Mzansi is a South African television drama series which starts out as a mystery and becomes the saga of two powerful men - Lunga Gwedashe and Chris Ncgobo - and their families, involved in a pitched battle for power and revenge that started 20 years ago.
Twenty years ago Lunga Gwedashe was framed for a murder he did not commit. Aged 42 and scarred both physically and emotionally Lunga has lost his youth, his love and indeed his life to two decades of prison.
The real murderer, Chris Ngcobo has been out in the world, has married Lunga's girlfriend, Deliwe and has built up a considerable private fortune through various businesses he runs and keeps in his family.
When we meet Lunga he is about to escape from prison and goes looking for a former cell-mate's treasure. Not really expecting to find it, he discovers that not only is the treasure real but it is also plentiful.
Lunga now has a fortune of his own and he uses it to establish himself in business and to bring down his arch enemy - the man who ruined his life.
No-one from his previous life recognises him after all the time he has spent in jail. He is free to assume a new identity. But how innocent is Deliwe? And who really is the father of Vusi Muzi?
Lunga plots and connives to bring down Chris and his entire family. He does so by discovering and exploiting their personal weaknesses, by setting himself up as the most exciting socialite in Johannesburg and becoming a friend of the Ngcobo family.
The series stars Peter Mashigo as Lunga/Monti, Yule Masiteng as Chris Ngcobo, Bongani Zindela as Mzwake, Fezile Mpela as Vusi, Charity Sehlohole as Coco, Errol Ndotho as Vengeance, Ferry Jele as Tina, Peter Se-Puma as Koos, Lucia Mthiyane as Deliwe, Nomhle Nkonyeni as Granny, Mahlubi Kraai as Jakes, Nomathamsanqa Baleka as Emily, Fiks Mahola as Lorato, Bongani Gumede as Oupa Dube, Hamilton Dlamini as Prosper and Lerato Mvelase as Mbali.
For Season 2, Thapelo Mokoena replaced Fezile Mpela as Vusi and Khanyisile Mbau replaced Lerato Mvelase as Mbali.
Mzansi was created by Rapulana Seiphemo, Jann Turner, Neil McCarthy and Kenneth Nkosi and produced by Ochre Moving Pictures and Stepping Stone Pictures. Executive produced by Indra de Lanerolle, the series producer was Ernie Vosloo.
Neil McCarthy was a producer, with Kenneth Nkosi and Rapulana Seiphemo serving as associate producers. The head writer was Jann Turner and the series was directed by Neil McCarthy and Neo M. Matsunyane.
Music was composed by Joel Assaizky, Farryl Roth and Eric Pilani.