Filmmaker Sello "Chicco" Twala has changed the name of his forthcoming movie The Fall And Rise Of Mama Action, inspired by the life of politician and ANC Deputy General Secretary, Nomvula Mokonyane. In political circles, Mokonyane is known by the nickname Mama Action.

ZiMoja has learnt that Chicco decided to change the title of the movie because no TV station or streaming services wanted to commision it because of political implications. �" Nomvula is aware of the movie and has made inquiries to find out if her name has been mentioned,” adds the source. The source says SABC who promised to commission the movie changed tune after finding out that it involved a prominent figure. �"ANC is powerful especially around the SABC doors," According to the source Twala can’t take his movie to Multi Choice because he was one of the people who matched against the satellite television service few years ago.

The film also features the controversial personalities, Kelly Khumalo and Khanyi Mbau, and the legendary singer, actress and former Idols judge, Mara Louw, Ntshepiseng Montshiwa, Fiona Chimusasa, King Jange and Owen Madiba. Chicco told ZiMoja that he wants the movie to be at an international level. He said: "We shot new scenes so we are busy incorporating them with the old scenes," he added.

The movie is now title is Worse Than Apartheid. The music mogul would not be drawn into discussing the real reasons the name of the movie was changed. He said: "Together with my co-producers, we decided to change the name so we could release the film internationally and also taking it to film festivals," he said. He insisted that the content will stay the same. Mokonyane was implicated in the Bosasa corruption during the State Capture Commission. Agrizzi, who appeared at the inquiry in 2020 , said Mokonyane had benefited from security upgrades worth R40 000 to her Krugersdorp home. He also testified that Mokonyane received monthly payments from Bosasa and that he, Agrizzi, was present when the late and former Bosasa chief executive Gavin Watson visited Mokonyane’s home and handed her a bag filled with cash. Mokonyane also allegedly received food parcels and donations from Bosasa for the burial of her son. She denied the allegations against her. 

SYNOPSIS

In a previous interview with ZiMoja, Chicco said the movie is based on true events of Mama Action and a disgruntled rubble collector who blames her and some of her corrupt colleagues in politics for ruining his life. "Jimmy Sbu Kandaba (Mama Action’s boyfriend) is one of the corrupt politicians who steals the wife of a rubble collector," says the synopsis.Twala told ZiMoja that the movie might ruffle some feathers in the political circles but that he believed it is time people talk openly about corruption. "Rest assured, I didn’t defame anyone in the movie," he said.