

but I will not give him mine

while I'm still alive.

Hail!

Hail!

Mothapo! Come and ride.

Are you ready?

You said you know how to swim.

Swim then, let's see.

Hey! What are you doing?

Piss off! Go home.

Let's go.

Boys, where are you from?

Your father warned you not to come and play this side.

-But… -The water snake will swallow you.

Where's Mothapo?

Move!

Mothapo!

Mothapo, wake up!

Your father will be very angry if he finds out about this.

Mothapo!

Wake up, my son.

Wake up, Monareng.

Wake up, son.

Hey! Don't forget to call your Uber guy.

Yes, I will but only after I beat you.

We'll see about that!

-Look, look. -Me? Defeat?

-Yeah. -My man, I'm a jack of all trades.

In and outside the pitch.

Ah, jack of all trades?

If I win this one,

drinks are on you tonight, right?

Gentlemen, please don't go to Alexandra today.

You heard what happened to Phineas?

Yes, we did.

Does anyone have any other issues?

No.

I don't have a problem, Mothapo.

As long as all the cars are serviced.

What I'd like to say while we're all here

is that we need to work harder.

My brother, you must have a safe trip home.

And please bring us a bag of avocados

so we can paint this place green.

As for me, please bring me half a packet of lightning

with a little pinch of a stroke.

I heard that you can even buy a pack of heart attacks for R20.

I didn't say I'm going home, I'm going to Pretoria.

So be quiet before I turn you into a frog.

Sorry, gents.

Hey, you crook.

You never told me that you're a professional soccer player.

Yeah, I will come and pick you up in about six minutes.

Bye.

Gent's, I will see you after the weekend, alright?

Son!

Don't disappoint me.

You must be a great leader to the Banareng people.

Hey, are you okay?

Yes, I'm fine.

Wow, it looks like you've seen a ghost.

You came earlier. You're usually late.

You're a superstar.

I'd never keep you waiting long.

You're kidding!

You will be crowned king…

eventually.

You will be King of Banareng.

I don't have much time! Make it happen, now!

Then we'll have to explore other options.

Sewagodimo.

Tell me something.

What is wrong with my father?

Don't worry about your father.

He will be okay.

Your brother seems to be the weak one.

He might pose a problem in the future.

What did you say to me?

You said I must light the candles

and use the muti around the yard so that they all fall asleep!

That dog will never set foot in that house!

He will never set foot there again.

I would be proving not to be the son of the great Mathubadifala.

I'm talking about a real man.

As long as Mothapo is alive, he will fight back.

You will bring money.

Foreign money.

Everyone will respect you.

Listen, Sewagodimo,

about that stupid brother of mine.

If he's going to be problematic…

then we must deal with him accordingly.

I will need a cow.

A calf.

For that type of ritual.

I will let you know when to do it.

Please could I sleep in one of your rooms?

It's too late for me to drive back…

and I'm exhausted.

Alright.

When you hear weird sounds…

just sleep.

It will be the Sewagodimo grandchildren.

Just carry on sleeping and pretend you didn't hear a thing.

Can you show me to the room?

First door on your right.

My love.

You're awake?

Where are my sons?

I dreamt that Koko Mmabore came to take me.

But when she saw my sons…

she changed her mind.

They came in with a young man…

and he was wearing a crown.

-A crown? -Yes.

But the crown you're talking about went missing a long time ago.

Let me get you some water.

But this young man was wearing it.

Hmm?

He was wearing the crown.

-Wow. -Eish!

Hi, honey.

How are you?

I'm good and you?

I'm good.

I'm sorry, love.

Hello, Zondi.

What?

Where?

I'm coming!

Zondi says the driver was hijacked.

I will be back.

Mothapo?

Hey!

Hey!

Are you okay?

Mafa.

I didn't think I'd find you here.

The king woke up.

Your mother asked what time you came back.

I needed to take a drive to clear my head.

I wanted to get the Mothapo thing out of my head.

What is this for?

I'm bringing a lot of money into this village.

I'm doing it for my village.

If you were smart enough…

you would pick the winning side.

Hey, man! Come, come, come.

Hit it.

Nice one.

Pule!

Pule, my man, you're next.

Hit it, my man.

-Nice. -Come this way.

Is he okay?

My brother, please take over.

Here you go.

I'm just worried about what happened earlier on.

Don't worry, my friend.

I don't think it's that serious.

Just focus on Saturday's game.

Because you know we need that win for the team, right?

Yeah.

You're right, my friend.

-It's probably nothing. -Yeah.

-Drink your juice, you need sugar. -Thank you.

Pleasure, man.

This is called "molomo monate".

Everyone you talk to will listen.

So, Dad, I was thinking,

since Mothapo isn't returning home…

maybe you should consider me as your successor?

Lerumo, you are very hard-headed.

I told you a long time ago.

This isn't how we do things in the royal Banareng family.

I haven't given up on your brother.

But father, I thought--

No! Let me answer my phone.

Hello.

Come.

Come.

How are you, boss?

Ah boss, please, make my day.

And these dirty coins?

You can keep it.

You need it more than I do.

What you have now won't last forever.

You're crazy.

I'm not the one who cursed you.

-Go away. -You're crazy.

Sewagodimo, you think I'm stupid!

Your muti isn't working!

Hey man! It's not my fault that the muti isn't working.

Blame it on your ancestors.

Your father is a king.

His ancestors are powerful.

Don't tell me stories.

I'm giving you three hours

to give me the powers I need, otherwise, I'm going to kill you.

You will join your ancestors, do you hear me?

You're just a small boy

I can destroy you!

Get out!

Go play with your Chinese people.

Yeah, Pule.

What?

When?

Hey, my boy.

It seems we have the same sickness.

Do you also get dizzy?

What sickness?

I just get a bit dizzy every time I stand up too quickly.

Okay, so what did the security guy say?

-Pule! -Uh, Security?

Good day, sir.

I found something.

Come and have a look.

Okay.

Do you see this lady?

She's the one who had the keys.

She always comes here.

Do you recognize her, Pule?

She only came here once.

It was a one-night-stand situation which went bad.

That witch thinks I'll let him waste my money just like that!

If I had a gun,

I would blow his brains out.

My love.

You can't do that.

That man is a witch.

Please calm down.

He's going to destroy you.

So…

go back and apologize before he curses you.

Curse who? Me?

Lerumo.

Lerumo?

You need to go back and apologize.

The heartless man himself.

Do you remember me?

I almost forgot I have such a beautiful wife.

The apple of my eye.

Baby…

leave your hair and come here.

Oh my goodness!

Wow! You look amazing.

My love.

I was thinking about what you said to me earlier.

Your brother, Mothapo, isn't the one standing in your way.

It's your father.

He's the one standing in your way.

Are you suggesting that I do something about my father?

You said it, not me.

My love.

Look at it like a game of chess.

You win big by conquering the big pieces.

The pawns are nothing to worry about.

I understand, my love.

But you know me…

I'm not that evil.

My love.

You want this throne so badly,

knowing very well that it belongs to your brother.

That makes you evil.

Now the question is…

how far are you willing to go?

You're very smart, Matlhatse.

This is why I love you so much.

I promise you,

very soon, you'll become a great queen.

And you are going to be a great king.

So…

how about we finish this between the sheets?

It's that time of the month.

Strictly no entry.

No, come on.

Come on.

I was so ready.

-Ah, man! -I'm sorry.

It's all yours.

It's not going anywhere.

Mothapo, my brother.

Please hear me out.

I'm not trying to interfere with your beliefs.

Maybe you should consult with

a traditional healer to help you.

Because the way things are happening,

something isn't right.

I thought it was only us rural people

who believe in witchcraft.

Even you people in the township?

-Thank you. -Thank you.

Oh, my goodness!

I will need to do an engine overhaul.

This is going to cost me a lot of money.

As I was saying--

Stop with your witchcraft talk!

You African people.

Pule.

Pule?

My child.

My child.

Pule, are you okay?

I'm okay, Mom. I'm okay.

It's nothing.

Seems like there's something wrong.

It's good to hear about your father.

Now that he's up…

it shouldn't be long before he signs the papers.

Not at all, Mr. Ling.

He likes and supports the idea very much.

Very good.

This…

is a sign of good faith

and friendship in business.

To friendship and business.

To my knowledge, the board members are flying in on Friday, midday.

We can schedule a meeting for 17:00?

Not a problem.

Friday at 17:00 is fine with me.

I believe your father will have signed by then?

Yeah. Definitely.

Do you like it?

I was still telling you about your father.

His parents rejected me.

They didn't approve of me at all.

Not at all.

So I ended up going to live with my aunt in Tembisa.

The best thing for you…

is to go back home, to your father's family.

Mom.

If they rejected you…

what makes you think they will accept me?

It's important that you reunite with your father's family.

Tradition demands us to do so.

Once you go there…

their ancestors will open their hearts and accept you.

In everything that you do, honor their ancestors.

I hear you.

Your brother, Mothapo, isn't the one in your way.

It's your father.

Sewagodimo, I've made a decision.

I've decided to get rid of both of them.

That's going to be too dangerous.

Secondly…

it will be too obvious.

They are both in my way and in the way of the people.

Lerumo.

That piece of land behind the mountain…

is out of the question.

It has been sacred to us for generations.

But Dad, that land doesn't serve us anymore.

Our people are moving with the times.

These things no longer hold any significance.

Look at initiation schools.

Most of them prefer to go to hospitals…

because initiation schools have such a bad reputation.

One of these days we'll have to accept that we're losing the battle.

In fact, our ancestors…

lost the battle before us.

We are just resisting the inevitable.

That's going to be very dangerous.

And it's going to put my life in danger.

What if Mothapo changes his mind and comes back to claim my throne?

Tell me.

Who's life is worth taking?

What is a village without its roots?

The very same Chinese people you told me about…

are cultural people.

Their culture dates back many years.

I can't waste my time telling you what you already know.

Hey, son.

That's a very nice watch you have there.

It looks very expensive.

Father?

Let's say the Chinese buy this land

and turn it into a lucrative business hub.

Would you not consider it as a blessing from the ancestors?

Listen to me carefully.

This land…

has to benefit our children,

grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

If we don't do that what is the point of our existence?

What's the use of gaining money and losing our inheritance?

I understand, Father.

I thank God and our ancestors for healing you.

As for my father…

my father needs to die.

The ancestors have proved to me that they are powerful.

We have to do the same for our chil--

Noma.

I need you, Noma.

Okay.

Something is happening to me.

I don't know what it is.

Let me ask someone to stand in for me.

You'll be fine.

My love.

Tell me.

What happened to that Thulare girl

who Mothapo was seeing?

You mean Mampho?

Yes, that one.

She got swallowed by the city life.

Oh, she's in Gauteng?

Mampho…

is not from a royal family.

No, that can't be, my love.

Mampho is from a royal family.

She's from a real royal family.

She's from the Sekhukhune family.

-Really? -Yes.

Okay.

Let's not talk about this now.

Please get some rest.

We have enough time to talk about all of this.

Get some rest now, my love.

Okay?

Lerumo.

I hope you've finally made up your mind.

I've thought really hard about it.

Mothapo is just a drop in the ocean.

I'll deal with him later.

Pule. How are you?

I'm picking up a client at the airport. I'll see you in 30 minutes.

Bye.

My king.

Lerumo isn't in his quarters.

The municipality hasn't approved our budget yet.

What?

But didn't Lerumo submit it already?

I'm so close to creating the best district here in Limpopo.

These guys don't understand.

Lerumo was preoccupied with the Chinese.

Man, that boy!

My father must die.

Sewagodimo, do you think I'm stupid?

You have three hours…

to give me the powers that I need, otherwise, I'm going to kill you.

You will join your ancestors!

Do you hear me?

So you think killing your father will get you what you want?

It will give me a chance.

Hey, hey!

Polokwane, this side!

It's going to Polokwane.

There goes Polokwane.

Let's go to Polokwane!

Polokwane!

Polokwane, this side.

Polokwane!

Polokwane here.

Mothapo?

You know…

I don't know if they'll accept me.

What kind of foolish father would desert a great son like you?

You're like a father figure to me.

A father figure I never had.

Come. Get going before the taxi gets full.

You have a long way to go.

-See you, Mothapo. -Go well.

Your brother, Mothapo, isn't the one in your way,

but your father is.

If I discover that you have anything to do with your father's condition,

I will curse my womb.

This is the wilderness.

Just like what we are about to do.

Before us is the fire.

This fire signifies something big.

So…

I want you…

to swear in front of this fire an oath of secrecy!

Let's not waste time.

Banareng.

Banareng.

Your ancestors have heard my call.

Let's go ahead with the ritual.

I know the Molepo's.

I know your father.

You are Monareng.

What we're about to do is huge.

I have to make sure that they are punished for their actions.

Mothapo. Wake up!

Wake up, Monareng.

Wake up.

I trust that your grandfather, King Molepo III

will be very happy to see you.

What do you mean?

Don't worry, we'll talk when we get there.

My King.

Mathibela.

Thank you for coming.

My King…

maybe the ancestors will show you mercy…

because your grandson has come home.

Good day, grandfather.

Oh, my grandson.

My grandson…

I give you my blessings.

Your father is gone…

but he will return.

And you, my grandchild…

should come back.

Thank you for coming Mathibela.

I was really worried while you were gone.

So…

I want you to throw your bones…

and tell me what to do to appease the ancestors.

Mothapo?

We're behind on the rent.

It's been months now.

Honey.

You haven't called me that in a long time. What's going on, Mothapo?

Nothing seems to be working out.

My life is at a standstill.

My King.

Don't you think Pule should take Mothapo's place on the throne?

He's Pule's father.

You know, Mafa.

We have no choice.

As you can see my days are numbered.

Hello?

Is this the private investigator's office?

Yes, I need to speak to someone who can help me trace a person.

Oh, okay.

Won't that upset Lerumo?

Lerumo is my son…

and I'm his father.

Hey, man.

I know this townhouse.

Do you know anyone who lives there?

My father stays there.

Where does your mother come from?

She's from a place called Ga-Mothapo.

Is her name…

Mampho?

Pule.

I'm your father.

Pule! Please hear me out!

Pule, listen.

Pule. Pule. Pule!

My parents pressured me into separating from your mother.

Hear me out, Pule.

Pule. Pule!

Please give me a chance to explain myself.

I know there's nothing I can say

that will change everything that happened.

I had no power over the situation, Pule.

I've failed you as a father.

But…

not a single day went by without me thinking about you.

I thought of you on your birthday.

I wanted to know where you were.

Your mother and I…

were in love.

I was her first love.

I promised her…

we were going to be together until "death do us part".

We separated because

my parents didn't want me to marry her

because she wasn't from a royal family.

I failed to protect her, Pule.

Pule.

Please forgive me.

Please forgive me.

But why?

I think it's time I take you back home.

But I'm from there, remember?

This means…

it's time for you and I to go back to Ga-Mothapo.

Mothapo! Wake up, my child.

Wake up, son. Wake up.

You're just a small boy.

I can destroy you.

Get out!

Go play with your Chinese people.

Lerumo.

Lerumo.

Wake up.

Get up, let's go. We've been here for a while.

It's already dark.

Let's go before the wolves attack us.

Wake up, let's go.

How long have we been here?

Banareng!

Greetings!

Bakhutama.

Our beloved king who loved us, has left us.

And…

Mafa.

I'll take over from here.

Greetings.

We've taken a decision not to wait for my father's burial

to appoint a successor.

As of today, I'm your leader.

My father will be buried tomorrow morning.

Moshate!

Love.

What makes you think…

they will allow you to marry me…

if they didn't let you marry Pule's mother?

Just because she's not from royalty?

Don't worry, Noma.

I will fix everything.

I will speak to my parents.

They will listen.

All is well.

Soon you'll have well-developed land here.

Mother.

You're looking for me?

I am.

Please call the elders and the council.

I need an urgent meeting with them.

You also have to be there.

Mother.

What is this meeting about?

What?

I'm just wondering,

because you're still mourning.

Are you questioning my authority?

Lerumo?

Are you questioning my authority?

I'm not questioning your authority, Mom.

You shouldn't have let her order you like that, Lerumo.

You're the king.

But she's my mother.

You're going to regret it.

So actually…

Mothapo didn't even bother to come to his father's funeral?

She will turn the people against you.

What will I regret?

Everyone loves me.

You're going to have to get used to me.

I'm here to stay.

I told my mother that all she needs to do is support me.

My elders.

Come closer. I have a message for you.

As you all know, I'm the new king.

As of today, the royal council will change.

The position of chief advisor

and the royal traditional healer

will be occupied by one person.

Some of you might know him.

Sewagodimo! Come out.

Any further changes will be communicated after the first royal council meeting.

For now…

let us lay my father to rest in honor.

Moshate!

-Banareng! -Greetings.

My mother has something important to tell us.

She will join us soon.

The truth is…

I understand our tradition.

But I want to marry Noma…

my girlfriend from Gauteng.

Monareng.

There is nothing wrong with that.

Noma is the woman you chose.

But remember…

you need to follow and respect our culture.

Mampho…

is the woman who gave you a son.

Our future King.

What about Noma?

Look.

There's nothing wrong with having two wives.

Thank you, Bagoma.

I understand.

I will honor our king, my father's wishes.

Monareng.

The prodigal son has returned to claim my throne!

After all these years in the city?

He even brought his ugly son with him!

Lerumo.

This isn't the time for fighting

and please respect my son.

Mothapo.

And if I don't, what will you do?

He's an idiot, just like his father!

It's about time that…

all the secrets are revealed.

All the secrets and curses that have been affecting the royal family.

They will all be revealed.

The ancestors will never allow the Banareng nation to be disbanded.

The Banareng ancestors will deal with you.

Thank you.

Banareng.

We're on the last part of the program.

Our mother. Our Queen.

My son.

Your father…

led his people…

with honor.

I ask that you follow in his footsteps.

My son.

I plead with you…

don't just lead from the front.

But be an honorable leader.

Do you understand?

Thank you, my Queen.

Monareng.

My King.

My leader.

This…

Signifies that you're a king.

My King.

My ruler.

My King.

My people.

Please may I have your attention!

Let's all stand.

Let's toast to our King Mothapo

on his union with his wife.

We wish them all the best in their marriage.

King Molepo.

The prodigal son has come back to claim my throne.

I've made a decision.

I want both of them dead.

This fire signifies something big.

I have to make sure that they're punished for their actions.

Our ancestors.

Did I not tell you?

Remember my words?

I said those who have been doing evil things,

the ancestors will deal with them.

You can't hide anything from our ancestors.

This is the work of our ancestors.

What is this? Look at him now.

He is being punished by our ancestors.