Durban Gen is a South African telenovela which follows newly-qualified doctor Mbali Mthethwa who moves to the big city to serve her final year of community service at Durban General Hospital.
The story of Durban Gen is set in the heart of Newlands East, a township in Durban, where the most prominent and recognisable academic public hospital Durban General is found.
Durban Gen is a highly acclaimed hospital - the jewel of KwaZulu-Natal healthcare. It is a centre of excellence where every doctor wants to practice and every patient wants to be treated.
Mbali Mthethwa is a newly-qualified doctor who moves away from her fiancé and the small town they grew up in to complete her final year of community service at the hospital.
However, she finds herself torn between two men: her fiancé Sibusiso Dlamini and her superior Dr. Lindelani Zulu, a brilliant, attractive surgeon with whom she has undeniable chemistry.
On arrival at Durban General Hospital, Mbali assists in a precarious surgery that goes horribly wrong, resulting in the death of an MEC.
The incident plummets the hospital, Mbali and Dr. Zulu into the middle of an investigation that threatens to derail her career before it has even begun.
Meanwhile, her proximity to Dr. Zulu, the resulting intimacy and their palpable chemistry threaten to break everything Mbali has built back home with Sibusiso.
Durban Gen follows the trials, tribulations, triumphs, betrayals and bonds experienced by Mbali, the staff of Durban General, and the patients who come through its doors looking for help, refuge and health.
The role of Mbali is played by Nelisiwe Sibiya. Her character's fiancé, Sibusiso, is played by Ntando Mncube and the love triangle is completed by Mike Ndlangamandla, who plays the dashing Dr. Lindelani Zulu.
Mavuso Magabane stars as Dr. Thabo Dlamini, Durban General's head of Surgery; and the superintendent, Dr. Nomalanga Qwabe, is played by Duduzile Ngcobo.
Other cast members include Mxolisi "Zuluboy" Majozi, playing fun and enthusiastic paramedic MacGyver; and Bhekisizwe Mahlawe as the confident and charismatic male nurse, Calvin Gumede.
Lihle Dhlomo plays Dr. Precious Dlamini, an obstetrician-gynaecologist married to Head of Surgery and womaniser Dr. Thabo Dlamini.
The eager interns, played by Fanele Zulu (Dr. Mnqobi Mchunu), Fanele Ntuli (Dr. Thandekile Zondo) and Lerato Nxumalo (Dr. Zinhle Luthuli), will showcase what it takes to save lives in a high-stakes environment.
Portraying the hospital's no-nonsense Head Matron, Sister Nobuhle, is Zimiphi Biyela. The busybody nurses are Tsidi Makitle as Phumeza and Nombulelo Mhlongo as Sne.
Rounding off the cast are Thuli M. Zulu as receptionist MaCele and Sifiso Sibiya as paramedic Bab'Gumede.
Durban Gen is an e.tv Production, produced by Stained Glass TV with executive producers Gugu Zuma-Ncube, Pepsi Pokane, Mmamitse Thibedi and Theogaren Moodley. The series producer is Mariki van der Walt.
The head writer is Thuli Zuma, with a writing team including Mmamitse Thibedi and Kagiso Mogale. Directors include Zuko Nodada, Zimkhitha Maseko and Mthunzi Dubazana.