Harvest is a South African television drama series which follows the story of three women - Celia, Clementine and Tshepiso - who are forced to take over an international drug smuggling business when their husbands are murdered, running it under the guise of a global frozen foods empire.
Based on the premise of three strong women in a "man's world", Harvest covers all the aspects of family, love and betrayal in a cutthroat illegal business sector.
Harvest answers the question: "Why do we make the choices that we make?" by focusing on the real trials and tribulations of women fighting for recognition in the high-stakes business world as mothers, lovers, sisters and bosses.
Masasa Mbangeni plays the lead role of Celia, who assumes the position of leadership in the business. Vatiswa Ndara plays Clementine, a business partner and frenemy to Celia. Khanya Mkganisa takes on the role of Tshepiso, the young trophy wife who is naïve when it comes to her late husband's business operations.
Other series regulars include Muzi Mthabela as Richard, a man who harbours a deep secret; Mutodi Neshehe as Mandla, Celia's lousy husband; Gabriel Mini as Zimba, Clementine's genial and loving husband; and Nat Ramabulana as Mxolisi, Tshepiso's newly "acquired husband".
Other cast include Kagiso Modupe, Petronella Tshuma, Anathi Seyisi, Lutho John, Oros Mampofu, Rami Chuene, Fezile Makhanya, Thenjiwe Moseley, Lebohang Motaung, Batsile Ramasodi and Junior Singo.
Harvest is produced by Ochre Moving Pictures. The series producer is Natalie Prinsloo and the head writer is Steven Pillemer. Portia Gumede is the show runner and Stan Joseph is the executive producer. Directors include Natalie Haarhoff and Beautie Masvaure Alt.
Main Cast
Celia (played by Masasa Mbangeni)
The Anti-Hero and CEO: Celia Mahlamvu Jele (30s) was born in the Eastern Cape. She's feisty, and in her youth crossed many lines that she kept from her husband in order to keep the family afloat. She bribed cops, slept with criminals and did whatever she had to, to keep the wheels turning.
It was worth it - or so she thought - because it meant Mandla, her husband, got his MBA, and then with the help of some unlikely friends, they built an international business.
Clementine (played by Vatiswa Ndara)
Clementine Mfona (40s) is an opinionated, strong-willed woman, set in her ways, and capable of bearing long grudges. Her hard exterior hides a loving heart, though. She's based in the Eastern Cape and though she appears to be 'just a farm girl', she's hard as nails with a wry sense of humour and a vicious and violent past.
Clementine is Celia's closest ally, but if she can be turned against her, she will become her greatest enemy.
Tshepiso (played by Khanya Mkangisa)
Tshepiso Ndlovu is in her 20s. She's the gorgeous trophy wife whose grief for her husband - and realisation of her own lack of independence - nearly leads to her death.
A startling realisation makes her fight for her place amongst the new business partners in an attempt to hold onto her husband's legacy. She doesn't know she's been lied to, and what the business is truly about - and Celia keeps it that way by putting her in charge of CSI.
Richard (played by Muzi Mthabela)
Charming, strong, sensual, muscular and dangerous, Richard's not a family man, but has a failed marriage and an estranged son. He has known Celia, and her deceased husband, for a long time.
He enters the series as a mysterious force of destruction, but as time passes, we learn how he fits into the puzzle of everyone's lives, why he has come for revenge, and what he truly loves and desires.
Ndoni (played by Anathi Seyisi)
Celia's beautiful 18-year-old daughter is a wild child. Mandla may have been a lousy husband, but he was an amazing father, and he and Ndoniyamanzi had a great relationship.
Conversely, her relationship with her mother was terrible and Mandla's death, coupled with Celia's inability to connect to Ndoni, triggers a spiral of vulnerability that leads to self-destruction and a terrifying journey for Ndoniyamanzi.
Lizzie (played by Petronella Tshuma)
Lizzie is an enigma. She has a chameleon-like personality, but harbours a secret that drives her violent, erratic and dangerously crazy behaviour. She cons her way into the business, becoming the daughter Celia never had, but always there for one plan: revenge.
When she realises Celia's regrets, can Lizzie ever forgive? Or see how similar she and Celia truly are?
Mandla (played by Mutodi Neshehe)
Mandla (40s) is Ndoni's father and Celia's husband. He comes across as a kind and genial man, but this masks his dark and complex inner world. Even though there seems to be nothing hard about this man, he's the hardest of them all. A great father, a great CEO - but a lousy husband- whose primary concern is himself.
Zimba (played by Gabriel Mini)
Zimba is a good man, who met Clementine while working on the border of Swaziland. He fell for her and accepted her two young boys as his own. He's the base that brings her calm, happiness and joy. A truly great husband and man.
Mxolisi (played by Nat Ramabulana)
Mxolisi is Tshepiso's husband. Mxolisi's first marriage was terrible. He was pushed, prodded and forced to become the man he was, and became highly resentful and angry towards his wife. When he met Tshepiso, he saw pure potential, and someone who loved him unreservedly.
Thabiso (played by Kagiso Modupe)
Thabiso Kitana (30s) is a good looking, but rough, ikasi, man who is tough as nails, and bad as they come. He runs an unorthodox rehab program, with a twist. He is often in trouble with the police, and has a casual relationship with the law, but in his heart is a good man, driven by revenge and self-hate.