Have a brief look at this South African TV drama series titled Jacob’s Cross, which centers on powerful oil magnates fighting control over Africa’s vast off-shore oil resources. At the heart of the narrative is businessman Jacob Makhubu (played by Hlomla Dandala) and his quest to build the “next great African empire.“
A fuller synopsis reads: “A South African born businessman, Jacob’s destiny changed forever when he discovered that his biological father was a Nigerian oil baron and head of the powerful Abayomi family. Fueled by his birthright, Jacob is driven by his dream to create the next great African business empire. But power and wealth are accompanied by greed and betrayal, and along the way Jacob has to navigate a sometimes treacherous world where his determination, courage and integrity are his only weapons. Family loyalties are tested, long cherished friendships are put under pressure and at the heart of it all, the balance between professional determination and personal desire are often at odds with one another.“
The series, now in its 4th season, set in both South Africa and Nigeria, and is broadcast weekly, on channels throughout the African continent.
The series has won some international acclaim, including star, Hlomla Dandala, who recently received a Creative Achievement Award, on behalf of the show, at the Los Angeles-based The Pan African Film Festival in mid-February; and it’s received 3 nominations in the upcoming Monte-Carlo Television Festival which takes place in June.
The series doesn’t appear to be available in any international markets just yet, specifically on DVD, VOD, or streaming online (although if someone out there knows something I don’t know, do share).
In the meantime, watch both episode clips below to get an idea of what the program looks, sounds and feels like, and visit the series website for more HERE (thanks E Forde for the tip):