Season 2
Zabalaza radically changed existing storylines towards the end of Season 2, starting with Season 2, Episode 172 (Episode 380 in the series, entitled "Fresh Starts") on Thursday 26 February 2015, at 21h00. Although the name of the show remained the same, in promotional materials it was referred to as "Zabalaza: A New World".
Set after the Morapamas experienced an unforeseen and dramatic rupture that left the legacy of Joseph "Jazzman" Morapama in tatters. The family factory – which was at the heart of Zabalaza's narrative - was destroyed in a fire, setting the scene for a completely new storyline with a new cast.
This new era of Zabalaza sees the show's characters step into an urban milieu that has all the ingredients of a 21st century soapie – a tangle of sex, drugs, egos, back-stabbing and sometimes lethal ambition.
Now shrugged free of the legacy of the old, a great deal of Zabalaza's action takes place in the Braamfontein offices of an events management company that has its eyes on making it to the top of a hotly contested industry.
With two company directors, two employees and a bevy of interns and freelancers, Slick Vic Media has a client list that is deeply impressive – but that also features some of Johannesburg's less salubrious characters.
Heading the charge towards glitz and glory is Sydney Lwana, played by Zolisa Xaluva. Sydney is Slick Vic Media's MD, who fancies himself as a citizen of the world but who harbours dark desires that would create a rift between him and his creative director, Victor Ndou.
Perpetually single and always a player, Victor is played by Bohang Moeko (a previous Mr South Africa finalist). Only Victor's mother, Victoria, a deal-maker in the mining and media industries, holds much sway over Slick Vic Media's Creative Director. Sharp-witted – and even sharper-tongued – Victoria is played by Rosie Motene.
Other new characters to join Zabalaza included: Tessa Twala as Lexi Thabane – a PR assistant who rapidly realises that she will never be treated as an equal at Slick Vic Media and so joins a rival company as she journeys to a position of power.
Angela Sithole plays Terry Ramotsetsi, a PR Guru and member of the now generation who finds love in all the wrong places.
The list of new cast members was completed by Tango Ncetezo in the role of Mapule Pule, a workaholic production manager who must try and reconcile the conflict between the values that she believes in and what is needed to succeed in the hard-bitten event industry.
The series was created by Portia Gumede and Lebone Maema. Writers include Dudu Mabaso and Cleo Rinkwest. Herbert Hadebe directed the pilot and other directors include Bromley Cawood and Magic A.M. Hlatshwayo.
Storyliners are Malusi Bengu and Chisanga Kabinga and other writers include Marc Bloom, Paul Crilley and Linda Bere. The creative director is Portia Gumede and the series producer is Burgert Muller. The executive producers are Lebone Maema and Danie Ferreira.
Season 2 Cast
(scroll to bottom of list for actor bios)
Starring
Baby Cele ... Gasta Cele
Mpho Joseph Molepo ... Mthunzi Cele (as Mpho J. Molepo)
Zandile Msutwana ... Lindiwe Cele
Thami Afrika ... David Cele (as Thami Sithole)
Manaka Ranaka ... Buhle "Beauty" Cele
Matli Mohapeloa ... Moss Cele
Junior Singo ... Qiniso "Q" Cele
Mbali Ntuli ... Nelisiwe "Neli" Moabi (as M. Nombali Ntuli)
Lindiwe Ndlovu ... Sponono
Loyiso MacDonald ... Ray (as Loyiso Macdonald)
Khulu Skenjana ... Ntsika
Zolisa Xaluva ... Sydney Lwana
Bohang Moeko ... Victor Ndou
Rosie Motene ... Victoria Ndou
Tessa Twala ... Lexi Thabane
Angela Sithole ... Terry Ramotsetsi
Tango Ncetezo ... Mapule Pule
Recurring / Guests
Kabomo ... Herbert (as Kabomo Vilakazi)
Mthunzi Ntoyi ... Waka
Nonhle Thema ... Kgomotso
Omuhle Gela ... My Girl
Siyasanga Kobese ... Siphokazi
Talitha Ndima ... Nandi
Clementine Mosimane ... Aunt Thembi
Martin Le Maitre ... Tony
Sisanda Henna ... Max
Elliot Makhubo ... Lithebe
Linda Sebezo ... Ma Betty
Gabriel Mini ... Thabo
Cornet Mamabolo ... Tebza (as Cornette Mamabolo)
Kagiso Rakosa ... Mbali
Magic Hlatshwayo ... Kani
Moliehi Makobane ... Precious (as Moliehi Didi Makobane)
Zizi Peteni ... Private Investigator
Innocent Mahlangu ... Orlando
Lesley Musina ... Thomas
Jessica Mbangeni ... Nina K
Sheena Deepnarain ... Stripper 2
Peter Mashigo ... Benjy
Buyile Mdladla ... Mongi
Alyzzander Fourie ... Big Ben
Khabonina Qubeka ... Bongi
Themba Nofemele ... Buyile
Jabari Makhooane ... Gun Dealer
Moneoa Moshesh ... Celebrity
Maria Selepe ... Mam'Ncane
Masoja Msiza ... Larry
Regina Makgokga ... Ma Buthelezi
Didi Makhubalo ... Precious
Mfiso Mngomezulu ... Sello
Mpho Ranwedzi ... Mafinyela
Aron Khunou ... Doctor (as Aron 'Zion' Khunou)
Ivy Nkutha ... Ma Kope
Sbusiso Mkhaliphi ... Baby Shaka (later: Sibusiso Sindisiwe as Shaka)
Natasha Matthee ... Physiotherapist
Felicity Shange ... Matron
Hughan Butler ... Kenny
Inneke van Wyk ... Tony's Receptionist
Carl Roddam ... David's Doctor
Catherine Dumakude ... Granite's Mother
Sipho Ngoma ... Grootman
Nthabiseng Shabiso ... HIV Counselor
Mosetlha Makwati ... Cronie
Welherninah Bokaba ... Pinky (could be Welheminah Bokaba)
Aubrey Moalosi ... Bangaziwe
Thabiso Lekoba ... Inyanga
Victoria Molebaloa ... Pupil
Kethukuthula Ndlamini ... Sheriff
Grace Barnes ... Stripper 1
Bobo Sithole ... Custom Guy/Custom Official
Z2H ... Robbers
Steven Pillemer ... Doctor
George Christou ... Johnny
Jacques Henrico ... Goon
Thabang Makwale ... Goon
Mzimasi Nongwe ... Nyaope Dealer
Mbali Nkosi ... Brenda (HR Lady)
Moses Rasekele ... Hitman
Arno Botes ... Investigator
Gabriella Abrahams ... Estate Agent
Malesela Kgoadi ... Producer
Anne-Marie Clulow ... Events Expert
Ivy Mbenoun ... Salon Assistant
Anne Nhira ... Salon Assistant
Moses Semenya ... Mr Nxalo
Batsile Ramasodi ... Tumi
Fadeen Mia ... Hospital Manager (later as Fedeen Mia)
Sbusiso Black Madondo ... Jimbo
Keorapetse ... Young Boy
Betty Nemauluma ... Cecilia