Uyaphapha is a South African crime comedy television miniseries created by Zee Ntuli and T.T. Sibisi and produced by Magic Factory which follows the adventures of a self-centered burglar who needs his half-wit friend to execute his latest harebrain heist, only for their friendship to be placed under strain when the friend's fiancé joins the team.
The series originally aired on DStv's Mzansi Magic channel as part of its "Lokshin Bioskop Series" strand from 15 October to 5 November, 2013, on Tuesdays at 21h30. New episodes broadcast weekly. It later aired on Mzansi Wethu as well. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Uyaphapha premiered on Mzansi Wethu on Monday 7 April 2014, at 21h30. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are four hour-long episodes in the series.
Synopsis
Two burglars - self-centred Lizwi and naïve, dim-witted Guavs - are best of friends. Their robberies don't always go that well but they are always sure the next one will be their master crime.
That is, until Guavs announces his engagement to the manipulative Bongi. Lizwi hates Bongi because he fears losing his loyal and only friend. However, Bongi has the plan and the access to rob the tavern where she works, so Lizwi reluctantly agrees.
Over the course of the series, the trio try to outwit, outdo and deceive each other all while attempting to burgle the Goodest Tavern, run by the most cutting cruel tavern owner in kasi, and guarded by Mkhonto, the biggest and most terrifying bouncer.
Can either the friendship or the engagement survive, and will the threesome find out that crime pays – or will they have to find another way?
Created by Zee Ntuli and Thuso "T.T." Sibisi, the series was written by Ntuli, Sibisi and Aimee Goldsmith and directed by Sihle Dlamini. The series producer was Alda Venter and the executive producer Patronella Sello.
Episodes
Episode 1: Plan A
Guavs announces that his fiancé, the manipulative Bongi, will be joining the boys on their next endeavour. They need her, because Bongi works at the tavern they plan to rob, but Lizwi hates her with a passion because deep down he's terrified of losing his one and only friend.
The trio prepare themselves physically, mentally and emotionally with various ridiculous exercises. All the while, Lizwi and Bongi compete fiercely for Guavs affection.
Tensions mount. Despite their utter lack of synergy, the team set out to go through with the robbery but fail before even getting in the front door.
In a desperate attempt to restore harmony, Guavs convinces Lizwi and Bongi to try again, this time with his plan. The only problem is Guavs doesn't really have a plan.
Episode 2: Plan B
Guavs is under a great deal of pressure to come up with a plan to rob Goodest Tavern. By an absolute stroke of luck, Guavs strikes up an unlikely friendship with the infamous tavern owner, Mr. Goodest.
Guavs convinces Lizwi and Bongi that he is using his new found friendship with Mr. Goodest as part of his plan to rob the tavern. Lizwi and Bongi are genuinely impressed with Guavs.
However, Guavs unwittingly starts to like Mr. Goodest. He gets so carried away with pretending to be Mr. Goodest' friend, that he no longer has the stomach to rob the tavern.
Guavs makes a decision to sabotage the plans for the current robbery, resulting in the trio's second bitter failure.
Episode 3: Plan C
Guavs is harshly ridiculed by Lizwi for sabotaging their previous robbery. Bongi consoles him. The time is ripe for her to exploit the tension between the two friends.
Bongi convinces Guavs to end his friendship with Lizwi, who pretends not to care. He immediately sets out to find a replacement for M'Gauvs. Lizwi pairs up with Mkhonto, Goodest Tavern's mysterious, menacing bouncer.
In the meantime, Gauvs has a new best man for the wedding, his obnoxious cousin, Young Shudu, who's determined to use the wedding as launch for his demo Hip Hop album. Bongi quickly grows to hate Young Shudu even more than she hates Lizwi.
Against her better judgement, she decides to reunite Lizwi and M'Gauvs. With the trio back together, they plan their fourth attempt at robbing Goodest Tavern.
However, the team has never been more fragile.
Episode 4: Plan D
The team are finally all working well togther. Their preparations for their next attempt on the Tavern are running smoothly. However, when Lizwi overhears Guavs and Bongi talking about their honeymoon plans, his terror of being alone resurfaces.
When Bongi's ex-boyfriend, the blonde and ultra-vain male model, Bra'Casio, arrives to try and get Bongi back, Lizwi decides to help him. He convinces Guavs that Bongi is being unfaithful.
Lizwi is elated, until he sees how devastated Guavs is. His victory isn't sweet, it tastes of guilt and shame. Knowing that his confession might lead to the loss of his best friend, Lizwi finally does the right thing – but is it too late to salvage the wedding?
Who will be best man? And will the trio finally triumph over the Goodest Tavern?
Seasons
Season 1 (4 episodes)
Channel: Mzansi Magic | Premiere: 15 Oct 2013 | Finale: 5 Nov 2013 | Tue, 21h30
Channel: Mzansi Wethu | Premiere: 7 Apr 2014 | Finale: 28 Apr 2014 | Mon, 21h30