Season 1
Z'bondiwe is a South African television drama series created by Paw Paw Films and set in Soweto, Gauteng, which follows the story of two lovers who are drawn into a dark underworld of gangsterism and have to answer the question of how far one is willing to go for someone close to their heart.
The series offers a glimpse into both the psychological aspects of gangster life and the emotional dynamics of two lovers who have to beat the odds to stay together.
Roxanne (Zola Nombona) is a business school graduate. Her boyfriend Ntando (Anga Makubalo) is a lawyer and when he gets an offer at the biggest law firm in Johannesburg, Roxanne is less than pleased to leave Cape Town for Jozi.
Soon her darkest secret is revealed: her ex-lover is Killer (Mbulelo Grootboom), the leader of the most notorious gang in Jo'burg - The Vutha Boys. Killer is obsessed with Roxanne and kidnaps her as soon as she arrives.
Now, Ntando is forced to join a rival gang, the Mambas, to try and save the love of his life.
Z'bondiwe was created and produced by Paw Paw Films and directed by Mandilakhe Yengo and Greg Heimann. The storyline was by Kaye Ann Williams, Amanda Lane and Tristram Atkins and the script was written by Lane. The executive producer for e.tv was Brian Letlhabane.
Main Cast
Anga Makubalo plays Ntando Mabatha
Ntando Mabatha 25, articulate, well educated, farm boy. He is hard working and very intelligent. When we meet Ntando his life seems charmed. He intends to marry the love of his life, Roxanne and he is embarking on his career as a lawyer.
Their lives seem golden until Roxanne is kidnapped and Ntando finds himself having to fight to rescue Roxanne in the dangerous township of Soweto.
Zola Nombona plays Rozanne Nozulu
Mafungwashe 'Roxanne' Nozulu, 23, is an intelligent, beautiful woman who made a mistake as a teenager that has come back to haunt her. She has been in hiding for the last five years and has even resorted to renaming herself 'Roxanne'. She has to deal with her past in order to move on with her life with Ntando.
Mbulelo Grootboom plays Killer Nxasana
Ntlonipho 'Killer' Nxasana, 33, violent, merciless, Jekyll and Hyde character. Killer Nxasana is finally ruling Soweto and his ambitious plans will enrich him and make him an evil force to contend with, however, the one thing he wants, he cannot have – Roxanne.
When he hears that she is back in town he decides to take what is his.
Bongani Maseko plays Axe Ngcobo
Mbazo 'Axe' Ngcobo, 27, is the impulsive leader of The Mambas gang. The Mambas used to be stronger and more powerful than the Vutha Boys but since Killer Nxasana became their leader, the Mambas started losing business fast.
Their biggest blow came when Killer started his garbage collection business giving them greater access to untouched areas and tripling their profits. Since then Axe has been plotting his revenge against Killer.
Axe wants The Mambas to rule Soweto again and eliminate his competition – Killer Nxasana.
Eve Rasimeni plays Dikeledi
Dikeledi 'Dikki' Bakopa, 18, is a hard, unflinching woman who has had to fight her way through life to survive it. She falls in love with Axe Ngcobo and is fiercely devoted to him.
Dikki is a lioness, a true hunter, unafraid and brutal. She shares Axe's philosophy of violence and enforces it easily when needed.
Mpho Sebeng plays Lebo
Lebo Ngcobo, 17, a troubled, dark young man whose horrific actions leads to his death.Lebo is the younger brother of Axe and Jackson's youngest son. Axe has been parenting Lebo since his father left for KZN.
Axe is not the best role model and has never had firm hand on Lebo who is getting into trouble with the law when we meet him (something Ntando uses to get into Axe's good books. He helps get Lebo out of a juvenile centre and into a rehabilitation programme).
Israel Makoe plays Jakes
Jakes Masilo (30) is Killer's right hand man. He is cold, ruthless and dangerous. Killer relies on him heavily and Jakes is the ultimate professional, always following his boss' orders.
Jakes is in charge of the 'dealers', who are the guys who sell drugs via their legitimate garbage collection service. He recruits and organises them, making sure they don't get hooked on the drugs and that they bring in the entire sum of monies owed. If they dare cross him, they pay with their limbs or their lives.
He is also in charge of the group of three thugs that terrorise the shop keepers so that Killer can then extract protection money to protect the shopkeepers from these thugs.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Anga Makubalo ... Ntando Mabatha
Zola Nombona ... Roxanne Nozulu
Mbulelo Grootboom ... Killer Nxasana
Israel Makoe ... Jakes Masilo
Eve Rasimeni ... Dikeledi Bakopa
Mpho Sebeng ... Lebo Ngcobo
Bongani Maseko ... Axe Ngcobo
Recurring / Guests
Siyabonga Shibe ... Detective Shabangu
Danie Putter ... Hennie Verster
Sibulele Gcilitshana ... Glory
Welile Nzuza ... Sergeant Galane
Merlin Balie ... Ivan the PI
Joe Mafela ... Old Man Piet
Lucky Khoza ... Kwanele (as Laki Khoza)
Henrietta Gryffenberg ... Mrs Verster
Khanya Mkangisa ... Baby
Vuyisile Pandle ... Moeletsi
Peter Mashigo ... Jackson Ngcobo
Maki Mokhitli ... Bukelwa
Kamogelo Bareki ... Fingers (as Bradley Bareki)
Thami Ngoma ... Nomaceba
Phillimon Tjale ... Maps
Mbasa Msongelo ... Paseka
Mkhonzeni Mazibuko ... Sgora
Ntsikelelo Ngcanga ... Blessed
Nthabi Tau ... Ntswaki (later as Ntabi Tau)
Phikolomzi Magongoma ... Grocery Shopkeeper
Bongiwe Lunga ... Domestic Worker
Andile Magxaki ... Lead Interviewer
Mamohato Askew ... Lawyer Intern "Mrs Molope"
Humzugwi Masupa ... Judge in Mock Trial
Matshepo Sekgopi ... eSihle
Patrick Bokaba ... Father Mohau
Nthabi Tau ... Ntswaki (Nthabiseng Mphahlele)
Thabiso Molopo ... Benny
Daniel Mutero ... Vuyane
Dumisani M. Ngubane ... Dakskroef
Thulani Msiza ... Spook
Tumi Mohohlo ... Prince
Thabang Kwebu ... TK
Malebo Rakgogo ... Judith
Babsy Selela ... Tavern Drunkard (as Babsie Selela)
Tiaan Rautenbach ... Bradley Lourens
Elias Melato ... Tavern Drunkard
Aubrey Mmakola ... Lebo's Lawyer
Mpume Mtombeni ... Yandiswa
Mpumelo Modise ... Kid 1
Karabo Magija ... Kid 2
Kgomotso Ratsie ... Zodwa
Mapula Mafole ... Ntombi
Ziyanda Yako ... Gladys
Zithobe Hlongwane ... Max
Mandisa Gama ... Amu
Bongiwe Lunga ... Domestic Worker
Tebogo Sema ... Kenny Mvuvu
Khutso Molonyama ... The Captain
Thokozani Kheswa ... The Heksman
Jeffrey Malema ... Head Cook
Dirk van der Westhuizen ... Cookhouse Gangster
Lebo Oliphant ... Young Drug Courier
Joel Modikwe ... Hond
Justice Pityeng ... Shabba
Vusi Phakatini ... Ninja
Boitumelo Phelepo ... I-Pac
Global Stuntman ... T-Pex
Patrick Bokaba ... Father Mohau
Vincent Nzuza ... Stone
Kgaogelo Monama ... Jasmine
Diphuo Leta ... Dikki's Doctor
Mzwakhe Xanase ... Baholo
Eugene Ngcobo ... ER Doctor
Portia Nhlapo ... Monica
Amogelang Matlholwa ... Rejoice (as Amogelang Mathlaholwa)
Mzi Nongwe ... Jabu
Foxy Riet ... ER Nurse
Kgaogelo Monama ... Jasmine
Eugene Ngcobo ... ER Doctor (as Eugene Ncgobo)