Broken Vows is a South African telenovela created by Helen Smit and set against the backdrop of a family-owned wedding planning company called Yours Truly Wedding Concepts, which revolves around the two daughters entrusted with running it.
The company was founded by well-known businesswoman and Moswane family matriarch, Mam Gertrude (Thembi Mtshali-Jones), and is run by her youngest daughter Azania (Enhle Mbali Maphumulo) and adopted daughter Thandi (Jo-anne Reyneke).
The dynamic duo are renowned for turning couple's romantic dreams of their big day into a spectacular reality. They've mastered the art of dealing with bridezillas, the monster mothers in law, demanding family members - and even brides who get cold feet at the steps to the altar.
These two young women must juggle between running a successful wedding planning company and keeping their deep and dark secrets of their lives under the carpet.
The show explores the various dynamics of love, family feuds, insatiable lusts and deep, dark secrets of the Moswane family. Storylines have lot of twists and turns, when Gertrude's estranged husband returns with a secret that could change everything for this close-knit family and threatens the future of the company.
Taking on the role of Ace is Sello Sebotsane, the patriarch of the Moswane family. The ruthless father to Uhuru and Azania brings nothing but trouble for the family. He and Mam Gertrude find themselves at loggerheads when he returns from jail and wants to be part of the family again. Mam Gertrude is torn between keeping him away and the desire to keep her family together.
Other cast include Mandla Gaduka in the recurring role of Damian, Thapelo Mokoena as Uhuru, Emmanuel Castis as Chris Myburgh, Shaleen Surtie-Richards as Charmaine, Lehasa Moloi as Lebo and Nambitha Ben-Mazwi as Lulama. The show also sees the return of one-time Zama Zama presenter Nomsa Nene in the role of Lydia, Thandi's mother.
Broken Vows was created by Helen Smit and produced by Clive Morris Productions. Smit is a producer, with executive producers Clive Morris, Ntokozo Mbuli and Genna Lewis. The executive producer for e.tv is Bobo Radu.
The head writer is Henriëtta Gryffenberg, with storyliners Sunni Faba, Ryan Yamba and Sihle Hlophe. The first episode was directed by Gert van Niekerk and original music is by Alan Lazar.
Main Cast
Gertrude (Thembi Mtshali-Jones)
'Tough as nails', 'wise', and 'mother lion' are traits that best describe the founder and owner of Yours Truly Concepts. Mam Gerty is the true matriarch of the Moswane family - she puts her family and business first and she will do everything to protect both.
Azania (Enhle Mbali Maphumulo)
Azania is highly creative and loves the challenge of creating the dream wedding for every client. She is tech-savvy and loves to do digital presentations - but refuses to deal with her clients' family issues. She is the youngest daughter of the Moswane family and is married to Chris Myburgh (Emmanuel Castis). She had a close relationship with her father and works hard to get her mother's approval.
Uhuru (Thapelo Mokoena)
The eldest of the Moswane children, Uhuru is a witty, charming and charismatic journalist. His passion is what makes him sexy, along with how much he loves his mother. He is a good guy with some edge.
Ace (Sello Sebotsane)
A cunning chameleon, Ace is the definition of a wolf in a sheep's clothing. He is charming and smooth - but ruthless and out for revenge. He manipulates all those around him to protect his lies.
Thandi (Jo-Anne Reyneke)
Senior wedding planner at Yours Truly Concepts, Thandi is highly organised, ambitious and determined to be the best at her job. She was taken in by the Moswane family when she was 15, having come from a troubled background. Her mother entrusted her to Mam Gerty after the two women previously worked together.
Lydia (Nomsa Nene)
Lydia is Thandi's biological mother who once worked with Mam Gerty in the business. She is a tough and bitter woman who has a troubled relationship with her daughter. She yearns to have a relationship with Thandi and resents Mam Gerty. She believes she is the root of all her problems.
Lulama (Nambitha Ben-Mazwi)
Sexy, stylish and brutally honest – that's Lulama. She looks and is styled like a model. She is always dressed up and ready to meet her future husband - desperate to get married. Luckily, she can tell you how to spot a player from a mile away. She manages the bridal couture department at Yours Truly Concepts and is an aspiring designer.
Lebo (Lehasa Moloi)
Lebo is a photographer at Yours Truly Concepts. He is smooth and slick and knows how to work angles. He is always in a muscle top to show off his body and is always chasing skirts. He is not the brightest bulb, but is good at his job.
Charmaine (Shaleen Surtie-Richards)
The florist mother hen of the wedding planning business and a firecracker woman who never stops talking, Charmaine loves giving unsolicited advice and a real gossip and meddler – but with a well-meaning heart.
Chris Myburgh (Emmanuel Castis)
Christopher is a retired professional soccer player whose career was cut short by a back injury. He is married to Azania and they love each other deeply. He wants prove to himself - and everybody else - that he is worthy of Azania.
Damian (Mandla Gaduka)
After paying his dues in the funeral business at Namane Funerals business on Ashes to Ashes, Damian has decided he had enough of death and puts his events skills to use in a livelier environment. He joins Yours Truly Concepts and becomes the wedding décor specialist. We follow Damian through the hilarious, emotional and highly stressful journey of wedding planning.