Lobola Man is a 2024 South African romantic comedy film directed by Thabang Moleya and written and produced by Katleho Ramaphakela. It’s the story of Ace Ngubeni, a slick lobola negotiator, who faces his toughest deal yet for a shy client — only to find the stakes are higher than cash.Â
Plot
The Rom-Com drama opens with Ace Ngubeni, a cynical lobola negotiator whose life revolves around his work and philandering. Lobola is a traditional practice where the groom pays the bride’s family a token of appreciation for raising their daughter. However, just like marriage itself, this was something Ace saw as nothing more than a scam. As a conman, Ace capitalised on this tradition by posing as a family member and securing lower lobola prices for his clients.
Ace’s world soon takes a major turn when he crosses paths with Duke, a timid tech entrepreneur who owns the Made-Date app. Duke was facing a serious dilemma regarding his lobola. His fiancée, Zandi, comes from a wealthy, tradition-bound family, while Duke’s own family lacks the social standing to negotiate a favourable lobola deal. Desperate for help, Duke turns to Ace. However, Ace initially refuses, unwilling to comply with Duke’s unusual request: none of Duke’s family members are to be present, and Ace would need to enlist fake relatives for the negotiations. After some persuasion, Ace finally agreed, setting the stage for a tense and unpredictable journey for both men.
During a night out with his best friend, Ace encounters a woman who immediately catches his eye. Despite her blunt rejection, Ace was persistent in his pursuit. However, as the story unfolds, it’s revealed that this woman was Zandi, Duke’s fiancée—a fact that Ace remains unaware of at the time. Later, Duke confides in Zandi about his plan to involve Ace in the lobola negotiations. He lied that Ace was his cousin and would be standing in as a proxy for his family. To smooth over the arrangement, Duke suggests a lunch meeting between Ace, Zandi, and himself. However, it was during this lunch that the true nature of Duke and Zandi’s relationship was revealed to Ace, leaving him both shocked and disappointed. Despite his initial reaction, Ace decided to go along with the plan after some contemplation.
When both men meet with Mr. Zungu, Zandi’s father, they request his blessing for Ace to represent Duke’s family during the lobola negotiations. While Duke is reserved and timid, Ace exudes confidence, which begins to catch Zandi’s attention. As their interactions unfold, Zandi, a strong-willed and independent woman, finds herself drawn to Ace’s assertiveness—qualities that Duke lacks but Ace possesses in abundance. Ace opens up to Zandi about his past. He shares how his only connection with his own father was through a series of cheating escapades, followed by ice cream to ease the guilt. This conversation ties back to the film’s opening scene, providing context to Ace’s deeply rooted cynicism toward relationships and marriage.
As the story unfolds, an intriguing dynamic develops between Duke and his PA, Rachael. In the same way, Zandi and Ace find themselves growing closer, so much so that Ace opens up to Zandi about his past. He shares how his only connection with his own father was through a series of cheating escapades, followed by ice cream to ease the guilt. This conversation ties back to the film’s opening scene, providing context to Ace’s deeply rooted cynicism toward relationships and marriage. Over time, both Duke and Zandi began to have doubts about their relationship.
The day of the lobola negotiation finally arrived, and the fake family Ace had assembled to meet the Zungu family. As the Zungus presented their price, Ace’s emotions began to interfere with the negotiation. Tensions rise, and cracks start to show in the carefully constructed facade. The situation worsens when one of Zandi’s friends recognizes Ace from a previous job, and Zandi confronts Duke and Ace about what she found out. In the heat of the moment, she inadvertently revealed the kiss that almost took place between Ace and herself, sparking a physical altercation between the two men.
Devastated and heartbroken, Ace retreats to confront his father, where he opens up about the deep-rooted emotional trauma from his childhood—specifically, how his father’s infidelities had shaped his distrust of love and relationships. This moment of reckoning allows Ace to come to terms with his past and reflect on his current feelings.
As the story reaches its climax, the film leaves viewers questioning what will become of Duke and Zandi’s marriage plans, and how the evolving dynamics between Ace and Zandi will play out. Will Ace’s cynicism and heartbreak allow him to find love, or has the weight of his past pushed him too far from ever believing in it again?
Cast
Lobola Man boasts a talented cast, with Lawrence Maleka delivering a standout performance as Ace Ngubeni. His portrayal of the cynical lobola negotiator was as effortless as it was captivating, adding depth to the film and making it worth watching. Maleka’s acting was just as impressive as his hosting skills, blending charm and complexity into his character.
Kwanele Mthethwa, playing Zandi, was also exceptional, bringing strength and vulnerability to her role. Her portrayal adds emotional depth to the story, making her character both relatable and compelling. Sandile Mahlangu’s performance as Duke was equally impressive, convincingly playing the shy, nerdy fiancé in a role that requires subtlety and nuance. His ability to embody Duke’s timid nature adds an important dynamic to the film’s overall tone.
Supporting performances from Nimrod Nkosi as Zandi’s father, Mr. Zungu, and Standile Nkosi as Rachael help round out the ensemble cast, further enhancing the film’s charm.
Language
The film is primarily in English and Zulu, which adds authenticity to its South African setting, and the seamless blend of both languages helps bring the cultural context to life.
Summary
Lobola Man is a safe, predictable watch. While it offers a familiar story, it doesn’t bring anything particularly fresh or groundbreaking to the table. The film is riddled with clichés, often echoing the typical structure of Hollywood romance comedies. For the romantic comedy genre, the humour is sparse, with the only truly memorable comedic moment being the lobola negotiation, where the fake family dynamic provides some light-hearted amusement.
While Lobola Man is enjoyable in its own right, it doesn’t rise above the standard formula of romantic comedies. If you’re looking for something familiar and easy to watch, it fits the bill. However, don’t expect any major surprises or innovative storytelling.
Review Overview
Summary
Lobola Man is riddled with clichés, often echoing the typical structure of Hollywood romance comedies. For the romantic comedy genre, the humour is sparse, with the only truly memorable comedic moment being the lobola negotiation, where the fake family dynamic provides some light-hearted amusement.
- Costume4
- Casting4.5
- Plot 4
- Setting4.5
- Story 4