Season 1
Sibongile & The Dlaminis is a South African telenovela based on the Zambian show Zuba and the Solalas which follows the extraordinary journey of Sibongile Mbambo (Luyanda Zwane), an innocent young rural woman forced to leave her family and dreams behind to become a domestic worker in the lavish mansion of the affluent Dlamini family.
Little does she know that destiny has an unexpected Cinderella story in store for her – in the form of a forbidden romance with the Dlamini's son Kwenzo (Vuyo Biyela).
Their burgeoning relationship transforms Sibongile's life and impacts those around her, including her employers and their enormous business empire.
Set in the small town of Ixopo in KwaZulu-Natal, Sibongile & The Dlaminis explores timeless themes of love, sacrifice, ambition and familial bonds.
The telenovela weaves a tale of triumph against all odds.
Sibongile's dream of pursuing higher education is shattered when her family's financial hardships force her to take a different path.
Amidst her stepmother Deliwe's (Slindile Nodangala) gambling woes and the chaos that ensues, Sibongile's life takes an unexpected turn.
The cast includes Siyabonga Shibe, Ayanda Borotho and Zodumo Shange, among others.
Produced by Rhythm World Productions, Sibongile & The Dlaminis is Mzansi Wethu's first original telenovela.
The executive producer is Duma Ndlovu and the series producer is Sinini Nyathi-Mati.
The head writer is Eddie Thaba, with a writing team including Daniel Webster, Donald Ndlovu, Bakang Sebatjane, Donna Sibande, Tshepo Ratona, Zintle Bobi, Minenhle Luthuli, Ashlynn Jones, Sibusiso Malaza, Lunga Radebe and Tsepo Wa Mamatu.
The director is Vivek Mehta.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Siyabonga Shibe ... Njengaye
Ayanda Ngubane ... Phetheni (as Ayanda MaNgubane Borotho)
Slindile Nodangala ... Deliwe
Vuyo Biyela ... Kwenzo
Luyanda Zwane ... Sibongile
Recurring / Guests
Xoli Zondi ... Nomfundo (as Xoli Zamisa)
Mduduzi Nombela ... Khuzwayo
Mangaliso Mbhono ... Baby Manqoba
Nduduzo Zuma ... Vusi
Sindisiwe Zondo ... Gcina
Gugu Mzobe ... Thulisile
Zodumo Shange ... Nelisiwe
Tsepo Doncabe ... Sangweni
Nombulelo Mpungose ... Wenzeni
Zamuntu Khoza ... Velephi
Yolanda Myeza ... Nomalanga
Sibongile Mthethwa ... Sis Mavis
Bhekani Shabalala ... Vuma
Sduduzo Maphumulo ... Zakes
Laziwe Mdladla ... Sipho
Yolanda Buthelezi ... Zinhle
Nomandla Mhlongo ... Nomvula
Sthabile Maphumulo ... Girl 1
Vuyisile Mchunu ... Girl 2
Monde Dlamini ... Boy 1
Nosipho Mkhize ... Loitering Girl
Slondokuhle Cebekhulu ... Casino Cashier
Pamla Khazi ... Casino Dealer
Mzwandile Xaba ... Winning Couple
Zinhle Zungu ... Winning Couple
Zamokuhle Ncanana ... Casino Security
Phiwayinkosi Zondi ... Boy
Ningi Zungu ... Public Doctor
Laziwe Mdladla ... Sipho
Akhona Mjoli ... Slay Queen 1
Phumla Mthombeni ... Slay Queen 2
Nhlonipho Mthembu ... Taxi Driver
Mthokozisi Sibiya ... Phara
Mawuena Geyevu ... Asanda
Sphamandla Mdunge ... Mkhize
Thulebona Lembethe ... Delivery Guy
Thabani Mahlobo ... Bab' Ntombela
Melusi Yeni ... Sokhabase
Rejoice Mtshali ... Female Neighbour
Senzeni Cibane ... Mam'Linda
Khulekani Maphumulo ... Bab'Khanyile
Lindi Zungu ... Doctor
Sebastian Watson ... Craig (as Sabastian Watson)
Vusi Mdluli ... Security Sfiso
Mandla Zikhali ... Sibanyoni
Rashid Mlongo ... Man 1
Sakhiwo Ntombela ... Man 2
Sipho Ndlovu ... Phaphama
Sphesihle Cele ... Mashonisa / Mashona
Sthembiso Mzobe ... New Security
Nkanyiso Kunene ... Don
Lindokuhle Nxumalo ... Waiter
Thuli Sokhela ... Rural Woman
Sebastian Watson ... Craig
Nosipho Khoza ... Minenhle
Thulisile Sokhela ... Rural Woman
Sabelo Lukhele ... Principal
Mhlengi Sithembele ... Journalist
Kholeka Mthembu ... Minenhle
Thabo Nyawuza ... Young Man (as Thabo "Spoti" Nyawuza)
Kyran Taylor ... Steven
Nokuphiwa Malinga ... Doctor
Ntethelo Mkhize ... Street Vendor
Vukani Gumede ... Zakes' Friend
Siphosethu Mabaso ... Uncle 1
Nathi Ngwane ... Zakes Uncle
Awonke ... Chef
Christy Denn ... Automated V.O (voice)
Sihle Nzima ... Government
Ayanda Langa ... Street Extra 1
Amahle Ndlandla ... Street Extra 2
Muzi Zuma ... Pablo
Siphokazi Maphumulo ... Mam'Ntuli
Sandile Dlamini ... Qaphelani
Lasandra Majola ... Asanda
Tsepo Ya Rona ... Coach Emmanuel
Bongiwe Goge ... New Helper
Dion Mhlongo ... Sisonke
Thami Mdletshe ... Cop 1
Zizile Ngcobo ... Cop 2
Fanele Zulu Black ... Siya
Sthembiso Mchunu ... Boy 1
Simangele Mhlongo ... Babekazi
Slindokuhle Mbotho ... Nomalanga's Friend / Bridesmaid 1
Asipho Gwala ... Nomalanga's Friend / Bridesmaid 2
Charmaine Mandlazi ... Innocentia
Lihle Shoba ... Prudence
Nkululeko Ngobese ... Hotel Manager
Kwanele Mbatha ... Hotel Cleaner
Balungile Zaca ... Social Worker
Lettie Matoni ... MaMtshali
Enhle Ndlovu ... Secretary
Brenda Mhlongo ... MaNdulo
Nkosinathi Dlamini ... Man 1
Skhumbuzo Magoso ... Man 2
Thulasizwe Mcanyana ... Madondo
Blessing Mhlongo ... Journalist
Silo Dimba ... Radio DJ
Percy Nyokana ... Kwenzo's Lawyer
Noxolo Jozela ... Nontando
Prince Mpande ... Pastor