Season 5
An irresponsible teen mom... a predatory teacher... an ambitious hostess... a conflicted adolescent struggling to understand his identity... a neglected trophy wife... a pregnant schoolgirl... a possessive boyfriend... a ruthless entrepreneur... these are some of the faces of MTV Shuga: Down South.
Set in the homes, cafés, schools, parks and hangouts of fictional township Zenzele, and real-life Braamfontein, MTV Shuga: Down South is the fifth instalment in the award-winning drama series Shuga, which uses drama to disseminate important public health messages.
The fifth season, directed by Mmabatho Montsho, Thabang Moleya and Rea Rangaka and set in South Africa, includes a new focus on issues affecting adolescent girls in South Africa, with a particular emphasis on their vulnerability to unintended pregnancy and HIV infection.
The season interweaves stories of heartbreak, love, betrayal and difficult decisions among contemporary South African youth. Other key plot points include transactional sex, living with HIV, infidelity and issues affecting LGBT teens.
In keeping with the contemporary tone of the drama, musicians Seyi Shay, Fifi Cooper and Kwesta make cameo appearances as themselves, while Mohau Cele returns in the role of dissatisfied schoolgirl/singer Bongi.
Emmanuel Ikubese returns as HIV+ music promoter Femi, while Nick Mutuma reprises his role of good boy gone bad, Leo. Vanessa Mdee plays Storm, wife to Clint Brink's Rakeem.
Other key roles are played by Adesua Etomi, Thuso Mbedu, Mohau Cele, Jezriel Skei, Lerato Walaza, Given Stuurman, Samkelisiwe Makhoba, Stephanie Sandows, S'thandiwe Kgoroge, Phila Mazibuko, Ayanda Makayi, Graeme Kriega, Lehlohonolo Makoko, Nqobile Sipamla, Thembsie Matu and Winnie Ntshaba.
Airing weekly on MTV Base, the series also airs on BET, other Viacom owned networks including BET International (UK/France), and third party broadcasters including SABC (South Africa), NTA (Nigeria), Citizen TV (Kenya), KBC (Kenya), GHONE (Ghana), RTNC (DRC), Tanzanian Broadcasting Corporation (Tanzania), NBS TV (Uganda), African Movie Channel US (USA), and TV Brasil (Brazil).
Other elements of the MTV Shuga campaign include a 15-part radio drama series complementing the TV series, a peer educator programme, comic book, audience polling, consumer helplines, mobile information service, social media and a range of digital platforms.
MTV Shuga: Down South is supported by the South African government's Department of Basic Education, PEPFAR (The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), Marie Stopes International, ViiV Healthcare's Positive Action MSM & Transgender Programme, CIFF (Children's Investment Fund Foundation) and FHI 360 (Family Health International).
MTV Shuga: Down South is produced on behalf of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and MTV Base by Quizzical Pictures.
Season 5 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Mohau Mokoatle ... Bongi
Ikubese Emmanuel Ifeanyi... Femi (as Emmanuel Ikubese)
Lerato Walaza ... Zamo
Given Stuurman ... Reggie
Thuso Mbedu ... Ipeleng
Nick Mutuma ... Leo
Samkelisiwe Makhoba ... Khensani
Stephanie Sandows ... Tsholo
with Clint Brink ... Rakeem
Ayanda Makayi ... Sol
Jezriel Skei ... Q
and featuring Vanessa Mdee. Storm
Recurring / Guests
Sthandiwe Kgoroge ... Nomalanga
Lehlohonolo Makoko ... Mr. Vilakazi
Zenande Mfenyana ... Cynthia Vilakazi
Tshepo Maseko ... Robert
TK Sebothoma ... Zolani
Tefo Magengenene ... Nathi
Tshiamo Molobi ... Lemo
Herbert Sibanda ... Fentse
Bertin Yao ... VIP Guest
Avuyile Matshikiza ... VIP Guest 2
John Maduke ... VIP Guest 3
Praiz ... Guest Artist
Wanele Vilakazi ... Spoonkie (baby)
Okwanele Vilakazi ... Spoonkie (baby)
Neliswa Nkwali ... Anda
Moolisi Nhemeza ... Spantsula Dancer
Abi Dzimba ... Spantsula Dancer
Sibusisu Mbambo ... Spantsula Dancer
Tebogo Nakedi ... Hip Hop Dancer
Precider Mphelane ... Hip Hop Dancer
Nthabeleng Modau ... Hip Hop Dancer
Themba Mabaso ... Hip Hop Dancer
Senzo Moloi ... Hip Hop Dancer
Josiah Matshego ... Hip Hop Dancer
Tshepo Mohlabane ... Hip Hop Dancer
Phila Mazibuko ... DJ Coalstove
Graeme Kriega ... Mr Lionel Masangu
Nqobile Sipamla ... Mam Phumzile
Thembsie Matu ... Mama
Gontse Ntshegang ... Sis B
Winnie Ntshaba ... Neliswe Chauke
Mangaliso Ngema ... Pastor Mvikeli / Meshack Chauke
Muzi Mthembu ... Diliza
Heavy K ... Special Guest Artist
Fifi Cooper ... Special Guest Artist
Florence Maluleka ... Nurse
Thabiso Ndlovu ... Soccer Player
Thabani Ndlovu ... Soccer Player
Thabiso Seboka ... Soccer Player
Danielle Retief ... Mandy
Seyi Shay ... Special Guest Artist
Carl Jarrome ... Benny
Eve Rasimeni ... Nurse
Kwesta ... Himself
Macmillian Mabaleka ... Sizwe
Ayanda Seoka ... Doctor
Jessica Feli ... Counsellor
Stonebwoy ... Guest Appearance
Adesua Etomi ... Sheila
Clayton Boyd ... Dr Friedman
Victoria Kimani ... Guest Appearance
Nonhlanhla Ndaba ... Mrs Masangu
Ntando Dhladhla ... Young Daughter
Vusi Phandla ... Principal
Priddy Ugly ... Guest Appearance
Rouge ... Guest Appearance
K.O ... Guest Appearance