Season 1
Black Gold is a South African telenovela that centres around Amandla Zungu, a principled and passionate daughter of the soil, whose life is shattered when her beloved father is murdered, and she is falsely accused of the crime by her stepmother.
The story follows her journey to reclaim her power, legacy and land.
At its heart, the series asks: what if a woman, betrayed and stripped of everything, had to become as ruthless as her enemy to reclaim her rightful place - only to discover that power, once seized, is a force as corrupting as it is intoxicating?
Can Amandla outmanoeuvre the woman who stole everything from her, or will Florence tighten her grip and crush Amandla beneath the very land she once vowed to protect?
Set in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, Black Gold follows the journey of Amandla Zungu (Nomalanga Shozi).
Amandla is cast out of her ancestral home after being falsely accused of her father's murder.
Her stepmother, Florence (Dawn Thandeka King), orchestrates the betrayal, while Sello Maake Ka-Ncube stars as Tom Motsepe, Florence's secret lover and co-conspirator.
Black Gold also champions empowering female narratives, featuring strong women who navigate and challenge the male-dominated worlds of mining and business.
From Amandla's rise as a revolutionary to Florence's ruthless grip on power, the series highlights the resilience, complexity and strength of women in the face of adversity.
The supporting cast includes Zamani Mbatha as Zakhele Motsepe, a conflicted heir torn between love and legacy.
Nomsa Buthelezi plays MaBrrr, a brothel queen with a sharp tongue and a haunted past.
Warren Masemola plays the role of Kotsi, a rebel leader whose intellect is as dangerous as his rage.
Ernest Ndlovu portrays Bhekumbuso Zungu, the visionary patriarch whose murder ignites the central conflict.
Other cast members include Ashleigh Herman as Starlight, a glamorous hostess with a mysterious past.
Zinhle Sithole portrays Abongwe Zungu, a sharp-witted teen navigating grief and rebellion.
Siphesihle Vazi appears as Ma-a Motsepe, a flashy party boy with a hidden yearning for purpose, while Thulani Mtsweni is Majika, the loyal supervisor of The Ch!las Lounge.
The cast also includes Lwazi Dlamini as Siyabonga Zungu, Mbaliyesizwe Ngiba as Faith Motsepe, Warren van Rooyen as Detective Scheepers, Skhulile Mgaga as Bancane, Francois Jacobs as Twakkie, Robert Wood as Kobie and Michelle Ayden as Susana.
Black Gold was created by Mandla N and Mpumelelo Nhlapo and is co-produced by Black Brain Pictures and Paramount.
The executive producers are Mpumelelo Nhlapo, Mandla N and Annelie van Rooyen; the series producer is Siphiwe Hlabangane.
The head writers and storyliners are Sayitsheni Mdakhi and Lunga John Radebe, with a writing team including O'Tsepo Ya Rona Mamatu, Glenrose Ndlovu-Udeh, Ismerelda Tsaletsing Makam, Rami Zakany, Nombulelo Mcwera and Molaontoa Philbeth Diaho.
The head director is Mandla N and the music is by Black Brain Pictures.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Sello Maake Ka-Ncube ... Thomas "Tom" Motsepe
Dawn Thandeka King ... Florence Zungu
Ernest Ndlovu ... Bhekumbuso Zungu
Zamani Mbatha ... Zakhele Motsepe
Mbali Ngiba ... Busi Motsepe (as Mbaliyesiwe Ngiba)
Nomsa Buthelezi ... Brenda "MaBrrr" Buthelezi
Thulani Mtsweni ... Job "Majika" Mngomezulu
Siphesihle Vazi ... Andile Motsepe
Nomalanga Shozi ... Amandla Zungu
Recurring / Guests
Robert Hobbs ... Jacques Theron
Francois Jacobs ... Twakkie Koekemoer
Michelle Ayden ... Susana Koekemoer
Ashleigh Herman ... Starlight Koekemoer
Lwazi Dlamini ... Siyabonga Zungu
Robert Wood ... Kobie Koekemoer (as Robert Woods)
Skhulile Mgaga ... Bancane Tembe
Bongiwe Somtseu ... Nandi Ngobese
Hamilton Nxumalo ... Jenelali Xaba
Luzuko Dlomo ... Young Bhekumbuso
Zinhle Sithole ... Abongwe Zungu
Sweet Guluva ... Tofolux Mthethwa (as Akhonamathemba Zwane)
Sphamandla Mthembu ... Young Motsepe (as S'phamandla Mthembu)
Murray Todd ... Matteo
Lufuno Nemadzhili ... Chillas Staff
Siyamthanda Fali ... Chillas Staff
Nandipha Siko ... Chillas Staff
Bongiwe Zungu ... Nomfundo Dhlamini
Nkanyiso Bhengu ... Prince Ndlovu
Wayne van Rooyen ... Detective Scheepers
Vumani Mntambo ... Lim'elishisayo
Princess Shabalala ... Banele Zulu
Prince Phuma Dlamini ... Zungu Uncle 1
Bheki Kunene ... Zungu Uncle 2
Lwazi Mbele ... Journalist 1
Thandeka Nhlapo ... Journalist 2
Nkosinathi Kheswa ... Bishop Sikhakhane
Thandeka Nhlapo ... Dirty Cop
Ephraim Mtshali ... Phanga
Warren Masemola ... Khotso "Kotsi" Seromo
Sphiwe Ngwenya ... Doctor
Boniswa Zungu ... Nomfundo Dlamini
Nhlanhla Mawela ... Phanda Phanda 1
Katlego Sinatle ... Phanda Phanda 2
Lalelani Masengemu ... Miner
Joseph Mutumane ... Foreman
Thandeka Magwaza ... Baddie
Brandon Mudau ... Journalist Mbatha
Phelokazi Jona ... Miner 1
Ntando Sithole ... Miner 2
Ayanda Ngcobo ... Community Member
Phumeza Ngxikimane ... Nurse
Fefekazi Mlumbi ... Receptionist
Vusi Hadebe ... Bhamuza
Mondli Nkomo ... Mapholoba
Snethemba Maphaqa ... Dr Sibanyomi
Ntencane ... MaSkandalous
Tina Jaxa ... Nomvelo
Nthando Sefularo ... Violinist
Trevor Sithole ... Mondli Khuzwayo
Amogelang Telekelo ... Mimi
Enhle Mbali ... Azania (as Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa)
Nicole Bessick ... Sasha (as Nicolle Bessica)
David Mankge ... Project Leader
Shannon Wai ... Engineer
Mlungisi Nxumalo ... Sizzle
Mzwanele Nomcweya ... Wedding Planner (as Mzwanele "Bongani Drama" Nomcweya)
Siyabonga Ngema ... Strong Miner