Season 1
Family Secrets is a South African television drama series which tells the story of Caesar Mokwena, Africa's wealthiest banker, and his ruthless rise to the top of global banking.
Caesar deals in lies, secrets and bodies, which he buries to protect his billions.
Power is a formidable and corruptive force, and it is a weapon that determines both the success and downfall of the characters that form the drama behind Family Secrets.
Caesar Mokwena, founder of South Africa's first black-owned bank, is a viper in the boardroom, but his serial womanising, dodgy business deals and his closeted addiction to alcohol make him unstable and as unpredictable as a viper ready to strike.
His wife Cleopatra may tolerate the pleasure he covets, but she is no walkover and will defend her family to her death.
Unfortunately, death is a secret that plagues the Mokwenas' past, as a suspicious accident comes back to jeopardise the opulent lives they've worked so hard to maintain.
The series stars Mangaliso Ngema, Sonia Mbele, Sophie Ndaba, Menzi Ngubane, Katlego Danke, Vusi Kunene, Michelle Botes, Robert Whitehead, Thembi Seete and Michael de Pinna.
Introducing Bafana Mthembu and Lebogang Makutu, additional cast includes Vaughn Lucas, Llewellyn Cordier, Nalini Subrayen, Strauss Mokobori, Nthabiseng Ntjeke and Mpho Maliu.
The Family Secrets universe and characters were created and developed by Bongani Sibeko, inspired by an original story by Palesa Princess Marobe.
The series is produced by SAWITA (South African Women in Television Arts), with executive producers Pulane Shomang and Bongani Sibeko; and producer Obakeng Octavius Mogotsi.
The series director is Mosese Semenya and the head writer is Bongani Sibeko.
The theme song was composed by Ngwato Mapalakanye and sung by Rochelle Esmeralda de Lange.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Mangaliso Ngema ... Caesar Mokwena
Sonia Mbele ... Cleopatra Mokwena
Sophie Ndaba ... Shaniece Moore (as Sophie Lichaba)
Menzi Ngubane ... Napoleon Biko
Katlego Danke ... Coco Rivers
Vusi Kunene ... Hannibal Razor
Michelle Botes ... Dawn Pretorius
Robert Whitehead ... Harold Stone
Thembi Seete ... Eleanore Grace
Bafana Mthembu ... Moses Mokwena
Lebogang Makutu ... Patricia Madiba
with Michael de Pinna ... Burton Taylor (as Michael Depinna)
Recurring / Guests
Angelique Gerber ... Natasha Taylor
Vaughn Lucas ... Co Jack
Llewellyn Cordier ... Barry White
Nalini Subrayen ... Meghan Patel
Strauss Mokobori ... Young Caesar (as Straus Mokobori)
Mpho Maliu ... Young Cleo
Nthabiseng Ntjeke ... Young Shaniece (as Nthabiseng Njele)
Dominique Ciamala ... Dominic Ciamala (as Dominic Ciamala)
Temika Richards ... Jessica Mokwena
Micah Bongani Sibeko ... Baby Moses
Dave Timmons ... Steven Micheals
Cindy Mnguni ... Party Extra
Lerato Mputsoe ... Party Extra
Martin Kameel ... Party Extra
Lerato Pretorius ... Party Extra
Kwanele Mpanjwa ... Party Extra
Mxolisi Pieterse ... Party Extra
Dawnelene King ... Party Extra
Zee ... Party Extra
Pulane Shomang ... Party Extra
Louise Laminie ... Party Extra
Joseph Meringarena ... Party Extra
Alfred Khumalo ... Party Extra
Fetsi Deempitso ... Party Extra
Mohammed ... Party Extra
Themba Sibeko ... Party Waiter
Caleb October ... Party Waiter
Benni Langa ... Gabriel Mokwena
Lesley Musina ... David
Busiswa Mambi ... Director General
Keabetswe Mashugane ... Captain Neo
Khanyi Mbau ... Dr. Zanele Rose
Treasure Tshabalala ... Joseph Mokwena
Neo Malao ... Dr. Steven
Vuyisile Mpela ... Oracle of C-Max
Walterique Sandows ... Susan Makoti (as Walterque Sanders)
Tumi Malefo ... Officer Maseko
Modiegi Mulaudzi ... Officer Bhengu
Donovan Margoczi ... Johan Pretorius - CIU
Kagiso Makhudu ... Sydney Makanda - CIU
Mohammed Moosa ... Dominion - Saudi Arabia
Leon Ford ... Dominion - China
Duncan Muirhead ... Dominion - British
Christian de Jager ... Dominion - USA
Sheldon White ... Hank - Banker
Anele Gwede ... Chris - Banker
Bonolo Molekoa ... Lebo - Banker
Webster Kutoane ... Banker
Nhlanhla Mtshali ... Kidnapper 1
Muyemeri Kopane ... Kidnapper 2
Bafana Skhosana ... Kidnapper 3
Promise Davids ... Gunman
Paul Matayi ... Warden
Steward Els ... Sniper
Phillip Jacob ... Ian First
Melusi Dladla ... CIU Officer 1
Sigayeli Mapasa ... CIU Officer 2