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

Cast As Per Title Sequence

Main Cast

ActorCharacterSeasons
12345678910
Masoja "Solle" MsizaNkunzebombu Mhlongocolspan="8"
Thembi NyandeniNjinji Magwazacolspan="3"
Fanele NtuliNomaswazi Magwazacolspan="3"
Gugu GumedeHlengiwe Mlambocolspan="9"
Noxolo MathulaLillian Lilly Dongwecolspan="5"
Thuthuka MthembuNonkanyiso Xabacolspan="5"
Simphiwe MajoziSbusiso Makathinicolspan="4"
Nkanyiso MakhanyaNkululeko Njeza Xabacolspan="5"
Zama Magubane-NgcoboMaDongwecolspan="5"
Ntombifuthi DlaminiMam Madlalacolspan="5"
Thabo MnguniKhethukuthula Pope Mbathacolspan="5"
Cebo MthembuDetective Nyawocolspan="4"
Linda MajolaMzamo

Ratings

Series 4 (2018)

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2015Simon "Mabunu" Sabela AwardsBest NewcomerKhumbulani 'Kay' Sibiya
Best ActorMpumelelo Bhulose
Best ActressSihle Ndaba
Lifetime Achievement AwardDon Mlangeni Nawa
Best SoapieUzalo
2016The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next AwardsCoolest SoapieUzalo
Simon "Mabunu" Sabela AwardsBest ActressSihle Ndaba
2017Dstv Mzansi Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest ActorNtokozo 'TKDee' Dlamini
Best ActressDawn Thandeka King
South African Film and Television AwardsBest Achievement in ScriptwritingUzalo Writing Team; Head Writer Phathutshedzo Makwarela
2018Simon "Mabunu" Sabela AwardsBest Supporting TV ActressNokuthula Mabika
Best ActressBaby Cele
Best Supporting ActorSimphiwe Majozi
The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards 2018Coolest TV soapieUzalo
South African Film and Television AwardsMost Popular SoapieUzalo
Dstv Mzansi Magic Viewer Choice AwardsBest Actor Masoja Msiza
2019South African Film and Television AwardsBest TV SoapUzalo
Best ActressDawn Thandeka King
Best Supporting ActorKhaya Dladla
Best Achievement in Editing - TV SoapNhlanhla Mngandi
Best Achievement in Sound - TV SoapTimotheus Du Preez
Best Achievement in Wardrobe - TV SoapNokubonga Ngobeni
Best Achievement in Make-up and Hair - TV SoapStella Johnson
Most Popular TV Soap/TelenovelaUzalo
2020South African Film and Television AwardsBest Actress in a TV SoapBaby Cele Maloka
Popular Soapie/TelenovelaUzalo
Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice AwardsFavourite ActressDawn Thandeka King
Favourite ActorMasoja Msiza
Favourite Rising StarWiseman Mncube
The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards 2020Coolest SoapieUzalo
Royalty Soapie Awards Most Popular SoapieUzalo
Best ActressDawn Thandeka King
Best Supporting ActorSimphiwe 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.