Film Critic: Gino Shelile
Meet The Khumalos is all about dads, daughters and Durban.
Firstly, I am convinced the DTi has a watertight contract with the City of Durban because absolutely everything is getting shot there these days. Zululand aside, here is a story of boy who has already met girl and quickly meets her parents as they become the new neighbours. Sizwe Khumalo is a seemingly spoilt stud who has been dating the daughter of Bongi Sithole (played by Ayanda Borotho) much to her dismay. The disapproval is almost instant as she spots her daughter, Sphe, hopping into his German SUV.
What follows is a wild goose chase from the mad mothers in the hopes of stopping their teenagers from making out in the middle of a Ballito bush camp. Sizwe (who can’t seem to say “I love you”) has brought Sphe to the shrubs in the hopes of spending quality time together knowing that their parents would not approve of their union. Ironically, the dads could not be bothered.
Instead, the Kaizer Chiefs compatriots spend days bonding over their gout-infused platters at the local shisanyama. Vusi Khumalo and Desmond Sithole (played by Siyabonga Shibe of The Wife fame) brew a bromance over beer, beef and football – most of it in secret as they keep their friendship from their wives. Bongi and Khanyi Mbau’s character, Gracious Khumalo, also have a dark history that they have been hiding. A history that they do not hope to revisit.
Is it the best thing you will watch this year? No. Is it the worst? Sadly, neither. It is disappointingly good. It is one of those family flicks you wish you could hate but end up kicking yourself for chuckling at all the right parts. Wanda Ndzambule is a fresh-faced talent that plays an untalented rapper; Khosi Ngema (Blood & Water) speaks vernac; Nandipha Khubone is “posh, oh my gosh” as Charlotte; and, Mavis (played by Black Panther’s Connie Chiume) struggles to get her “Miracle Mud” off the ground.
The drives are scenic; the art direction is decent; the performances are convincing; and, Durban is captured beautifully. It is super predictable (but all romantic comedies are) and they really tried with the music. Alizwa Sikhafungana is also introduced as Lu, the youngest daughter of the Sithole clan.
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