Season 1
iThonga is a South African telenovela about twin brothers who are inextricably linked, despite one being on the side of the law and the other on the opposite side of the fence.
It is said that twins share a soul and that their fates are forever linked, no matter how different their lives turn out, and this series speaks to love, brotherhood and the unbreakable bond of twins.
iThonga dives deep into this notion with Banele and Sanele (both played by Bonko Khoza), twin brothers walking two completely different paths – one in the light, the other in the shadows - but their fates are forever linked.
Set against the backdrop of KwaZulu-Natal, the drama unfolds in a world of construction mafias, betrayal and a destiny too powerful to escape.
As Banele and Sanele's separate lives become one, the big question is: if twins share a soul, where does one end and the other begin?
The cast also includes Ayanda Borotho, Noluthando Ngema, Siphosethu Mabaso and Nelisiwe Sibiya.
In the series premiere: We're introduced to the world of eZulwini, where the Magwaza family seems to emerge triumphant from an early tragedy.
Little do they know that their troubles are only just beginning...
iThonga was created by Gwydion Beynon and Phathutshedzo Makwarela, who are also the executive producers with Khanyi Nxumalo, who is also the series producer for Tshedza Pictures.
The head writers are Gwydion Beynon, Phathutshedzo Makwarela and Nandisa Mkhize.
The series director is Nozipho Nkelemba, with a directing team including Zolani Phakade and Tebogo Mkhabela.
The composer is Brendan Jury and the title sequence song, "Igazi", is produced by The Audio Guys and Hobacity Productions, and performed by Musiholiq and Ngwatainment.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Bonko Khoza ... Banele & Sanele Magwaza
Ayanda Ngubane ... Thandeka "MaKhumalo" Magwaza
Siphosethu Mabaso ... Nqobizitha "Pablo" Ntanzi
Nelisiwe Sibiya ... Zama Ntanzi
Bonga Dlamini ... Themba Dladla
Noluthando Ngema ... Mbali Dladla
Nkanyiso Mchunu ... Phinda "Spider" Ndlovu
Menzi Biyela ... Mbongeni Magwaza
Recurring / Guests
Zodwa Nkosi ... Mam'Faith
Nqobile Mdladla ... Zama Ntanzi / Ayanda Dladla
Precious Ndlovu ... Nonkululeko "MaMbhele" Dladla
Malibongwe Yawu ... Mduduzi Ntanzi
Simphiwe Ndlela ... Nokwanda Magwaza
Anele Nele ... Nkosinathi
Wanda Mdladla ... Lungelo Dladla
Simthembile Biko ... Young Banele
Sinethemba Biko ... Young Sanele
Mveloenhle Tonjeni ... Baby Ayanda
Tshidiso Kotelo ... Rich Guy
Nhlanhla Moloi ... Pablo's Bodyguard 1
Colani Khoza ... Pablo's Bodyguard 2
Menzi Mahlanu ... Armed Man
Sibonelo Mdlalose ... Magubane
Bheki Nkala ... Induna
Sibusiso Langa ... Sipho
Mduduzi Nyanga ... Body Double
Samuel Hlatshwayo ... Lungelo's Friend Siya
Nomfundo Baloyi ... Beauty
Noluntu Dlongolo ... Beauty's Friend
Kiba Mavi ... Female Learner
Mlungisi Sangweni ... Teacher Cele
Nhlanhla Ngwane ... Paramedic
Simphiwe Nkabinde ... Dr Hlongwane / ER Doctor
Kethukuthula Lele ... Nurse 1
Bonga Shabangu ... Sibiya
Sibongile Phakathi ... Dr Ndlovu
Thandeka Nkosi ... Nurse 2
Edwin Tsele ... Detective Dlamini
Bongani Makhathini ... Ntshangase
Sipho Hlongwane ... Gumede
Zithembe Nkwanyana ... Magwaza Uncle
Michael Zulu ... Business Forum Member 1 (as Micheal Zulu)
Trevor Sithole ... Business Forum Member 2
Ntokozo TK Dlamini ... Gadla
Nomvula Kubeka ... MaMnguni
Andrian Mazive ... Secretary General (as Adrian Mazive and Adrian Mzive)
Nokukhanya Nkosi ... Thandiwe
Freddy Ngubane ... Gadla's Goon Skhokho (as Freddy Nguabne and Freddie Ngubane)
Brenda Duma ... Hlengiwe
Cynthia Ngema ... MamKhize
Lwazi Majola ... Lungelo's Friend 2
Unathi Mkhize ... Lethokuhle Dladla
Omega Mncube ... Sipho Junior
Vuyani Mgungunyeka ... Municipal Officer
Nkosinathi Kheswa ... Senior Municipal Officer / Shabalala
Asanda Ndlovu ... Sexy Girl
Mzwandile Ndaba ... Supervisor
Kholwani Mkhwanazi ... Police Officer
Nhlanhla Moloi ... Pablo's Bodyguard 1
Colani Khoza ... Pablo's Bodyguard 2
Nolwazi Mfeka ... Amahle
Ntando Tembe ... Senzo
Thingo Mcanyana ... Gugu
Bongani Dlamini ... Council Man 1
Sipho Mathenjwa ... Council Man 2
Nhlanhla Mtshali ... Council Man 3
Fezile Dladla ... Senzo
Sithembiso Buthelezi ... Mahlophe Uncle
Njabulo Ntamane ... Worker 1 / Bongani
Zama Ngcobo ... Thulisile
Nokukhanya Khumalo ... Newsreader (as Nokukhanya "Apple" Khumalo)
Nkosentsha Zulu ... Government Official
Reason Mbhele ... Delivery Guy
Ayanda Zwane ... Customer
Cynthia Khumalo ... Village Woman
Njabulo Nkomo ... Village Man
Nhlanhla Simelane ... Man 2 / Dladla Uncle
Ntokozo Ndlovu ... Man 3
Mbalenhle Ndlela ... Woman 3
Charles Phasha ... Richard
Khanyisani Jeza ... Community Member 1
Sam Maluleka ... Sizwe
Fortune Ndaba ... Villager 1
Noel Ndlovu ... Customer (as Neol Ndlovu) / Worker 1
Sfiso Mkolo ... Gadla's Bodyguard 1
Luxolo Mbadu ... Gadla's Bodyguard 2
Sphamandla Dhludhlu ... Mandla
Godfrey Malindisa ... Sgaqa
Buhle Gweba ... Doctor Zulu
Mncedisi Langa ... Ntshangase
Sithabile Mngadi ... Iminathi
Mbuso Simelane ... Nhlengethwa
Ndumiso Zikhali ... Offender
Mike Masoka ... Detective Dlamini
Sizwe Jack ... Andile
Siyanda Ntshingila ... Robber 1
Thembelani Nxumalo ... Robber 2
Okuhle Makheloane ... Busi
Faith Ngubo ... Iqhikiza
Siyabonga Thethwayo ... Messenger
Mchululi Zwane ... Slash
Bongani Manana ... Zungu Uncle
Trendy Sishi ... Seamstress
Sipho Mnisi ... Captain Gcabashe (as Sipho Victor Mnisi)
Mchululi Zwane ... Slash / Sledge
Anazi Ngcobo ... Ezulwini TV Reporter
Immanuel Magida ... Gumede (as Immanuel "Gatsheni" Magida)
Motshabi Maleho ... Waitress
Qhawe Sishi ... Young Boy
Liso Mapumulo ... Paramedic
Mike Masoka ... Detective Dlamini
Njabulo Mngoma ... Police Officer
Nkululeko Mkubukeni ... Pastor
Themba Mputla ... Iminathi's Uncle
Lindiwe Mabizela ... Iminathi's Aunt
Siyabonga Thethwayo ... Messenger
Malungelo Kumango ... Council Man
Nhlanhla Mdlalose ... Sithole
Ngcebo Mkhwanazi ... Simphiwe
Thabisile Zikhali ... Phethile (as Thabisile Zikhazi)
Scishamlilo Buthelezi ... Office Assistant
Nondumiso Ngobese ... Elderly Lady
Tnadane Mulaudzi ... Magwaza Uncle
Zah Makhanya ... Zodwa
Siyabonga Mbatha ... Young Boy 1
Lindokuhle Khoza ... Young Boy 2
Ntokozo Banda ... Bomb Seller
Sdu Majola ... Velaphi
Lwazi Mbele ... Paramedic
Sizwe Khumbuza ... Detective Sibiya
Lindokuhle Mkhize ... Business Forum Member
Thandeka Nodada ... Sibongile
Phumlani Mtsila ... Worker 2
Lusanda Buthelezi ... Young Woman
Phila Malimela ... Guard
Scishamlilo ... Radio Reporter
Sinenkosi Simelani ... Boy
Mthokozisi Gabela ... Buyer
Nozipho Khumalo ... Woman