Season 1
The Road is a South African telenovela produced by Bomb which revolves around a television producer who buys the rights to a book of memoirs written by a man who lived in Sophiatown in the 1950s and makes a successful television series out of it.
Set against the backdrop of iconic Sophiatown, the endearing love story starts with a journey that is intertwined with the dramatic threads of history - a thrilling world of music, danger, politics and romance. It is the exploration of a love affair written from the memories of an old man and narrated in the modern day.
The Road sees the beautiful singer Stella and talented writer Themba as star-crossed lovers longing to be together - but only destiny will tell if they end up in each other's arms.
Their story and the one-sided romance between them is told against bubbling tensions, a mysterious murder and unresolved passions.
A heavyweight TV producer eager to tell and capture the touching story takes on the challenge, leading to spell bounding actions he couldn't have predicted.
The main storyline centres round producer Zwelakhe Masondo (Luthuli Dlamini) who buys the rights to a book written by an old man called Themba Mashinini (Darlington Michaels), who wrote his memoirs about his life in Sophiatown in the 1950s.
The book has become a huge hit so Zwelakhe snaps up the rights to it and starts making a series from it called Kofifi, making it a TV-show-in-a-TV show. The series follows the behind-the-scenes action of making Kofifi, as well what happens in Kofifi to blend the past and present.
As all of the action unfolds - and while the crew make Kofifi - something happens on set. A murder. People start dying. The series is also a murder mystery that unfolds over the 208 episodes and the murderer is only revealed in the final episode.
Some of the actors play two characters as a result: their characters in the real world, who are actors on the TV show, and the Sophiatown characters that they play in the TV show.
Both series are filmed at dedicated studios in Jeppestown in downtown Johannesburg.
The Road is a Bomb Production and was created by Catherine Stewart from a concept by Angus Gibson. It is executive produced by Gibson, Desiree Markgraaf and Teboho Mahlatsi and the pilot episode was directed by John Barker. The head writer is Stewart and storyliners include Justine Loots, Gillian Breslin, Minky Schlesinger and Andy Petersen.
The title sequence music is by Kabelo Mabalane and Andrew Baird, whilst Philip Miller composed the score, with additional music by Siya Makuzeni.
Harlem High Hats Band
Singers
Mluleki Chuma
Bubele Mgele
Happy Motha
Bonginkosi Motha
Back Up Vocalists
Siya Makuzeni
Thandi Khoza
Kevin Maduna
Nozuko Mapoma
Lundo Mlonyeni
Guitar
Zelizwe Mthembu
Billy Monama
Piano
Mokoke Seritsane
Thandi Ntuli
Bass
Sibusiso Chiloane
Thembinkosi Mavimbela
Trombone
Ayanda Zalekile
Alex Hitzeroth
Drums
Godfrey Mgcina
Joshua Maluleka
Trumpet
David Moagi
Sibusiso Mkhize
Saxophone
Tebogo Smith
Broadcast Notes
The episode order was originally 208, but this was reduced to 124 when the show was cancelled early.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Neo Ntlatleng ... Mothusi / Themba
Sthembiso Khoza ... Bandile / Styles
Gail Mabalane ... Kedibone "Kedi" Seakgoe / Stella Phiri
Nandi Mngoma ... Zokuthula "Zoe" Dhlomo
Abdul Khoza ... Bheki Buthelezi
Luthuli Dlamini ... Zwelakhe Masondo
Sthandiwe Kgoroge ... Xolile Masondo
Themba Ndaba ... Silas Mhlaba Ziqubu
Solomon Sebothoma ... Zakes Cele
Blessing Xaba ... Monty Masondo
Clementine Mosimane ... Cynthia Zwane / Sis Vicky
Trevor Gumbi ... Ramolao "Spaceman" Khoza
Luzuko Nkqeto ... Bra Sol / Big V
Kabelo Mabalane ... Bogart
Moneoa Moshesh-Sowazi ... Ntsiki / Dodo
Darlington Michaels ... Themba Mashinini Senior
Recurring / Guests
Bongani Maseko ... Goni
Tsholofelo Maseko ... Liyana Zwane
Innocent Masuku ... Desmond
Bonginkosi Shibe ... Ace
Lizwi Vilakazi ... Kortes
Junior Singo ... Crew
Nandi Nyembe ... Gogo
Anthony Bishop ... De Kock
Kabelo Thai ... Pule
Karabo Magongwa ... Ntombi as Nomsa
Busi Mtshali ... Patricia (as Busisiwe Mtshali)
Winnie Ntshaba ... Neli
Lerato Mvelase ... Salome Ndaba
Andrew Stock ... Lawyer
Richard Lukunku ... Fickson (as Richard Lekunku)
Mpho Joseph Molepo ... Kingdom (as Mpho Molepo)
Buyile Mdladla ... Eugene (as Buyile Mdlala)
Austin Shandu ... New York Number 2
Thuli Thabethe ... Vero
Simo Magwaza ... Bangiswe
Thembisa Mdoda ... Thabisile Cebekhulu
Jacques Bessenger ... Philanthropist
Jason Greer ... Smythe / JJ Jackson
Chris van Rensburg ... Industrialist
Aubrey Moalusi ... Russian Leader
Patrick Ndlovu ... Old Man Tickieboy
Siyabonga Hlophe ... Soccer Boy (as Siyabonga Hlope)
Emmanuel Gweva ... Tikkieboy (as Emanuel Gweva)
Thulasizwe Kubheka ... Senzo
Mashala Letsoalo ... Nathi
Michael Mabizela ... Gerald / Nox
Thandi Makhubele ... Sis Aggy
Kamogelo Modisakeng ... Fifi
Muzi KaChibi Mthabela ... The Mayor
Sechaba Rampele ... Sizwe Jele (also credited as Sechaba Ramphele)
Mluleki Chuma ... Harlem High Hats - Singer
Bubele Mgele ... Harlem High Hats - Singer
Happy Motha ... Harlem High Hats - Singer
Bonginkosi Motha ... Harlem High Hats - Singer
Siya Makuzeni ... Back Up Vocalist
Thandi Khoza ... Back Up Vocalist
Kevin Maduna ... Back Up Vocalist
Nozuko Mapoma ... Back Up Vocalist
Lundo Mlonyeni ... Back Up Vocalist
Zelizwe Mthembu ... Guitar
Billy Monama ... Guitar
Mokoke Seritsane ... Piano
Thandi Ntuli ... Piano
Sibusiso Chiloane ... Bass
Thembinkosi Mavimbela ... Bass
Ayanda Zalekile ... Trombone
Alex Hitzeroth ... Trombone
Godfrey Mgcina ... Drums
Joshua Maluleka ... Drums
David Moagi ... Trumpet
Sibusiso Mkhize ... Trumpet
Tebogo Smith ... Saxophone
Sisonke Xonti ... Johnny Likely
Joseph Komani ... Upset Man
Tshepo Seagiso ... Man with Upset Man's Friend / Upset Man
Dirk van der Westhuizen ... Crew
Mike Seyalagula ... Crew
Claudine Marshall ... Crew
Bafana Nkabinde ... Crew
Wandile Dube ... Crew
Duvan Klopper ... Crew
David Lamprecht ... Crew
Robyn Sauls ... Crew
Tebogo Mphela ... Crew
Mzwandile Mothapo ... Crew
Frans Molepo ... Crew
Lizo Yako ... Crew
Edward Mukando ... Crew
Tebogo Magwala ... Crew
Maxwell Mabota ... Crew
Babalwa Bam ... Office Staff
Palesa Mantai ... Office Staff
Bianca Meyer ... Office Staff
Mbulelo Hlazo ... Office Staff
Banele Dlamini ... Office Staff
Yvonne Lehodi ... Office Staff
Antonio Botha ... Office Staff
Lwanele Nyathi ... Office Staff
Samkelisiwe Hlope ... Queen
Bawinile Ntshaba ... Neli
Bongeka Cele ... The Last Train
Talitha Leibrandt ... Mattress Woman
Andre Lotter ... Hook Up Man
Thenjiwe Moseley ... Doris
Phemelo Phiri ... Godfrey
Keabetswe Tsotetsi ... Vusi
Siphiwe Radebe ... Victor
Keabetswe Mashugane ... Grace
Mmane Geelbooi Motaung ... Thomas
Zingisa Nogcazi ... Policeman
Clement Shimane ... Jonas (also credited as Clementine Shimane)
Amanda Makade ... Journalist 2
Reine Swart ... Journalist 1
Musa Radebe ... Potato Woman
Daren Stilwell ... General Dealer
Xolani Sibisi ... Passerby
Thembelani Monaino ... Passerby
Michael Mgiba ... Orlando Thug
Robert Nkosi ... Orlando Thug
Modiegi Mulaudzi ... Nolo
Macford Nsibande ... Minister
Ntokozo Soldaat ... Young Boxer 1
Siyabulela Deli ... Young Boxer 2
Isaac Hlatshwayo ... Champion Boxer
Mmane Geelbooi Motaung ... Thomas
Ayanda Daweti ... Young Boxer
Samkelisiwe Hlophe ... Queen (as Samkeliswe Hlope)
Keletso Letsoalo ... Teenager
Bhekumuzi Mkhwanazi ... Bastard (as Bhekumuzi Mkwanazi)
Nokulunga Msomi ... Siya
Hugo Badenhorst ... Crew
Paballo Dinku ... Drunk Lonely Woman
Sicelo Dlamini ... New York Handsome
Gregory Myburgh ... Kind Driver
Jean Pierre du Plessis ... Tristan
Menzi Biyela ... Joe as New York Joe
Amy Lee Hendricks ... Rosy
Karabo Hlatswayo ... Bathulile
Judy Mabota ... Office Staff
Njabulo Mkhize ... Office Staff
Vumani Mntambo ... Rufus / German Gang 2
Sibusiso Shandu ... New York Number 2
Dumisani Zondo ... Walker / German Gang 1
Jan Bergman ... Referee
Paul Kamanga ... Dlamini the Tank
Owami Masehela ... Victor
Sipho Mashego ... Ring Announcer
Vumani Mntambo ... Rufus
Nonhlanhla Nene ... Cleaning Lady
Gift Motaung ... Drunken Man / John
Thabo Mabhane ... Fickson's Man
Lehlohonolo Sereba ... Fickson's Man
Winnie Dlamini ... Church Woman
Nonhlanhla Nene ... Church Woman
Bhuti Molele ... Random Guy
Tebogo Selebogo ... Scara
Dan Sitoeo ... Sangoma (also credited as Dan Sitoe)
Siyabonga Mbuyazi ... Tsotsi 1
Tshepiso Matlala ... Tsotsi 2
Maria Selepe ... Fake Old Stella
Brian Tshikila ... Fernando
Vukani Mathukhi ... Key Grip 2nd Unit
Phindile Mlambo ... Madame / Siyasanga
Vuyo Ngcukana ... Mak
Christian Schoombie ... Tony
Thembisile Khubeka ... Tryphina
Thato Kholokoane ... Renata
Tiisetso Motaung ... Gina
Ntombikayise Msimango ... Thandi
Stacey Alexandra ... Thabisile's Assistant
Katlego Madisha ... Bully
Siphiwe Sengeni ... Constable Selamolela
Bongiwe Manqina ... Ace's Mother
Percy Pitso ... Papparazzo
David Xamangela ... Fernando
Thuli Zulu ... Old Lady
Vusimusi Simelane ... Prison Guard (also credited as Vusimuzi Simelane)
Tsholo Phiri ... Rennie
Bonginkosi Mthobeni ... Samuel
Thanda Magubane ... Chella
Mmabatho Moepwa ... Maria
Phakamani Zikalala ... Creepy Man (as Phakamani Zikala)
Thabo Lesebe ... Young Boy
Laikin Govender ... Kingdom's Secretary
Thato Magogodi ... Bra Khwembu
Daren Stillwell ... Shopkeeper (as Daren Stillwel)
Galaletsang Koffman ... Lefentse
Klaas Modise ... Russian Boxer
John Nhlongo ... Kingdom's Henchman
Giliam Winckler ... Smythe
Mmane Motaung ... Thomas
Marvin Thanjekwayo ... Sangoma
Simphiwe Nkosi ... Sangoma
Sindiswa Magidla ... Reporter 1 (as Sindisiwa Magidla)
Tumi Ntsewa ... Reporter 2
Honest Thwala ... Opposing Boxer
Eddie Modika ... Bodyguard
Gabriel Ozoko ... Morpheus
Mpumi Mpama ... Walter
Mamello Mohlamme ... Pregnant Woman
Hastings Muravha ... Salome's Doctor (as Hastings Muravhva)
Sibiya Dlamini ... Taxi Driver
Duduzile Tshabalala ... Kind Woman
Khaya Kula ... Salome's Nurse
Rick Alan ... Film Producer
Sipho Manzini ... Luthuli Relative
George Rapula ... Luthuli Relative
Meyers Williams ... Luthuli Relative
Bongi Khuzwayo ... Luthuli Relative
Dan Lukhele ... Nyembe Relative
Nomvuyo Shabangu ... Young Female Relative
Nomthetho Mahlangu ... Young Female Relative
Thabiso Shibu ... Young Boy 1
Thabang Shibu ... Young Boy 2
Peter Vincent ... Swanepoel
CJ Herbst ... Security Guard 1
Leon Wigdorowitz ... Security Guard 2
Botlhale Baitiwe ... Nurse
Rael Birns ... Gogo's Doctor
Motsi Tekateka ... Gogo
Faith Maholo ... Kingdom's Secretary
Mandla Shongwe ... Police Commissioner