Season 1
Diamond City is a South African television drama series which revolves around a prosecutor who is framed for murder and sent to the very prison she herself has sent so many women, where she must prove her innocence with no resources, no help and no hope.
Zandile (Noxee Maqashalala) is South Africa's most prolific female public prosecutor. She is a star, an inspiration and a proud, no-nonsense law enforcer who is rising up the ranks of the legal profession at light speed.
There's no knowing how high she'll go - until the day she is arrested for murder.
The hero has fallen and the public is in shock. Zandile goes from an officer of the law to a criminal, from hero to outcast, from the top of the world to the depths of despair.
Now Zandile finds herself arriving at the gates of the very prison where she has been sending the guilty to. And one question keeps going through her mind, over and over again: How did this happen? She is innocent... yet here she is.
But soul searching is a luxury Zandi cannot afford now. She is immediately thrown into the harsh and brutal world of Diamond City.
The reality of the situation is worse than she could have ever imagined. Not only are the conditions appalling, the guards abusive and the hopelessness crushing, but she is also about to face a number of women whom she last saw when she was the one who sent them to jail.
The series stars Noxee Maqashalala as Zandile, Thabang Molaba as Mak, Nambitha Ben-Mazwi as Benathi, Angela Sithole as Pearl and Lehlohonolo Makoko as Skhosana.
Supporting players include Graeme Kriega as Sithembiso, Bahle Radebe as Junior, Busisiwe Xaba as Dimi, Helen Lebepe as Tsake, Ilse Klink as Abida and Makgano Mamabolo as Rosina.
Diamond City is produced by Siphiwe Hlabangane for Quizzical Pictures, with executive producers Harriet Gavshon, JP Potgieter and Noxee Maqashalala. The first episode was directed by Rea Rangaka.
The story team includes Abena Ayivor, Chisanga Kabinga, Dimakatso Raphoto, Fezeka Msikinya, Linda Bere, Lindiwe Dlamini, Manosi Kungoane, Nimrod Geva, Nonzi Bogatsu, Siphiwe Hlabangane and Tim Greene.
The score is by Glenn "Sothomafia" Sebeelo.
Broadcast Notes
There are 13 episodes in Season 1, but due to a "mislabelling error", SABC1 skipped Episode 12 and didn't rebroadcast it.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Noxee Maqashalala ... Zandile
Angela Sithole ... Pearl
Nambitha Ben-Mazwi ... Benathi
Thabang Molaba ... Mak
Lehlohonolo Makoko ... Skhosana
Recurring / Guests
Ilse Klink ... Abida
Makgano Mamabolo ... Rosina
Tshepo Maseko ... Kgosi
Graeme Kriega ... Sithembiso
Lebohang Motaung ... Mudau
Nompilo Gwala ... Miss Pru
Tinah Mnumzana ... Pearl's Mother
Wandile Molebatsi ... Tebogo
Sipho Ngema ... Fat Cat 1
Vuyisile Pandle ... Fat Cat 2
Afzal Khan ... Fat Cat 3
Leti Ndubane ... Joyce (as Nyeleti Ndubane)
Siphiwe Hlabangane ... Marcus
Bahle Radebe ... Junior
Busisiwe Xaba ... Dimi
Helen Lebepe ... Tsale
Jabulile Mahlambi ... Mponeng
Nonceba Dintoe ... Magistrate Matula
Zenokuhle Maseko ... Aya
Emily Mokhupi ... Nonzi
Thomas Manamela ... Brian
Katlego Kotsane ... Lulu
Gomotsegang Mogashoa ... Mapitso
Vusizwe Langa ... News Reporter
Senzo Khoza ... Security Guard
Brian Ndebele ... Prison Warder
Francina Masalesa ... Prison Warder
Patrick Mhlongo ... Prison Warder
Quintan Voigt ... Prison Warder (as Quintan Viogt)
Manosi Kungoane ... Prison Warder
Audrey Legodi ... Prison Warder
Douglas Yumba ... Thug #1
Fabrice Lomba ... Thug #2
Andre Odendaal ... Magistrate Vogel
Fiona Ramsay ... Moeder
Mandisa Nduna ... Stove
Arthur Zitha ... Quincy
Felicia Mahambehlala ... Miriam
Seputla Sebogodi ... Nchabeleng
Getmore Sithole ... Magistrate Seete
Mpho Masiu ... Social Worker
Silindile Ntethe ... Ivy
Zondwa Njokweni ... Cappuccino
Shalima Mkongi ... Soso
Janel Jordaan ... Savannah
Mamohato Askew ... Lindi
Sonia Esgueira ... Fabrizzia
Cynthia Ximba ... Nurse
Ditiro Mohlamme ... Cleaning Lady (as Ditiro Mohlemme)
Zacharia Mogashoa ... Doctor
Tumi Morake ... Lulama