Season 1
The Estate is a South African telenovela which revolves around a gated suburban community which begins to feel less secure when a neighbouring township launches a land claim against the estate.
The series tackles issues such as land and identity, corruption, patronage, money (old and new), power, class and equality, all told through a colourful mix of South African families that fight for their space in these topical debates.
The storyline centres around the gated suburban community haven Echelon Estate.
Beautiful homes line the landscaped green parks of the golf course. There is a clubhouse, a gym, and the entire Estate is surrounded by an eight-metre-high brick wall and tight security.
There are families that live within the walls – a diverse cross-section of South African society from all walks of life, from the super elite to the struggling middle class trying to keep up with the Joneses - as well as the working class of labouring visitors in this 'wonderland'.
Meanwhile, trouble brews outside the iron gates of suburbia as growing pressure around a land claim concerning The Estate from the neighbouring Thembalethu township community intensifies.
The ever-present threat of 'the peasants storming the castle' looms over the privileged Estate residents, while long buried secrets are about to be unearthed (literally) as a terrible Faustian deal between two men is revealed.
The series deals with themes such as identity and heritage, historical disempowerment and the fight for true economic freedom, truth vs lies, corruption and its consequences and other social issues that have relevance and resonance, in the current state of South Africa.
In the series premiere: Property mogul Muzi Phakathwayo launches the extension of the Estate at a lavish party, breaking a sacred promise he made to Shadrack.
Slay queen, Gigi, makes a play for Muzi, and an unexpected guest arrives at the party to shake things up.
Based on a concept by Helen Smit and Genna Lewis, The Estate is produced by Clive Morris Productions with executive producers Khayelihle Dom Gumede, Lala Tuku and Clive Morris.
The series producer is Phophi Phakathi and the showrunner is Brenda Mukwevho. The head director is Sibusiso Phakathi and series directors include Fikile Mogodi and Twiggy Matiwana.
The head writer is Chisanga Kabinga, with storyliners Bongi Ndaba, Neo Sibiya and Eddie Thaba.
Original music is by Mpho "37mph" Pholo and Nhlanhla Moses Mahlangu.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Sdumo Mtshali ... Muzi Phakathwayo
Jo-anne Reyneke ... Lwandle Phakathwayo
Don Mlangeni Nawa ... Shadrack Mokobane
Clementine Mosimane ... Mmatshepo Mokobane
Aubrey Poo ... Castro Kamanga
Zenzelisphesihle Xulu ... Siya Phakathwayo
Dineo Moeketsi ... Mmakoena Molefe (as Dineo Langa)
Matli Mohapeloa ... Lesiba Molefe
Zenokuhle Maseko ... Sindi Phakathwayo
Mpho Sibeko ... Dumisani Mokobane
Linda Sebezo ... Goniwe Phakathwayo
Jacques Blignaut ... Martin van Wyk
Nambitha Ben-Mazwi ... Gigi Thethani
Nadia Valvekens ... Suzaan le Roux
Maxx Moticoe ... Ayanda Nkosi
Recurring / Guests
Carla Classen ... Tessa van Wyk
Penny Wolhuter ... Leah le Roux
Bahle Hadebe ... Phenyo Bopape
Siyanda Sesimani ... Dlamini
Sibonile Ngubane ... Bab'Phakathwayo
Mtokozisi Nkabinde ... Young Siya Phakathwayo
Ayanda Sishuba ... Young Muzi Phakathwayo
Murray Todd ... Robert Webber
Cholyn Kameel ... Karen
Nosiphiwo Khakaza ... Lola Mtsi
Matshidiso Malope ... Councillor Magubane
Tlotlo Mooketsi ... Councillor Hlongwane
Omphemetse Manaka ... Zakes
Ofentse Rakolo ... Tibs
Hildegardt Whites ... Grace van Wyk
Thabo Malema ... Boikanyo Mphahlele
Moliehi Makobane ... Tsholofelo Tau (as Moliehi Didie Makobane)
Jerry Phele ... Ntate Bopape (as Jerry Pele)
Khayakazi Kula ... Faniswa Mbuthuma
Lindani Motha ... Zweli
Zanokuhle Mkhwanazi ... Lerato
Jonathan Taylor ... Catholic Priest
Andrian Mazive ... Nkedama Kamanga (as Adrian Mazive)
Adrian Poulsen ... Dr Addington
Amanda Quwe ... Zodwa Mpisane
Amos Ketlele ... Ntate Phasha (as Amos Ketlele-Chalale)
Leanne Manas ... News Anchor
Albert Khoza ... Sangoma
Snqobile Ngwane ... Khuzwayo
Sibusiso Black Madondo ... Enoch Mabuza
Bathandwa Mbobo ... Nkanyezi Sithole
Thokozani Nzima ... Parole Officer
Luzuko Nkqeto ... Pastor Thethani
Thabiso Mahapa ... Anathi
Bathandwa Mbobo ... Nkanyezi Sithole (as Bathwandwa Mbobo)
Paul Maila ... Sideon Matlala
Nosiphiwo Nqduzuta ... Eunice
Mzwandile Ndaba ... Police Officer
Phillip Jacobs ... Surveyor
Melvin Thompson ... Tumelo Mokobane
Murray Todd ... Andrew Webber
David Konrad ... Paul Holford
Charlie Bouguenon ... Ryan le Roux
Mayuri Naidu ... Devina Anthony
Thando Dlamini ... Young Castro
Christopher van der Westhuizen Gareth Holford
David James ... Detective Labuschagne
Solane Mlambo ... Commissioner Sibeko
Botshelo Motlhabane ... Young Dumisani
Modise Motaung ... Rover
Sihle Ngwenya ... Mngomezulu
Manqoba Sibisi ... Nothile Zungu
Sibusiso Moses Ngwenya ... SG Msomi
Judette Oosterhuis ... Leah's Blonde Friend
Nadine Esterhuizen ... Leah's Blonde Friend's Sister
Gopala Davies ... Aarush Naidoo
Sifiso Mnyandu ... Unemployed Youth
Mandla Jwara ... Ntate Rasedi
Huey Louw ... Uncle Lenny
Craig MacKinnon ... Clubhouse Manager
Ivy Nkutha ... Koko Mothibe
Mduduzi Nyanga ... Express
Khutjo Green ... Dr Mseleku
Lorcia Cooper ... Jo Mohammed (as Lorcia Cooper-Kumalo)
Joseph Mutumane ... Homeless Man
Ntokozo Ngcobo ... Young Goniwe Phakathwayo
Daniel Janks ... Dr Kemp
Siyabonga Dlamini ... Oupa
Olive Strachan ... Mam'Mthethwa
Neil Abel ... Mr Stevens (as Niel Abel)
Edward Motshana ... Ditjoe
Norah Mmusi ... Mama Phakathwayo
Bongani Dlamini ... Local Pastor
Mandla Blessing Zikhali ... Shangase
Nkosinathi Kheswa ... Bongo Zungu
Kholiwe Bikani ... Praise Poet
Sibusiso Shongwe ... MC
Siyabonga Mqokozo ... Councillor Dlanga
Bruce Grounder ... Bra Samson
Hector Theko ... Foreman Mukheli
Brian Mabasa ... Prisoner 1
Uwais Hoosen ... Prakesh Anthony
Brian Mabasa ... Prisoner 1
Dashey Sentsho ... Prisoner 2
Sean O'Grady ... Boikanyo's Lawyer
Caroline Borole ... Newsreader Voice Over (voice) (as Caroline Borele)
Songezo Gamedala ... Shackman
Ivan Mhlongo ... Eric Mudau
Ashish Gangapersad ... Rajesh Singh
Kaseran Pillay ... Captain Singh / Captain Reddy
Vicky Kente ... Majali
Grace Mavuso ... Madam Justice Nyambose
Sipho Hlongwane ... GBV Suspect
Chunky Phiri ... Bongani (as Chucky Phiri)
Sello Motloung ... Elias Nkosi
Collen Mhlare ... Unhappy Man
Righardt Green ... Candidate Attorney
Siyamthanda Banda ... Nhlakanipho
Anton Dekker ... Oom Pretorius
Lee Visagie ... Chantelle Pretorius
Sipho Zele ... Uncle Allen
Phumzile Khubeka ... Aunt 1 (as Phimizile Khubeka)
Noluvu Gloria Ntapu ... Aunt 2
Tim Hulse ... Mr Bateman
Bradley Hartman ... Gilles Laurent
James Brooke ... Principal v/o (voice)
Maria Selepe ... Aunty Tshedi v/o (voice)
Claudia Kotzen ... Therapist (as Claudia Anna Kotzen)
Jacques Gombault ... Principal
Zandile Lujabe ... Precious Mazibuko
Tlotlo Mosimege ... Resident 1
Nombuso Mfeka Mthembu ... Mam'Mkhize
AB Montoedi ... Umkhongi
Nomsa Sonqishe ... Judge Hlela
Praise Mwelase ... Karabo
Dale Alderton ... Judges Registrar
Melusi Radebe ... Old Man
Mduduzi Sithole ... Bone Expert