Season 1
The Polygamist is a South African telenovela which tracks a woman wounded by the unravelling of the life and marriage she once believed were unshakable, as her husband's indiscretions and betrayal can no longer be contained by money, power and secrecy.
Joyce Gomora (Gugu Gumede) projects couple and family goals to a throng of loyal social media followers.
She's devoted herself fully to her husband Jonasi Gomora (Sdumo Mtshali) and family, building a life that appears as pristine and carefully curated as her signature all-white wardrobe.
Jonasi is the man every room turns to watch.
A self-made corporate CEO who clawed his way from poverty to power, Jonasi radiates the kind of confidence that makes everyone around him believe he can do no wrong - and he's spent a lifetime exploiting exactly that.
Jonasi builds an empire and a complicated personal life that begins to collapse under the weight of his choices, as the wives and mistresses in his life hold a mirror to the man behind the power.
Jonasi believes he can have it all, until the web of secret relationships and hidden loyalties he has spent years spinning begins to close in around him.
As the cracks in her marriage deepen, Joyce becomes desperate to save not only her relationship, but the version of family and stability she has spent years building and defending.
In her attempts to keep Jonasi faithful, she pulls everyone around her deeper into the tension of a home struggling to hold itself together, while her children are forced to confront the emotional fallout.
As the secrets multiply, Jonasi's world begins to fracture all around him.
Joyce faces a heartbreak that rewrites her entire world, while his children Menzi (Wonder Ndlovu) and Mpume (Noluthando Shabalala) bear the weight of a legacy they never chose.
His steadfast protector and brother, Magesh (Kenneth Nkosi) faces a heavy moral dilemma that forces him to question his conscience, battling between loyalty and morality.
The collateral damage of Jonasi's destruction is not limited to the Gomora family unit as his greed further tightens around corporate climber Matipa (Kwanele Mthethwa), who seduced her way into getting the corner office; and Mpume's best friend Lindani (Luyanda Zwane), who finds herself in the middle of the Gomora family's labyrinth of secrets.
The series stars Gugu Gumede, Sdumo Mtshali, Kwanele Mthethwa, S'thandiwe Kgoroge, Kenneth Nkosi, Celeste Ntuli, Luyanda Zwane, Wonder Ndlovu, Noluthando Shabalala, Vuyo Biyela and Lwazie Keith Tsebesha.
The Polygamist is adapted from the novel of the same name by Zimbabwean writer Sue Nyathi and is produced by Stained Glass Productions.
The executive producers are Gugu Zuma-Ncube, Thuli Zuma and Pepsi Pokane; the directors are Rolie Nikiwe, Nthabi Tau and Akin Omotoso.
The head writer is Busisiwe Zwane, with a writing team including Nontuthuzelo Magoxo, Lorato Phefo, Nthabi Tau and Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube.
The original score is by Zethu Mashika.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Gugu Gumede ... Joyce Gomora
Sdumo Mtshali ... Jonasi Gomora
Kwanele Mthethwa ... Matipa Nkosi
Kenneth Nkosi ... Magesh Gomora
Recurring / Guests
Celeste Ntuli ... Essie Gomora
Luyanda Zwane ... Lindani
Sthandiwe Kgoroge ... Mama Grace
Vuyo Biyela ... Freedom
Farieda Metsileng ... Buhle
Sophie Ndaba ... Sophie Ndaba
Kabomo Vilakazi ... MC
Noluthando Shabalala ... Mpume Gomora
Wonder Ndlovu ... Menzi Gomora
Lwazie Keith Tsebesha ... Sarah Gomora
Rebone Sesing ... Trinity Cele
Siyamthanda Banda ... Bonginkosi
Thandolwethu Olly Zondi ... Xolani
Kgosi Molapo ... Nkazimulo Gomora
Karaboentle Thateng ... Zipho
Jabulani Mdingi ... Jabulani
Prosperity Shongwe ... Joyce's Stylist
Tsholofelo Tema ... Joyce's Manager
Presley Mpofu ... Joyce's Videographer
Chumande Kroza ... J&J Security
Keamogetswe Komane ... DJ Steezy
Mandla Mkhonza ... Thembankosi
Rendani Netshikandwana ... Baby Ashley and Baby Hayley (4 yrs)
Nkanyezi Sibisi ... Baby Nkazimulo (4 months)
Kgotlagamang Sekgaphane ... Baby Nkazimulo (Newborn)
Karabo Mphuthi ... Cop 1
Mpho Rasetsoke ... Cop 2
Andrian Mazive ... Bra X
Thuli Thabethe ... Thembi
Mavuso Magabane ... Minister Fezile Msomi (as Meshack Mavuso Magabane)
Zimiphi Biyela ... Mrs Msomi (as Zimdollar Biyela)
Thobeka Shangase ... Lungi
Hlelolenkosi Pelo ... Baby Nkazimulo (13 months)
Linda Lukhele ... Gomora Guard
Nhlanhla Simelane ... Policeman
Bonga Dladla ... Priest
Mbalenhle Cele ... Sis Ntombi
Noxolo Mathula ... Zodwa
Karabo Baloyi ... Kissing Girl
Collin Sepamatla ... Matipa's Lawyer
Mapaseka Mokwele ... Mapaseka Mokwele
Mlungisi Sangweni ... Dr Dlamini
Siphosethu Mushi ... Baby Nkazimulo (3 yrs)
Lungelo November ... Mapaseka's Cameraman
Khumo Tsatsimpe ... Baby Haley (Newborn)
Leano Mwenda ... Baby Ashley (Newborn)
Siphesihle Jalisa ... Baby Haley (Newborn)
Sinazo Mthembu ... Baby Ashley (Newborn)
Nomonde Mbusi ... MaNkosi
Paballo Mavundla ... Young Magesh (15)
Sana Mchunu ... Sis Julie (as Sannah Mcunu)
Ziya Xulu ... Young Essie (16)
Mihlali Billy ... Young Jonasi (13)
Ntobeko Mathebula ... Young Jonasi (16)
Sibu Shangase ... Young Essie (19)
Londeka Mkhwanazi ... Mbali (16)
Nomonde Dyamara ... Londiwe (17)
Nolunto Dlongolo ... Zandi (21)
Sandile Makhanya ... Gomora Uncle
Nomvula Kubeka ... Gogo Mazibuko
Nkanyezi Sithole ... Baby Freedom (3 yrs)
Ripfumelo Dlamini ... Baby Sara (3 yrs)
Ntando Nthuthuko ... Boy 1
Gugu Tshabalala ... Bus Driver
Khaya Dumakude Thela ... Spitjo
Lungelo Mavundla ... Sis Jane
Sphethokuhle Sithole ... Baby Nkazimulo (3 yrs)
Ayanda Piyo ... Thembi's Ben 10
Fefekazi Mlumbi ... Hotel Waitron
Amandlenkosi Magwaza ... Baby Ashley (3 months)
Gamelihle Magwaza ... Baby Hayley (3 months)
Ntsako Ndhlela ... Ballerina
Nyeleti Ndhlela ... Ballerina
Kgahliso Solomon ... Ballerina
Onkutlwile Ratlou ... Ballerina
Amandla Minenhle Dladla ... Young Joyce
Mbali Setlhare ... Mihlali
Jared Browning ... Sarah's Waiter
Nombuso Ntuli ... Woman Admirer
Chumande Kroza ... J&J Security
Zinzi Nsele ... Sis Dolly
Nico van Rensburg ... Sommelier
Gabriel Mini ... Dr Mlaba
Charmoné Blennies ... Varushka
Matshiliso Sekonyela ... Interviewer
Mondli Nkomo ... Mkhulu Manzini (as Mondli Innocent Nkomo)
Mowele Shai ... Bubbles
Kgosi Molapo ... Nkazimulo (7 yrs)
Murendeni Netshikandwana... Ashley (4 yrs)
Vuyani Mgugunyeka ... Prof Nkosi Gumede
Tino Chinyani ... Hot Guy
Reabetswe Ditshoane ... Hot Receptionist
Khanyisani Jeza ... Cameraman
Lucky David Mngomezulu ... Soweto Pastor
Tshwenyego Johannes Masoga. Funeral Policeman