Season 1
Ring of Lies is a South African telenovela created and produced by Penguin Films which follows the story of a bare-knuckle boxing champion who gets scouted by well-known manager Mandla (Masoja Msiza) on the dusty streets of rural Limpopo.
Neo's (Mpho Sebeng) parents are disapproving of his dream to become a boxer, so he runs away during the night to follow his dream of becoming a champion in Johannesburg.
He soon meets and falls in love with Mandla's daughter, the innocent Sli (Dineo Nchabeleng), and then encounters his formidable opponent, Kabelo (Bohang Moeko). This acts as the catalyst that catapults Neo into a world of secrets, betrayals and lies.
It is soon revealed that Neo's mother, Naledi (Florence Masebe) has a dark history with Mandla, and there's more to Mandla's intentions than what appears on the surface.
Other notable cast members include Baby Cele in the role of Mandla's wife Ruth, Tessa Twala as the young temptress Gugu, and Slindile Nodangala as Thando, who has her own dark secrets to reveal.
The series is set in Limpopo, Soweto, Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal.
The series stars Mpho Sebeng as Neo, Bohang Moeko as Kabelo, Masoja Msiza as Mandla, Florence Masebe as Masindi, Baby Cele as Ruth, Sello Motloung as Thabelo, Dineo Nchabeleng as Sli, Tessa Twala as Gugu, Warren Masemola as Stukkie, Slindile Nodangala as Thando and Sam Medupe as Bra Fly.
Ring of Lies was created and produced by Penguin Films. Directors include Alex Yazbek and Thabo Khambule and the creative producers are Roberta Durrant and Janine Cornelius. The script writing team includes Philane Ndaba, Dennis Venter, Matthew Kallil, Shirley Johnston, Ross Van Leeve, Thea Small, Sinovuyo Jwacu, Mandilakhe Yengo, Bantuza Mchunu, Antonia Reible, Lerato Khanye and Robert Durrant.
The Ring of Lies theme music is by Sphethu Records and Select Play, with show music composed by Murray Anderson. The boxing coach and choreographer is Gert Strydom.
The working title of the show was The Contenders.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Mpho Sebeng ... Neo
Bohang Moeko ... Kabelo
Masoja Msiza ... Mandla
Florence Masebe ... Masindi
Baby Cele ... Ruth
Sello Motloung ... Thabelo
Dineo Nchabeleng ... Sli
Tessa Twala ... Gugu
Warren Masemola ... Stukkie
Slindile Nodangala ... Thando (also credited as Slindile Kunene)
Sam Medupe ... Bra Fly
Recurring / Guests
Mbulelo Grootboom ... Young Mandla
Nyembezi Kunene ... Bra Knox
Felicia Mahambehlala ... Lady Vendor (as Felicia Mahambehlale)
Jonathan Pienaar ... Kleintjie
Busi Mtshali ... Arabang
Wiseman Mncube ... Boxer 1 (as Wiseman Mcube)
Sekoati Tsubane ... Commentator
Bonginkosi Twala ... Shorty
Merlin Balie ... Doctor
Shelton Forbez ... Lindani
Babsy Selela ... Tubby
Vele Manenje ... Shandu
Nhlanhla John Lata ... Minister Gumede (as John Lata)
OTHER S1 CAST
Tshimagadzo Tshishivheli... Dembe (also credited as Tshimangazo Tshishiveli)
Millicent Makoba ... Marumbi
Phindile Zwane ... Young Masindi (also credited as Phindi Zwane)
Zithobe Hlongwane ... Young Kabelo
Takalani Phandwa ... Kabane Jnr
Shadi Chauke ... Dumi
Mzuvukayo Yengwa ... Sheriff
Sydwell Buthelezi ... Street Youth
Carlo Radebe ... Lawyer
Thapelo Lebethe ... Taxi Driver
Boikutso Ngwenya ... Referee
Tshepo Sefatsane ... Journalist
Nceba Shwayimba ... Photographer
Mthura Reshane ... Naughty Boy 1
Romeo Msinga ... Naughty Boy 2
Neliswa Mbewu ... Sis Hlehle
Buang Sealetsa ... Boxer 2 (also credited as Buahang Sealetse)
Lesego Mokgoa ... Nurse (as Lesego Mogkoa)
Gift Leotlela ... Bra Eno
Jorrisen ... Waiter
Didimalang Moagi ... Reporter
Boikusto Ngwenya ... Referee
Moses Twala ... Referee
Lucky Ramogale ... Referee
Charles Mabunda ... Kabelo's Opponent
Azwi Malaka ... Principal
Sipho Mwelase ... Older Boxer
Pumla Ndlazi ... Aunt Nomcebo
Regina Dube ... Indoni Woman
Hlayani Junior Mabasa ... Numbers (as Hlayani Jr. Mabasa)
Hastings Muravha ... Male Principle
Solly Sebati ... Pharmacist
Faso Makhombothi ... Queue Marshall
Mpume Mtombeni ... Sangoma
Nomcebo Gumede ... Young Ruth
Tshepo Maloi ... Doctor 2
Hloni Ncubaka ... Local Boy
Nolitha Zulu ... Young Gugu
Bongi Ncube ... Gugu's Mother
Bongani Dube ... Violent Man
Thembisile Khubeka ... Dikgang
Lebohang Manganye ... Nurse 2
Katlego Mashishi ... Young Thando
Caria Botha ... Young Nurse
Valtina Podile ... Cellmate
Senzekile Mofokeng ... Prison Guard
Sindisiwe Ndaba ... Police Guard