Season 1
Ekhaya Backpackers is a South African television comedy series revolving around the Mthembus, an eccentric Soweto-based family who, saddled with their late mother's debts, open their family home as a backpackers.
This dysfunctional and seemingly unqualified family turns their home into a backpackers to pay off their late mother's debt to keep the family house or lose it to a loan shark.
Made up of two very different brothers, a crazy baby mama, an inappropriate grandmother and an uncle who loves the bottle, there is never a dull moment in the Mthembu household.
Kwenzo Ngcobo stars as Jabu, the younger brother.
After living in America for two years, the book-smart dreamer returns to South Africa with little to no money and a questionable American accent.
Thobani Mbhele co-stars as Papi, the elder brother - a street-smart hustler of note, who knows his way around the hood.
Although the two brothers clash at every moment, their determination to preserve their late mother's legacy helps iron out their differences.
Eve Rasimeni is Madibuseng, Papi's vivacious and outgoing partner, who is loyal to a fault.
Monnye Kunupi plays Jabu and Papi's grandmother, Gogo. She has zero social filter and lacks boundaries but amidst all the chaos she wants to make the family bond stronger.
In addition, Felix Hlophe stars as Malume Mayor, who is too laidback for his own good - but the need to launch Ekhaya Backpackers forces him to pull his bootstraps tighter.
Finally, Abdul Khoza plays the role of Clarens aka Undertaker – the main reason why the Mthembu family is desperately scrambling to get their backpackers up and running.
In the series premiere, "Dear Momma": Jabu does not make it on time for his mom's funeral and Papi is not impressed.
The family learns that Buyisile had many secrets, one being a debt owed to a loan shark.
Ekhaya Backpackers is a Showmax Original, executively produced by Nthabi Thomas and Thato Moyo.
The directors are Manqoba Mathunjwa and Lufuno Nekhabambe.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Kwenzo Ngcobo ... Jabu
Thobani Mbhele ... Papi
Eve Rasimeni ... Madibuseng
Abdul Khoza ... Undertaker
Felix Hlophe ... Uncle Mayor
Recurring / Guests
Monnye Kunupi ... Gogo
Florence Mokgatsi ... Lerato
Siyasanga Papu ... Sis Dolly
Trevor Gumbi ... Advocate
Zakhele Msibi ... Wiseman (as Zakhlele Msibi)
Joe Kazadi ... Prince
Craig McKinnon ... Jacques
Bianca Coasta ... Sharon
Nolusindo Mde ... Ashley
Basil Sono ... Edris
Nhlanhla Mtshali ... Inspector (as Nhlanhla Matshali)
Frieda Makhoba ... Leother
Kingsley Dawids ... Brother V
Hannes Grove ... Jan
Clive Boshoff ... Piet
Ishaan Mohamed ... Amir
Freddie Ngubane ... Norman
Mduduzi Nyanga ... Psychologist