Season 2
Uzalo is a South African telenovela-turned-soapie created and executive produced by Duma Ndlovu which centres round two families - the Xulus and the Mdletshes - who are unknowingly bound to each other by their sons, who were swapped at birth.
These two young men carry the hopes and legacies of these families as they face the complexities of money, family and love.
In a country with a history as complex and multifaceted as South Africa's, what are the ties that bind? Is it blood-ties that make up the family unit, or the bonds forged with perfect strangers who often become dearer to us?
Exploring themes of identity, inheritance and beliefs, a shocking secret revealed on a deathbed kicks off this fast-paced telenovela.
Each half-hour episode delves into the lives of the Mdletshe and the Xulu families who are immersed in contradictory worlds of church and crime respectively.
The drama also throws the issues of family ties and loyalties against personal ambition into sharp relief – from loving patriarchs who exert unwelcome influence on their ambitious, young sons, to the tension created amongst family members when one of them decides to pursue their own career goals and reject the family business.
Uzalo delves into what makes these ambitious and successful, yet troubled families tick.
The Mdletshes are a God-fearing family with its patriarch pastor Melusi Mdletshe (Bheki Mkhwane) presiding over the charismatic Kingdom of Canaan Church and its promising gospel choir.
The church gives a strong moral standard that is in direct conflict with the Xulu family, ruled by Muzi Xulu (Mpumelelo Bhulose), which is invested in a life of crime.
Adding to the conflict, each set of parents have a firm set of ideas of where their intelligent and driven sons' careers should be going – much to the youngsters' chagrin.
The inter-family unease co-exists against tensions between the two families, who each represent opposite sides of the moral coin in their community.
Linked by an untold secret the families battle for the soul of KwaMashu Township in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, which provides the backdrop for drama, deceit and discontent to unravel.
An awkward love-triangle and lifelong friendship between the sons of the two families provides an additional dimension of rivalry to the drama.
Written by playwright-producer Duma Ndlovu, Uzalo is produced by Gugulethu Ncube and Pepsi Pokane. The series features an ensemble cast which includes Leleti Khumalo, who plays the pastor's wife Zandile Mdletshe; as well as the KwaMashu-born actor Bheki Mkhwane in the role of pastor Melusi Mdletshe.
Newcomers Khumbulani 'Kay' Sibiya plays Ayanda Mdletshe - the charming and ambitious pastor's son - and Naymaps Maphala plays Mxolisi Xulu, the apple that has fallen far from the tree, rejecting the seedy world of crime that is his family's lifeblood.
The series was shot on location in KwaMashu's F-section with an emphasis on using local talent and the province's infrastructure to create a true-to-life depiction of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.
Created by and Executive Producer: Duma Ndlovu
Executive Producer: Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube
Executive Producer: Pepsi Pokane
Series Producer: Mmamitse Thibedi
Head Writer: Phathutshedzo Aldrean Makwarela
Storyliners: Yolanda Mogatusi, Lehasa Moloi, Zolisa Singwanda
Head Director: Alex Yazbek
Directors: King Shaft Morapama, Bruce Molema
Season 2 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Leleti Khumalo ... Zandile Mdletshe
Dawn Thandeka King ... Lindiwe Xulu
Naymaps Maphalala ... Mxolisi Xulu
Kay Sibiya ... Ayanda Mdletshe (as Khumbulani Kay Sibiya)
Recurring / Guests
Don Mlangeni Nawa ... Dhlomo
Mfana Jones Hlophe ... Zakhele (as Thembinkosi Mfana Jones Hlophe)
Sifiso Simamane ... Captain Mthimkhulu (as Sfiso Simamane)
Gugulethu Zulu ... Choir / Zwi
Londeka Mlaba ... Sibahle
Kini Shandu ... Shaun (Lawyer)
Ncibijana Madlala ... Siyabonga Mabuza
Khabonina Qubeka ... Nokuthula
Thembinkosi Thwala ... Mondli
Nompilo Maphumulo ... Nosipho Xulu
Sipho Mhlongo ... Nkosinathi Mdletshe
Sihle Ndaba ... Smangele Maphumulo
Gugu Gumede ... Mamlambo
Nokuthula Mabika ... Thobile
Khaya Dladla ... GC
Zimiphi Biyela ... Samukelisiwe / Samkelisiwe
Mlungisi Msibi ... Sicelo
Asanda Johnson ... Buhle
Thabo Mhlamvu ... Panel Beater (as Thabo Hhlamvu)
Pinkie Ntshangase ... Journalist
Xolani Ngobeni ... Policeman 1 / Police Officer
Cebolenkosi Mthetwa ... Policeman 2
Zakhele Mbhele ... Warder 1
Sabelo Ngema ... Warder 2
Mduli Bheka ... Prison Director
Raphael Mhlongo ... Prisoner
Bongani Manana ... Policeman / Constable
Nkululeko Mkhize ... Policeman / Doctor / Male Doctor
Bonga Zulu ... Panel Beater (as Siyabonga Zulu)
Phumlani Mayisa ... Panel Beater
Nhlanhla Ngcobo ... Panel Beater
Qiniso Ndaba ... Panel Beater
Vukani Zungu ... Policeman
Lindani Zuma ... Financial Advisor
Zama Hamuza ... Waitress
Dudu Khoza ... Radio Host
Luthando Ngcizela ... Himself (as The Jaziel Brothers)
Ntobeko Ngcizela ... Himself (as The Jaziel Brothers)
Khumbulani Ngidi ... Zakhele's Guy
Siyabonga Gumede ... Zakhele's Guy
Sizwe Mthethwa ... Zakhele's Guy
Bongani Ndlovu ... Zakhele's Guy
Simphiwe Majozi ... Sbu
Thandekile Mqadi ... Doctor / Female Doctor
Smangele Sishi ... Nurse
Sibongiseni Ndlovu ... Choir Conductor
Lungile Mkhize ... Choir
Nkosinathi Mnqayi ... Choir
Samukelisiwe Madlala ... Choir
Qiniso Zuma ... Choir
Vuyokazi Tshona ... Choir
Zanele Mazibuko ... Choir
Sithembiso Zulu ... Choir
Sandile Masondo ... Choir
Mlungisi Shabalala ... Choir
Mzwandile Hlongwane ... Choir
Lungisani Dlomo ... Choir
Sihle Malisha ... Choir
Zethembiso Mdletshe ... Choir
Thabile Ndlovu ... Choir
Andile Ngcobo ... Choir
Ntokozo Mzulwini ... Choir
Nqobile Ndlovu ... Choir
Hloniphile Hadebe ... Choir
Ayanda Luthuli ... Bandile
Rory Booth ... Doctor
Ntombifuthi Dlamini ... Elder 1 / Mrs Madlala
Ndumiso Zulu ... Elder 2
Sibusiso Shozi ... Policeman 1
Nhlanhla Zama ... Hector
Busisiwe Simamane ... Girl 1 / Young Girl
Buhle Mbanjwa ... Girl 2
Mpumi Magwaza ... Girl 3
Sheila Mkhize ... Magistrate
Thokozani Zulu Tizozo ... VIP Guest
Nhlakanipho Mhlongo ... Gundi
Fikile Fikzo Majola ... Mamkhulu
Kulu Faca ... Sabelo
Slindile Mbele ... Sabelo's Wife
Smanga Mbuyazi ... Sabelo's Son
Qhawe Dubazana ... Sabelo's Son / Sibongiseni
Raymond Mkhize ... Ngidi / Client
Sandile Mthembu ... Corrupt Officer
Ntombizethu Mseleku ... Counsellor
Sthembile Nyanda ... Thandeka
Sonto Maphumulo ... DK
Joe Kazadi ... Phillipe
Thamsanqa Ndlovu ... Uncle Ngcobo
Ndumiso Radebe ... Girl
Sthabiso Kunene ... Young Man
Nokubonga Ngobeni ... Designer
Lungile Mtshali ... Mbalenhle
Mondli Makhoba ... Pastor Nkosi
Sindisiwe Latha ... Nurse
Marshal Ndlela ... Bab'Khulu Sizwe
Zona Maphumulo ... Macele
Ndumiso Zulu ... Mr Sobiso
Nomfundo Dlamini ... Mrs Madlala
Njabulo Shabalala ... Sbu's Look Alike
Slienky Ntombela ... Petunia
Nokuthula Mvubu ... Healer
Mlungisi Ndebele ... Nongoloza
Nompumelelo Ndlovu ... Jabulile
Cyprian Mthembu ... Cyprian
Nelisa Mchunu ... Filkile
Bongekile Simelane ... Hustler Girl (as Bongekile Simelani)
Jabu Dlamini ... Young Woman
Thulani Mkhize ... Old Man
Brilliant Mthethwa ... Thug
Sibusiso Shangase ... Shakes
Andile Ntshangase ... Prison Warder
Thulasizwe Mcanyana ... Customer
Thandeka Sibiya ... Pastor's Girl
Nomalanga Shabane ... Pastor's Girl
Sanelisiwe Mbambo ... Pastor's Girl
Thando Ncube ... ShisaNyama Waitress
Ziningi Zulu ... Bleeding Woman
Fikile Mlomo ... Guest Artist - Herself
Slindile Zulu ... Usher (also credited as Slindile Zungu)
Msawenkosi Mlungwa ... Usher (also credited as Musa Mtungwa)
Mpumelelo Magwaza ... Usher
Muza Mdluli ... Usher (also credited as Musa Mdluli)
Sphamandla Vezi ... Goon 1
Bongani Khambule ... Goon 2
Philani Shange ... Gunman
DJ Nzwiri ... DJ (Nzwiri Buthelezi)
Ntuthuko Khumalo ... Beach Party Waiter
Nhlakanipho Manqele ... Psychiatric Doctor
Sihle Zwana ... Psychiatric Male Nurse
Nathi Makhoba ... Psychiatric Male Nurse
Thandeka Mkhize ... Esther Lubisi
Ayanda Mtshali ... Zinhle
Samke Gcabashe ... Cindy
Chiara Sewungal ... Narina Govender
Vicky Masuku ... Magistrate
Bongani Mbatha ... Prosecutor
Esihle Mathondi ... Court Orderly
Mlungisi Khumalo ... News Reporter
Vincent Ngobese ... Cameraman
Ariffa Govender ... Govender Family
Paula Stoffels ... Govender Family
Shereen Hansrajh ... Govender Family
Arav Hansrajh ... Govender Family
Nokuthula Nzimande ... Stenographer 1
Sindi Hlongwane ... Stenographer 2
Ernest Msibi ... Amos
Eeshan September ... Pravesh
Thabo Mnguni ... Mr Mbatha
Sanele Buthelezi ... Warder
Mlungisi Mjoli ... Bully Prisoner
Karabo Ndamane ... Waitress
Thokozani Ndlovu ... Uncle Mandla
Fanele Ntuli ... Mandisa (as Fanelesbonge Ntuli)
Ntuthuko Ndwandwe ... Drunk Man
Bukhosibesizwe Zulu ... Fat Cat
Sphesihle Cele ... JoJo (also credited as Siphesihle Cele)
Lwandle Ngwenya ... Gynaecologist
Pinky Ntshangase ... Reporter
Thandeka Shinga ... Pretty Woman
Makhosi Shezi ... Usher
Vusi Mdluli ... Usher
Khosi Skhosana ... Hot Girl
Portia Ncwane ... Nomali / TV Journalist
Andile Dikeni ... Guy @ Shisanyama
Phumempini Hlophe ... Pastor Nkosi's Uncle
Xolani Ncobeni ... Police Officer
Xolani Nhlangulela ... Police Officer
Bongani Manana ... Police Officer
Lucky Hadebe ... Prosecutor Zondi
Sandile Zungu ... Usher
Musa Mtungwa ... Usher
Musa Mdluli ... Usher
Nosipho Mbhele ... Fan Girl
Sihle Zikalala ... KZN MEC
Bongumusa Dlamini ... Pastor Dlamini
Warrick Frank ... Doctor
Sandile Ngcobo ... Old Mutual Rep
Thembeka Mnguni ... Mimi (Nurse)
Cebo Mthembu ... Police Officer
Nkosi Nkwanyana ... Private Police Officer
Mbongiseni Hlophe ... Private Police Officer
Akhona Ndamase ... Private Police Officer
Khehla Mhlongo ... Private Police Officer
Thuba Shandu ... Private Police Officer
Aphiwe Makhanya ... Sma's Baby
Lihle Shoba ... Buhle
Luzuko Yafele ... Male Nurse
Sabelo Msomi ... Radio Announcer
Sandile Ngcobo ... Old Mutual Rep
Hlengiwe Mbongwa ... Old Mutual Consultant
Mandisa Ngcobo ... Old Mutual Consultant