Season 3
Season 3 of Z'bondiwe (subtitled "The Chase") returns with more thrills, secrets and complexities – with loyalty at a premium.
The final season picks up with Roxanne finding herself in a village after being kidnapped by Killer - but she is not the old Roxanne we know. Ntando and Roxanne's world is spun into chaos again as they are forced into an alliance with Killer, in order to get back what their rivals have stolen from them.
Jakes is now in prison, but he is no stranger to the four walls. He provides Dikki with some contacts to start establishing her businesses.
There are some new faces in Season 3, including Peter Sephuma, who plays the role of Melusi Shenge, a less-than-savoury property development businessman. He is the father to the beautiful and intelligent attorney Yandisa Mdoda (Paballo Moganedi), who now owns the law firm.
Shamilla Miller takes on the role of Hilda Miller, aka "The PA", an unflinching woman with exceptional hacking and physical combat skills.
Also this season is the return of the Mambas, as Axe's older brother Myekeni (Khumbulani Khuzwayo) travels to the city with intentions to reinstate the gang under a new flag and his leadership.
Z'bondiwe's first season revolved around two notorious rival gangs – The Vutha Boys and The Mambas - as they fought for control of the township. The season also featured emotional dynamics between two lovers, Ntando (Anga Makubalo) and Roxanne (Zola Nombona), as they tackled obstacles that thoroughly tested their commitment to each other. The Vutha Boys' gang leader, Killer (Mbulelo Grootboom), was dangerously obsessed with Roxanne and did whatever it took to keep her by his side, including holding her hostage and marrying her.
In Season 2, Ntando and Roxanne tried their utmost best to rekindle their relationship. They got married, but sadly a bullet from Killer meant for Roxanne took her mother's life at their wedding. Things got worse as she found out she was carrying Killer's baby.
Nomonde (Tango Ncetezo), Killer's traditional wife, took the lead in helping Killer heal from his bullet wounds and get back at Roxanne for trying to kill her husband.
Jakes (Israel Makoe) - Killer's right-hand man - became a wolf in sheep's clothing and became involved with Dikki (Eve Rasimeni) as they built their drug empire. They involved Pastor Mohau utilising the church to transfer profits made from the drugs. In the end, Killer pulled the trigger on Nomonde and kidnapped Roxanne.
Main Cast
Anga Makubalo plays Ntando Mabatha
Ntando Mabatha 25, articulate, well educated, farm boy. He is hard working and very intelligent. When we meet Ntando his life seems charmed. He intends to marry the love of his life, Roxanne and he is embarking on his career as a lawyer.
Their lives seem golden until Roxanne is kidnapped and Ntando finds himself having to fight to rescue Roxanne in the dangerous township of Soweto.
Zola Nombona plays Roxanne Nozulu
Mafungwashe 'Roxanne' Nozulu, 23, is an intelligent, beautiful woman who made a mistake as a teenager that has come back to haunt her. She has been in hiding for the last five years and has even resorted to renaming herself 'Roxanne'. She has to deal with her past in order to move on with her life with Ntando.
Mbulelo Grootboom plays Killer Nxasana
Ntlonipho 'Killer' Nxasana, 33, violent, merciless, Jekyll and Hyde character. Killer Nxasana is finally ruling Soweto and his ambitious plans will enrich him and make him an evil force to contend with, however, the one thing he wants, he cannot have – Roxanne.
When he hears that she is back in town he decides to take what is his.
Eve Rasimeni plays Dikeledi
Dikeledi 'Dikki' Bakopa, 18, is a hard, unflinching woman who has had to fight her way through life to survive it. She falls in love with Axe Ngcobo and is fiercely devoted to him.
Dikki is a lioness, a true hunter, unafraid and brutal. She shares Axe's philosophy of violence and enforces it easily when needed.
Israel Makoe plays Jakes
Jakes Masilo (30) is Killer's right hand man. He is cold, ruthless and dangerous. Killer relies on him heavily and Jakes is the ultimate professional, always following his boss' orders.
Jakes is in charge of the 'dealers', who are the guys who sell drugs via their legitimate garbage collection service. He recruits and organises them, making sure they don't get hooked on the drugs and that they bring in the entire sum of monies owed. If they dare cross him, they pay with their limbs or their lives.
He is also in charge of the group of three thugs that terrorise the shop keepers so that Killer can then extract protection money to protect the shopkeepers from these thugs.
ADDED IN SEASON 3
Peter Sephuma plays Melusi Shenge
Melusi grew up in the streets as a thug, establishing the Vutha Boys before handing the reins over to his surrogate son - Killer. When the Vutha Boys disintegrated, Melusi lost his ties to the gang world, but continues to commit crimes of a different kind through his business as a property developer.
When we meet him, he is in a tight corner - there is a crackdown on corruption in the industry and many of his comrades have seen their end. He needs money – and fast. When Killer returns to him on his knees, he sees an opportunity to re-enter the drug trade industry and rake in some cash.
Paballo Moganedi plays Yandisa Mdoda
Yandisa, a 26-year-old attorney, is the only daughter to wealthy businessman Melusi Shenge. She takes over Ntswaki's position at the new firm. She hires Ntando again as she is impressed with his knowledge of the criminal underworld.
Shamilla Miller plays Hilda Miller
Hilda joined the South African Army in the hope of studying through a government grant after completing her service. After an altercation, she is expelled from the program and stripped of all her achievements.
When Hilda returns home, embittered and hardened by the humiliation, she makes use of her military skills in the world of crime as a resourceful hitman - killing becomes her income and her outlet.
Khumbulani Khuzwayo plays Myekeni
Myekeni is an inkobi in the KZN taxi business, but he has become weary of playing the 'assassin' - he wants power and status. He is the older brother to Axe and always wanted to have what Axe and Lebo had - a life in the city and an upgrade to his fortunes.
Myekeni would fantasise about a life in the gang world - he saw himself take over the Mambas from his father, but when he died, the baton was handed to Axe instead. He heads over to the city to revamp the Mambas.
Broadcast Notes
eKasi+ was discontinued at the end of March 2017. Replacement channel eExtra began broadcasting Season 3 from Episode 4, skipping the first three episodes to bring the broadcast closer to the e.tv broadcast (one day after).
Season 3 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Anga Makubalo ... Ntando Mabatha
Zola Nombona ... Roxanne Nozulu
Mbulelo Grootboom ... Killer Nxasana
Israel Matseke Zulu ... Jakes Masilo (as Israel Makoe)
Eve Rasimeni ... Dikeledi "Dikki" Bakopa
Peter Sephuma ... Melusi Shenge (as Peter Se-Puma)
Khumbulani Khuzwayo ... Myekeni
Recurring / Guests
Siyabonga Shibe ... Bheka
Matshepo Sekgopi ... Esihle
Sibulele Gcilitshana ... Glory
Felicia Mahambehlala ... Zimkitha Bala
Treasure Tshabalala ... Mthetho Bala
Samkelisiwe Hlophe ... Dora Khumalo (as Samkelisiwe Hlope)
Mike Mvelase ... Moses Dlamini
Thulani Msiza ... Spook
Mbasa Msongelo ... Paseka
Phillimon Tjale ... Maps
Siphiwe Singeni ... Bones
Mpume Mthombeni ... Mam'Bhele
Simphiwe Ntshingila ... Tekkies
Luyanda Gosa ... Bonsile
Siyabonga Kheswa ... Thug
Sipho Manzini ... Hardware Store Owner
Shamilla Miller ... Hilda Miller
Sparky Xulu ... Pastor Luzuko
Oyama Leqela ... Poppie
Betha Ntseke ... Adadume
Patrick Bokaba ... Pastor Mohau
Joseph Sedibo ... Lucky
Precious Ndlovu ... Rural Clinic Nurse
Lebohang Mphalele ... Police Officer
Paballo Moganedi ... Yandisa Mdoda (as Pabee Moganedi)
Kgosi Mongake ... Stix
Senzo Radebe ... Xolani
Busi Mtshali ... Sanelisiwe
Saxola Ketshengane ... Max
Zondwa Nkosi ... Bonsile's Mom
Tshameleni Silinda ... Bonsile's Sister
Michael Thabiso Tlapane ... Sipho
Momelezi Ntshiba ... Wandile Banzi
Beyon Meintjies ... Baby Thulane
Kate Liquorish ... Anuschka
Nkosinathi Kheswa ... Doctor
Thato Bapela ... Msizi
Mandisa Gama ... Amu
Fumani Shilubana ... Vinnie
Luversan Gerard ... Dr Naidoo
Lindokuhle Ndimande ... Thabo
Andile Magxaki ... Makhado
Keyolen Theo Harrilall ... Dr Naidoo's Boy
Fortune Thobela ... Killer Lookalike
Mayuri Naidu ... Dr Naidoo
Jonathan Taylor ... Goldman
Yamkela Tladi ... Lillies
Sello Sebati ... Mchunu
Thabo Raletoane ... Taxi Driver
Johanna Molotsi ... Loud Woman
Joe Mafela ... Hobo
Pulane Rampoana ... Jewellery Saleswoman
Siyabonga Keswa ... Thug
Mmathapelo Moagi ... Sweetness
Thabang Raletoane ... Thug 1
Zukisa Matola ... School Principal
Nicole Bailey ... Mandy Sono
Archie Matsetela ... Ad Agency Team Leader
Lebogang Mphahlele ... Police Officer
Roxy Nel ... Ratka / Anna
Thabo Raletoane ... Taxi Driver
Fezile Mdiniso ... Mbali