Uzalo Explained

Genre:	Soap opera, Crime Drama
Creator:	Duma Ndlovu
Creative Director:	Mmamitse Thibedi
Opentheme:	Uzalo
Endtheme:	Uzalo
Country:	South Africa
Language:	Zulu
Num Seasons:	9
Num Episodes:	1,974
Executive Producer:	Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube
Producer:	Mpfariseni King David Mukwevho
Cinematography:	Mike Sono Howard Nciweni
Camera:	Multi-cameras
Runtime:	23-25 minutes
Company:	Stained Glass Productions
Channel:	SABC 1
Last Aired:	present
Related:	eHostela, Skeem Saam and Durban Gen

Uzalo is a South African soap opera produced by Stained Glass Productions, which is co-owned by Kobedi "Pepsi" Pokane and Gugu Zuma-Ncube. It began airing in 2015, quickly becoming a hit due to its compelling narrative, writing, direction and the performances of the relatively-unknown cast.^[1] It initially told the story of two young men who were switched at birth, one being raised in a family with core Christian values and the other at a crime syndicate. It currently broadcasts from Monday to Friday on SABC 1.^{[2] [3]} It is currently the most watched television show in South Africa.^{[4] [5]}

Plot

Uzalo initially told the story of two families in the township of Kwa-Mashu: the Mdletshe family, who play a significant role in the management of the Kwamashu Kingdom Church, and the Xulu family who run a car theft syndicate. The connection between the families was that their eldest sons were switched at birth during the period when Nelson Mandela was released from prison.^{[3] [6]} As the show has progressed over the years, the storylines have dramatically changed with interchanging characters, contributing to many new story arcs, but simultaneously maintaining the growth of some of its main and supporting characters.

Cast and characters

• Nkunzebomvu (Nkunzi) Mhlongo, played by Masoja Msiza. He is the ex-husband of Innocentia, MaMlambo, Mazaza, Lindiwe and Gabisile. He is the father of Sambulo Gwala and Sbonelo 'Babongile' Mhlongo(previously Zikhali). Stepfather of Zekhethelo. He is the king of Ndlendle (Main role: Season 3 - present)
• Hlengiwe (MaMlambo) Mlambo played by Gugulethu Gumede KaMagwaza. She befriends MaNzuza and MaNcgobo and was married to Nkunzebomvu Mhlongo. She also had a relationship with Thobile's uncle Mbhekiseni but later dumped him after he was arrested for raping Thobile and various younger women. She had affairs with Melusi, Qhabanga and Nkunzi. She came back as a Sangoma.She is Co-Founder of KwaMashu Football Club alongside Njinji (Main role. Season 1 - season 10)
• Njinji Magwaza played by Thembi Nyandeni. She is wolf in sheep's clothing who act as a moral support for the youth and community of KwaMashu .She is Nkunzi's rival and her daughter Nomsawazi took After her as she also deals with hijacking cars and running of illegal businesses. She is mother of Nomsawazi and Vikizitha's aunt.She is the Founder of KwaMashu Football Club alongside MaMlambo. (Main role: season 8- Present)
• Nomsawazi Magwaza played by Fanele Ntuli. She is Njinji Magwaza's daughter and Sbonelo Mhlongo's ex girlfriend.She was killed by her mother in season 8 but resurfaced 8 days after her death and turned on her mother and stayed with Sbonelo Mhlongo in the Mhlongo mansion in KwaMashu.She is pregnant with Sibonelo's child.
• Mondli Mdlalose, played by Thembinkosi Thwala. Mondli is the Head police captain and dated Zekhethelo. He is Nosipho and Lilly's ex-boyfriend.He had a baby with Nosipho but the child died.He is The Punisher who beats up criminals at night.He is Sbongiseni's father with his previous wife.He is also Hlengiseni's grandfather (his s on Sbongiseni and Hlelolwenkosi's son) (Main role. Season 1 - present)
• Gabisile Mdletshe - Mhlongo, played by Baby Maloka. She is the sister of the Pastor Melusi and Zandile's sister in law. She is the aunt of Mxolisi, Nkosinathi and Mumsy. She is a landlady of a house she owns. Mother of Sbonelo. She is Qhabanga Khumalo's ex wife. She was killed by Qhabanga. She was saved by a girl called Hlelo.She is also Nkunzi's ex wife.She left Kwa-Mashu after Sibonelo died. (Main role. Season 3 - season 9)
  • Nonkanyiso "Nonka" Xaba, played by Thuthuka Mthembu. She works in the salon and is a good friend of Hleziphi and Fikile and is the ex-wife to Sibonelo. She is Njeza and Mbuso's sister and Lilly's cousin. She is MaDongwe's niece.She opened her own business. (Recurring role. Season 5; Main role. Season 6 - present)
• Sbusiso (Sbu) played by Simphiwe Majozi is an ex con. He is Fikile's Ex boyfriend. He worked for Nkunzi and MaNgcobo, and later Sibonelo.He finds a job at a Supermarket and also joins Shamanism.Later he resigns to work in the temple.He dated Hlelo but broke up with her after he found out that Hlelo was sleeping with Teenagers.He also found out that the Shamanism was a scam and then he started work in Nonka's business. (Recurring role. Season 1; Main role. Season 2 - Present)
• Njeza, played by Nkanyiso Makhanya. He is an ex con and is the older brother of Nonka and Mbuso. He is Lilly's cousin and MaDongwe's nephew. He worked at Khathaza's funeral home. He had a brief relationship with Zekhethelo and was in love with Nosipho, then Nonka's friend Hleziphi.He owns a car fixing business named Loxion Bling (Main role. Season 6 - present)
• Khethukuthula Mbatha,played by William Mnguni. He was a part of the board at KwaMashu Kingdom Church. He is formerly the pastor of KwaMashu Kingdom Church and was engaged to Fihliwe. He is also MaMadongwe's ex-husband.He is currently known as Shaman and he cons people. (Main role. Season 1 - season 10)
• Khalabemgeza Nyawo,played by Cebo Mthembu.He is a corrupt detective who works at KwaMashu Police Station.He is known for accepting bribes of criminals, cracking jokes and speaking bombastic words.(Recurring role. Season 5-6)(Main role. Season 7-present)

Cast As Per Title Sequence

• GUGU GUMEDE
• FANELE NTULI
• THEMBI NYANDENI
• SIMPHIWE MAJOZI
• NOTHANDO NGCOBO
• THEMBINKOSI MTHEMBU
• THABO MNGUNI
• NTOMBIFUTHI DLAMINI
• ZAMA MAGUBANE-NGCOBO
• NOXOLO MATHULA
• THUTHUKA MTHEMBU
• NKANYISO MAKHANYA
• MNQOBI KUNENE
• MASOJA MSIZA

Main Cast

Actor	Character	Seasons
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Masoja "Solle" Msiza	Nkunzebombu Mhlongo	colspan="8"
Thembi Nyandeni	Njinji Magwaza	colspan="3"
Fanele Ntuli	Nomaswazi Magwaza	colspan="3"
Gugu Gumede	Hlengiwe Mlambo	colspan="9"
Noxolo Mathula	Lillian Lilly Dongwe	colspan="5"
Thuthuka Mthembu	Nonkanyiso Xaba	colspan="5"
Simphiwe Majozi	Sbusiso Makathini	colspan="4"
Nkanyiso Makhanya	Nkululeko Njeza Xaba	colspan="5"
Zama Magubane-Ngcobo	MaDongwe	colspan="5"
Ntombifuthi Dlamini	Mam Madlala	colspan="5"
Thabo Mnguni	Khethukuthula Pope Mbatha	colspan="5"
Cebo Mthembu	Detective Nyawo	colspan="4"
Linda Majola	Mzamo

Ratings

Series 4 (2018)

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result
2015	Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards	Best Newcomer	Khumbulani 'Kay' Sibiya
		Best Actor	Mpumelelo Bhulose
		Best Actress	Sihle Ndaba
		Lifetime Achievement Award	Don Mlangeni Nawa
		Best Soapie	Uzalo
2016	The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards	Coolest Soapie	Uzalo
	Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards	Best Actress	Sihle Ndaba
2017	Dstv Mzansi Magic Viewers Choice Awards	Best Actor	Ntokozo 'TKDee' Dlamini
		Best Actress	Dawn Thandeka King
	South African Film and Television Awards	Best Achievement in Scriptwriting	Uzalo Writing Team; Head Writer Phathutshedzo Makwarela
2018	Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards	Best Supporting TV Actress	Nokuthula Mabika
		Best Actress	Baby Cele
		Best Supporting Actor	Simphiwe Majozi
	The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards 2018	Coolest TV soapie	Uzalo
	South African Film and Television Awards	Most Popular Soapie	Uzalo
	Dstv Mzansi Magic Viewer Choice Awards	Best Actor	Masoja Msiza
2019	South African Film and Television Awards	Best TV Soap	Uzalo
		Best Actress	Dawn Thandeka King
		Best Supporting Actor	Khaya Dladla
		Best Achievement in Editing - TV Soap	Nhlanhla Mngandi
		Best Achievement in Sound - TV Soap	Timotheus Du Preez
		Best Achievement in Wardrobe - TV Soap	Nokubonga Ngobeni
		Best Achievement in Make-up and Hair - TV Soap	Stella Johnson
		Most Popular TV Soap/Telenovela	Uzalo
2020	South African Film and Television Awards	Best Actress in a TV Soap	Baby Cele Maloka
		Popular Soapie/Telenovela	Uzalo
	Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards	Favourite Actress	Dawn Thandeka King
		Favourite Actor	Masoja Msiza
		Favourite Rising Star	Wiseman Mncube
	The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards 2020	Coolest Soapie	Uzalo
	Royalty Soapie Awards	Most Popular Soapie	Uzalo
		Best Actress	Dawn Thandeka King
		Best Supporting Actor	Simphiwe Majozi

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2015-02-09. TV with Thinus: REVIEW. SABC1's new Uzalo telenovela is light on soap, heavy on conflict as a more 'mature' Soul City that's less preachy, more dramatic.. 2020-08-20. TV with Thinus.
2. Web site: SABC1's new Uzalo: 'We're not Generations' . . 10 February 2015 . news.yahoo.com . Yahoo . 16 April 2015.
3. Web site: 'Uzalo' hope for Zuma . Bambalele . Patience . 9 February 2015 . www.filmcontact.com/ . 16 April 2015 . 13 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190913124658/http://www.filmcontact.com/news/south-africa/uzalo-hope-zuma . dead .
4. Web site: Matangira. Lungelo. 'Uzalo' officially SA's most watched show with over 10.2m viewers. 2020-10-27. ewn.co.za. en.
5. Web site: BOSS. "Uzalo" is the biggest show in SA. 2021-12-06. ikenaija.com. 6 December 2021 . en.
6. Web site: SABC1 takes on the telenovela with Uzalo . . 13 January 2015 . www.tvsa.co.za . 16 April 2015.