Season 1
Ambitions is a South African television drama series which follows a young journalist who uncovers a corruption scandal in a displaced community and sets out to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Qhawe Ledwaba (Zikhona Bali) discovers that the displaced community of Supingstad are living in squalor on the back of broken promises by their government.
She finds that the community has yet to receive the housing and facilities promised to them as compensation for their removal from their informal settlement to make way for the building of a new clinic.
In the world of big business and 'tenderpreneurship', Qhawe knows there is more than meets the eye and sets out to uncover the story that will cement her career as an investigative journalist.
When the community is mobilised by its leaders, Gauteng's goliaths aim to crush them with threats, manipulation and murderous actions. However Qhawe and the community are not such willing pushovers.
Can they unite and defy, or will they quake under the fear and weight of these inglorious heavyweights?
The series stars Zikhona Bali as Qhawe, Ashley Hayden as Jo Davey, Yonda Thomas as Dumo Cibane, Luzuko Nteleko as Wandile Cibane, Thulane Kubheka as Sbu Twala, Peter Sephuma as Athos Butshingi, Sipho Manzini as Robert Makhathini, Mary Twala as Gogo Lizzie, Solomon Sebothoma as Mandla, Kagiso Modupe as Thato, Bongani Masondo as Vusi Mthethwa, Gustav Gerdener as Thunder and Dee Rasedile as Yolanda.
Supporting cast includes Thandy Matlaila, Nokuthula Ledwaba, Ayanda Borotho, Jòvan Muthray, Ayanda Makayi, Sibusiso Gaca, Thulani Msiza, Joseph Sedibo, Sphelele Mzimela, Christmas Mokone and Humbulani Masupa.
Ambitions is produced by Paw Paw Films, a division of Penguin Films. Roberta Durrant is the creative producer and directors include Catherine Stewart, Liezl Spies and Bantuza Mchunu. Music is by Alan Lazar from STX/Lalela Music.
The script is by Thomas Hall, who headed a script development team including Trish Malone (the head storyliner), Rosalind Butler (storyliner), Gillian Breslin (storyliner), Julia Smuts Louw, Bongi Ndaba, Catherine Stewart, Neo Sibiya and Roberta Durrant.
Broadcast Notes
Although there are 26 episodes in the series, only the first 18 aired in the rin of the show on Vuzu.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Zikhona Bali ... Qhawe Ledwaba
Ashley Hayden ... Jo Davey
Yonda Thomas ... Dumo Cibane
Luzuko Nteleko ... Wandile Cibane (as Luzuko Ntleko)
Thulane Kubheka ... Sbu Twala (as Thulani Khubeka)
Peter Sephuma ... Athos Butshingi (as Peter Se-Puma)
Sipho Manzini ... Robert Makhathini
Mary Twala ... Gogo Lizzie
Solomon Sebothoma ... Mandla
Kagiso Modupe ... Thato
Bongani Masondo ... Vusi Mthethwa
Gustav Gerdener ... Thunder
Dee Rasedile ... Yolanda
Recurring / Guests
Thandy Matlaila ... Sibs
Nokuthula Ledwaba ... Thembi
Ayanda Ngubane ... Khetiwe (as Ayanda Borotho)
Jòvan Muthray ... Pawn Shop Owner (as Jovan Muthray)
Ayanda Makayi ... Prison Warden / Young Athos
Sibusiso Gaca ... Zuko
Thulani Msiza ... Ben
Joseph Sedibo ... Jeremiah
Sphelele Mzimela ... Refiloe (Receptionist) (as Sphele Mzimela)
Christmas Mokone ... Charles
Humbulani Masupa ... Louis
Oyama Sinxoto ... Thobani
Menzi Biyela ... Sipho
Xolani Vilakazi ... Detective Mohai (as Xolani Vilikazi)
Vaughn Lucas ... Ryan
Anele Situlweni ... Marcus
Felicia Mahambehlala ... Edna
Treasure Tshabalala ... Friar Vuyo (also as Treasure Nkosi)
Phindile Zwane ... Silungile Makhathini
Lunathi Mampofu ... Lerato
Cleo Rinkwest ... Moira
Musa Msimango ... Thabang
Musa Khumalo ... Lindelani
Thabo Raletoane ... Tebz the Taxi Driver
Daniel Janks ... Boykie
Nolu Malope ... Lesedi Butshingi
Talitha Ndima ... Sanele
Arthur Zitha ... Terrence
Lerato Mahlasela ... Cindy Majola
Xolani Mbatha ... Security Guard (as Xolani Innocent Mbatha)
Patrick Masupha ... Shoemaker
Keith Gengadoo ... Ravvy Redi (as Keith Joshua Gangadoo)
Hendrik van den Berg ... Detective Klein
Sbonelo Ushe ... Mpho
Nina Hlalo ... Estate Agent
Paballo Moloi ... Young Qhawe
Helen Majola ... Cindy Aunt
Naledi Chirwa ... Amy
Huey Louw ... Ryan
Ralesela Letlotlo ... Muzi
Mandilakhe Yengo ... Contact 1
Bantuza Mchunu ... Contact 2
Xolani Innocent Mbatha ... Guard
Pearl Modiadie ... Bonnie (as Pearl Modiade)
Patrick Manake ... A-Plus
Paela Makhamila ... Event Coordinator
Hape Moloi ... Miss Face of Africa
Andile Mnguni ... Detective Cleo Nthili
Sanele Sithole ... Fundani
Khanyisile Ngwabe ... Nombuso
Thulane Shange ... Tebz
Samkelo Mzizi ... Scrapyard Worker (as Samkelo Msizi)
Zodwa Nkosi ... Ma'Mbatha
Linda Sebezo ... Khobi Maxeke
Siphiwe Nkosi ... Oswald Yeni
Nomakosi Mahlangu ... Angela Yeni
Oliver Strachan ... Tebogo
Nkosinathi Keswa ... Pastor (as Nkosinathi Emmanual Keswa)
Reggie Ndlovu ... Gubs
Ntsikilelo Hele ... Bongkosi
Joseph Mvelase ... Pastor
Tshenolo Molefe ... Construction Worker
Gift Leotlela ... Masoja
Jabulani Phambana ... Zondo
Muzi Mthembu ... Airport Official
Keneilwe Matidze ... Lukhanyo