Coming up on
Amalanga Awafani this week:
Three newcomers who become the centre of Thembi's nightmare new normal now that she's been kidnapped.
Thembi's journey leads her to a remote village in Ulundi, in the Kingdom of eNhlanhleni, the Manqele royal family.
Here, she's forced to navigate uncertainty as she is prepared - reluctantly and under duress - to marry Prince Melizwe Manqele, setting her on a path of personal struggle and transformation.
The new characters and actors playing them are:
Prince Melizwe Manqele
Played by Sihle Chiliza
Who is Melizwe?
A prince who lives with the secret of being gay but chooses Thembi as his future wife.
This from Sihle about him:
Sihle: "As for the role of Melizwe specifically, it was very challenging because it was something that was way out of my comfort zone.
I knew that at some point in my career I would play a character like Melizwe, and I’m happy that I was allowed to set boundaries because as a straight man, being too close and too touchy with another man is very uncomfortable, but I had to swallow the fear.”
Where have you seen Sihle?
Sihle's a Durban-born actor and performer who says he has a deep passion for storytelling across theatre and screen.
He's had roles on Sibongile & The Dlaminis and Redemption where he played Young Pastor Simon.
He debuts on Amalanga on Tuesday 28 October 2025.
Ntaba Khumalo
Played by Alfred Majola
Who is Ntaba?
Prince Melizwe’s right-hand and secret lover.
Alfred on the role:
Alfred: “Portraying Ntaba was initially challenging. Stepping into the role of a character in a same-sex relationship requires me to stretch my craft in new ways, highlighting certain nuances in relation to the character. I hope to further explore and expand Ntaba’s journey.”
He also debuts on Tuesday 28 October.
Where have you seen Alfred?
He played a Thug Boss on Uzalo and a Mabalane Bro on Showmax series Soft Life. He's also a property practitioner.
Nokwazi
Played by Yenziwe Sithole
Who is Nokwazi?
The first person Thembi sees after she's been abducted.
Nokwazi comes from a long line of handmaidens who spend their lives in service to the Manqele Kingdom.
It is Nokwazi’s honour and privilege to induct Thembi in the ways of the Manqele kingdom as she is about to marry the prince.
Yenziwe's perspective:
Yenziwe: "Playing my role as Nokwazi, Thembi's handmaiden, is such a beautiful experience. It’s given me a chance to really dive into character and explore new layers of storytelling.”
She makes her first appearance on Monday 27 October 2025.
Where have you seen Yenziwe?
She's had roles on Imbewu, Durban Gen and Season 2 of M-Net's crime thriller Reyka where she played Neo.