EKHAYA: A Family Chronicle 

Dramatic Series, 1997
13 Episodes x 1 hour

 
Apartheid tore their country apart...their family held them together.

This award-winning unique, compelling series, filmed on location in Johannesburg, South Africa and Toronto, Canada, chronicles the life of Darryl Malgas (Eric Miyeni of Cry, the Beloved Country and Bophal) and his family.  The 13 hour-long episodes are structured around the story of his political awakening, arrest, torture, exile and escape to Canada.  Through a series of interwoven subplots – variously funny, dramatic and intriguing – we are irresistibly drawn into the stories that express the fears, hopes, petty squabbles, joys and heartbreaks of the people that inhabit Darryl’s world.

The series begins in Canada in the fall of 1989, just prior to Nelson Mandela’s release and the repeal of apartheid.  Darryl’s Canadian wife Rosa (Julie Stewart) is frightened of the possible repercussions facing Darryl if he returns to South Africa after his father is killed.  Despite an outstanding warrant for arrest, Darryl is determined to return to discover the circumstances surrounding his father's death.

AWARDS

Cinema Tout Ecran - Best New Dramatic Series

Gemini Nomination- Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role, David Meyer “First Love, Then War Part 1”