Mabaso Family Reunion Review: A Hilariously South African Comedy-Drama

Mabaso Family Reunion is a South African comedy-drama series that follows four siblings who reunite in their hometown to bury their late mother. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they discover a coffin filled with cash and a mismatched corpse at the funeral. As the family grapples with this bizarre situation, they must navigate a web of ruthless criminals and law enforcement, all while attempting to outwit those who are after the money. The series, created by Mandla N. (known for Side Dish and Piano Love) and Mpumelelo Nhlapo, introduces the Mabaso Family Reunion in a series of chaotic events.

Plot

Early on, viewers are introduced to a crooked pastor who is being pursued by people he has scammed during a church service. At the same time, Thuli, one of the family members, faces a pregnancy scare and suffers a humiliating incident when her secret is revealed. Meanwhile, Mbali, an award-winning actress, is terminated from her contract due to a leaked sex tape scandal. Thuli also faces termination from her job due to misconduct involving a married colleague. 

In the midst of these personal crises, the Mabaso family is struck with the news that their mother, Ma Mabaso, has passed away. Unfortunately, she dies just after Thuli breaks the news of her being sacked and just before being scammed by the pastor and lover, who pressures her into signing some fraudulent documents. The siblings—each dealing with their own financial and personal struggles—return home for the funeral, unaware that the event will soon spiral into a series of even more unexpected twists.

As the family gathers to mourn, they are stunned when a coffin containing both cash and the wrong corpse arrives at the funeral home. This discovery sparks a dramatic and comedic family debate over what to do with the money. Although they initially attempt to return the coffin, they eventually come into contact with the rightful owner, Hush Puppy, who complicates matters further. Meanwhile, the pastor, still looking for Ma Mabaso’s ID, is caught by Bheki, one of the family members. However, upon hearing about the large sum of money involved, Bheki decides to join forces with the pastor.

The situation escalates when, in an attempt to return the money after the kidnapping of Bheki’s daughter, the family finds themselves embroiled in a murder scene, all of which is captured on camera by the pastor. He subsequently blackmails the family, demanding one million in exchange for his silence.

The funeral itself becomes a turning point as long-buried secrets are revealed in dramatic and embarrassing ways. Thuli’s scandalous past is exposed in the most humiliating manner, and as the family’s darkest secrets surface, they are arrested for murder and the theft of five million naira. The reunion, which was meant to honor Ma Mabaso, ends in chaos, with a shocking twist: a body that was presumed dead is discovered to be alive in the coffin, and the five million naira remain at the heart of the mystery.

Cast

Thuli was played by Lerato Mvelase, Bheki by Thulani Mtsweni, Mbali by Natasha Thahabe (Blood and Water), and Bongani by Benito Khoza. Dr Jerry Mofokeng plays Pastor Pitso. The supporting cast includes Lungile Yende, Alfred Ntombela, Yolo Noruwana, and many others.

Language

Languages in the series are Zulu and English.

Summary

Although Netflix categorises Mabaso Family Reunion as a “comedy-drama,” the film ultimately fails to deliver on its comedic promise. The plot lacks the humour expected from a film of this genre, and instead, it becomes bogged down by numerous distractions that undermine its execution, resulting in a confusing narrative.

The attempt to provide each of the Mabaso siblings with a backstory to justify their desire to steal the money feels forced and detracts from the overall flow of the story. Additionally, the sequence of events leading up to the death of the mother seems overly complicated and poorly executed, suggesting weak scriptwriting. 

Overall, the mini-series struggles to engage, with a narrative that feels both dull and meandering. While it hints at the possibility of a sequel, it’s unlikely that many viewers would recommend this film to others.