Season 1
Gqeberha: The Empire is a South African telenovela set in the Friendly City and revolving around the polygamous marriage of Luzuko, a successful businessman who is husband to three very different wives.
The series is about a man who seemingly has it all: family, love, money, power, glory and respect.
Luzuko Mxenge (Mbulelo Grootboom) is a successful businessman who is husband to three strong wives: Bulelwa (Zikhona Sodlaka), Zimkhita (Zandile Msutwana) and Nozuko (Kay Bikitsha).
What more could he want? Another wife, for starters.
His decision to expand the family soon threatens to bring out the bitterness his wives have long-suppressed, but also comes with complications no one could have predicted, endangering his relationship with his heir-apparent.
Will the Mxenge empire continue to thrive, or will in-fighting make it easier for enemies to infiltrate, bringing about the family's downfall?
The series follows themes of dynasty, family, love, betrayal, polygamy and jealousy.
The series stars Zikhona Sodlaka as Bulelwa, Tembinkosi Ngcukana as Thulani, Akhenime Mfenyana as Anathi, Kay Bikitsha as Nozuko, Anele Matoti as Msimelelo, Unati Guma as Funeka, with Zandile Msutwana as Zimkhita and Mbulelo Grootboom as Luzuko Mxenge.
Gqeberha: The Empire was created and executive produced by Gwydion Beynon and Phathushedzo Makwarela and is produced by Tshedza Pictures.
The series producer is Khobi Ledwaba and the directors are Krijay Govender, Andre Odendaal and Zimkhitha Maseko.
The head writers are Gwydion Beynon and Phathushedzo Makwarela, with a team of storyliners including Sthembile Mnisi, Thulani Cekiso and Fezekile Cokile.
Original music is by Brendan Jury and the theme song is by Bonga Percy Vilakazi and Sabelo W Zwane.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Zikhona Sodlaka ... Bulelwa "Bullet" Mxenge
Tembinkosi Ngcukana ... Thulani Mxenge (as Tembinkosi Litha Ngcukana)
Akhenime Mfenyana ... Anathi Njoloza
Kay Bikitsha ... Nozuko Mxenge
Anele Matoti ... Msimelelo Makwetu
Unati Guma ... Funeka
with Zandile Msutwana ... Zimkhita Mxenge
and Mbulelo Grootboom ... Luzuko Mxenge
Recurring / Guests
Phila Madlingozi ... Nthando Mxenge
Ayanda Makayi ... Stokkie
Sibabalwe Bobo ... Fundiswa Mxenge
Zimi Banisi ... Mpilo Mxenge
Lonalinamandla Bawuti ... Nobomi Mxenge
Nompumezo Buzani ... Cebisa Njoloza
Asamkele Ngunuza ... Fezile Njoloza
Sigqibo Kutase ... Sifiso
Momeleni Melani ... Nyaniso Mxenge
Anele Penny ... Luzuko Friend 1, Nimba, Councillor Ngamlana
Sisa Abel Mhlophe ... Luzuko Friend 2
Sakhiwo Manikiza ... Lusuko Friend 3
Asemahle Xanti ... Surgeon
Ayanda Makebenge ... Designer
Nomvuyo Nela ... Village Woman 1
Nobendi Ndotshayisa ... Village Woman 2
Sanelisiwe Dyusha ... Bulelwa - Friend 1, Ncediswa
Zandile Bokwana ... Bulelwa - Friend 2
Aviwe Ntiyonke ... Older Woman
Siyasange Ntabeni ... Guy 1
Bantu Dana ... Guy 2
Zukiswa Cakucaku ... Veli, Landlady
Siziphiwe Maqubela ... Nontle Makwetu
Lilanga Sosinga ... Nomaflower
Mtwakazi Xuma ... Police Captain, Jabavu
Simphiwe Vikilahle ... John
Ntombethemba Zitshu ... Noxolo
Unathi Platyi ... Sizwe Msengane (as Unathi Faku Platyi and Unati Platjie)
Mnoza Melane ... News Reader
Asemahle Magewu ... Friend 1
Sinesipho Dabula ... Friend 2
Sisanda Deppa ... Friend 3
Luthando Kwatsha ... Stranger
Asipezi Jita ... Matilda
Jody Herringer ... Baldwin, Mxenge Driver
Cebo Gongwana ... Resident
Lulamile Ngesi ... Priest
Welcome Mooi ... Mxenge Elder 1 / Njoloza Elder 3
Buntu Mahola ... Mxenge Elder 2
Nkoliseko Masoka ... Mxenge Elder 3
Sithembiso Masoko ... Njoloza Elder 1 / Mxenge Elder 3
Mandilakhe Tshica ... Njoloza Elder 2
Vukile Mdingane ... Njoloza Elder 3
Siphokazi Dalasile ... Congregant 1
Bongiswa Maliza ... Congregant 2
Mandisi Mtsila ... Doctor Williams
Linique September ... Slay Queen 1
Xoliswa Dotwana ... Nolusapho, Nozuko's Mother
Xolani Mali ... Captain Mzamane
Nombongo Mdingi ... Nurse
Andiswa Qushu ... Stokvel Lady 1
Phumeza Jaatjies ... Stokvel Lady 2 (as Phumeza Jaantjies)
Timothy Brian Collier ... Lexingtons Associate
Mtwakazi Xuma ... Police Captain Jabavu
Bongile Luvalo ... D'Angelo Dressmaker
Graham Daly ... Jeweller
Luphelo Kodwa ... Prophet
Adriaan van As ... Lexington, Copper Buyer
Musa Tom ... Distraught Mother
Baphisile Manduluka ... Radio Host (as Baphisile Mandiluke)
Sinethemba Sonti ... Drowned Kid
Zizipho Yakho ... Nurse 1
Loyiso Bebe ... Village Headman
Somikazi Makhaluza ... Nurse 2, Rural
Monwabisi Nohashe ... Painter 1
Mandilakhe Lufundo ... Detective Mahlangu (as Mandilake Lufundo)
Nolufefe Ngaleka ... Siso, Jnr Dressmaker
Joyce Nomzamo Singitha ... MaMtshawe, Zimkitha's Mother
Nosisekho Masoka ... Njoloza Elder 2
Mpumie Kuse ... Estate Agent
Chumani Peter ... Friend 2 (Luzuko)
Sakhiwo Manikiza ... Friend 3 (Luzuko)
Monwabisi Mgibantaka ... Mxenge Elder 1
Vusi Nova ... Vusi Nova
Langelihle Nongubo ... Intle Boutique Hotel Doorman (as Lingelihle Nongubo)
Phakamisa Kolisi ... LT Gen Cethe, Police Commissioner
Zoliswa Mavela ... Khayalethu's Cousin
Sithembile Xaso ... Police Officer, Oscar
Sivenathi Mbangi ... Khayalethu
Thembalethu Kojana ... Intle Boutique Hotel Waiter
Thandolwethu Rhoyi ... Police Officer 1
Nosimo Dikana ... Chef Thomaza
Zolani Teyise ... Prison Guard 1
Neil Mark Armstrong ... Hawker Officer 1
Duryn Redelinghuys ... Hawker Officer 2
Sindisa Tshetsha ... Hawker Officer 3
Malwande Menzile ... Khura
Hlumela Qabo ... Mandisa, Luzuko's Lawyer
Ntobeko Rwanqa ... Captain Rhoyi
Tazz Nginda ... Mandla (as Tazz Ngida)
Tando Mabutho ... Mayor Gambu
Lungelwa Magqamfana ... Bulelwa's Helper, Nosipho
Luthando Manyuka ... Customer 1 / Surgeon
Marcia Tandokazi Ntoni ... Olwethu, Capt Rhoyi's Wife
Phozisa Noba ... Sister, Capt Rhoyi
Kungawo Pini ... Niece, Capt Rhoyi
Ayabonga Makhanya ... Yanga
Mthobeli Gladstone Mali ... Gubevu Makwetu
Noluthando Smayi ... Makwetu Uncle 1
Shandi Rodolo ... Customer, Tshisa Nyama
Sinethemba Dubo ... Tshisa Nyama Staff Member
Xabiso Madini ... Lungile
Xolani Mkonko ... Hitman
Sivuyile Sotha ... Zwai
Asanda Mpini ... Stokvel Lady 1
Siphelele Bobo ... Stokvel Lady 2
Yolanda Mpemvana ... Uniformed Police Officer 1
Thozamile Nyakatya ... Makwetu Uncle 1
Noluthando Simayi ... Mapinga, Funeka's Aunt
Nolisindiso Meko ... Make-Up Artist
Feziwe Kolele ... Makwetu Uncle 1
Mandilakhe Bedesho ... Pastor
Nelisa Kala ... Detective Khuselwa
Zukhanye Geza ... Dumisani
Simphiwe Vikilahle ... John, Sifiso's Father
Ntombethemba Zitshu ... Noxolo, Sifiso's Mother
Siphosethu Vayo ... Young Designer 1
Sonwabile Ntsinde ... Hospital Empoyee
Noluthando Ngqunge ... Patience
Sihle Mooi ... Sindiswa
Vuyelwa Halana ... Mam'Ribs
Cwenga Xakayi ... Cute Guy
Buhlebenkosi Rwaxa ... Samkelo, Mpilo's Ex
Karabo Mlambo ... Tshisa Nyama Staff Member 1
Llewellyn Primo ... Police Officer 1 (as Lewelyn Primo)
Vusi Makalima ... Bhiza
Likwithemba Booi ... Sivuyile (as Likwithemba "Likhey" Booi)
Siyabulela Deli ... Mxolisi (as Siyabulela "Tafire" Deli)
Olwetu Mpongoshe ... Scrapyard Worker 1
Bantu Zathu ... Langa
Sisipho Dyani ... Beautiful Young Woman
Mzwandile Chris Nzenze ... Detective Khawuta
Nelisa Nkala ... Detective Khuselwa (as Nelisa Kala)
Siyabulela Booi ... Mxolisi (as Siyabulela "TaFire" Booi)
Bonile Lurhayi ... Doctor Mangele
Buntu Zathu ... Langa
Qwambe Diniso ... Attorney
Ovayo Timna Kwanini ... Yoga Instructor
Thembekile Komani ... Chumani
Asanda Hanabe ... Lilitha (as Asanda Hanaba)
Mongezi Ncwadi ... Fakude
Aviwe Maxamba ... Interior Decorator
Yamkela Ndoyana ... Zonke, Private Investigator
Zola Dube ... Uniformed Police Officer 1
Litha Duda ... Ben-10 / Nolusapho's Boyfriend
Mandla Makweyi ... Drunk Man
Litha Khanyi ... Young Man
Khanyiso Tshali ... Uniformed Policeman 1
Sandile Soyamba ... Uniformed Police Officer 1
Mlungiseli Ngcayisa ... Police Captain
Matshidiso Mcophele ... Customer 1
Nomahlubi Mfene ... Customer 2
Vathiswa Bhunguza ... Zoleka
Simon Mbanyana ... Old Man
Samkelo Mali ... Vukani
Nobuntu Adams ... East Lond Taxi Passenger
Luthando Quwe ... Dali
Chevandre Jantjies ... Thug 1
Ayabulela Tumani ... Thug 2 / Musa
Asemahle Rhomo ... Dali Goon
Abongile Tabata ... Client
Aviwe Dyantyi ... Mxenge Harbour Worker 1 (as Aviwe Dyantjie)
Mxolisi Bosman ... Business Associate 1
Siyamthandaza Budaza ... Taxi Driver
Zolani Phakade ... Mfundo, Director
Nonhlanhla Memani ... Female Fan 1
Fiks Mahola ... Bra Zakes (as Fics Mahola)
Thabisile Ntlabati ... Pamela, Girl #1
Petronella Naicker ... Auditor 1
Sinesipho Dabula ... Nozuko's Friend 1
Aphiwe Skosana ... Crew Member
Chwayita Mayekiso ... Nosicelo, Mother of Girl #1
Nombulelo Mhlahlo ... Neighbour
Bongani Nomnganga ... Man in Suit
Lonwabo Xatasi ... Musa
Zuzeka Ntombela ... Nurse 1 - Clinic
Zukiswa Tshume ... Gynaecologist
Tankiso Holomo ... Sheriff of the Court
Nokuthembela Parkie ... Sister Agnes
Wandisile Dywili ... Detective Jwarha
Lisa Serame ... Nontu, Zimkhitha's Sister
Joyce Singata ... Mamtshawe, Zimkhitha's Mother
Xabiso Zweni ... Jeffrey
Thobani Mvundlela ... Doctor, East London
Hyron Booysen ... Gold Trader
Liberty Chiyambukira ... Uhuru
Ntombomzi "Zololo" Goba ... Gynaecologist, Private Hospital
Palesa Liwani ... Receptionist
Masi Heshu ... Mbube
Mzothando Kotyi ... Doctor
Zipho Maneli ... Hitman (as Ziphozihle Maneli)
Mzwandile Ntshona ... Doctor, East London
Sibongile Gungu ... Zizipho
Bantu Rayi ... Doctor
Dorischa Mathews ... Nurse
Elihle Cekiso ... Customer 1
Sir Godfather ... Luyolo
Siyamthanda Mzweli ... Party Girl
Durandt Verwey ... Boxer 1
Bongile Mantsai ... Hlumelo
Lutho Mahambehlala ... Automated Telemarketer
Vuyolwethu Dano ... Pathologist
Noxolo Gxekwa ... Doctor
Athenkosi Mkangelwa ... Hot Guy
Zolile Dayimani ... Pastor
Luxolo Ngqunge ... Boxing Associate
Siyamthanda Masakazi ... B&B Manager
Sibusiso Mpofu ... Estate Agent (as Sibusiso Mfofu)
Thembakazi Jacobs ... Buyer
Vuyolwethu Dana ... Pathologist
Upile Bongco ... Sindi
Mzukiseni Ngqeshu ... David
Theo Klass ... Buyer 1
Athini Madlamini ... Buyer 2