Season 1
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.
Broadcast Notes
Season 1 originally aired on e.tv on weekdays at 20h00. It moved to weekdays at 18h30 from Monday 4 September, 2017, beginning with Episode 106.
Season 1 originally aired on eExtra on weekdays at 10h30. It moved to weekdays at 18h00 when the show was moved from e.tv to eExtra in January 2018, beginning with Episode 201 on Monday 15th.
The series was discontinued as a daily soap on e.tv three months before the due end of the run, moving to eExtra exclusively. The last episode to air on e.tv was Season 1, Episode 200, on Friday 12 January, 2018; although the channel continued to broadcast a weekly omnibus on Saturdays at 11h20.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Thembi Mtshali-Jones ... Gertrude
Sello Sebotsane ... Ace
Nomsa Nene ... Lydia
Shaleen Surtie-Richards ... Charmaine
Jo-anne Reyneke ... Thandi
Enhle Mbali Maphumulo ... Azania
Thapelo Mokoena ... Uhuru
Nambitha Ben-Mazwi ... Lulama
Emmanuel Castis ... Chris
Mandla Gaduka ... Damian
Lehasa Moloi ... Lebo
Recurring / Guests
Neels Clasen ... Jacques September
Leti Ndubane ... Xolile
Omuhle Gela ... Mbali Ndlovu
Sam Medupe ... Warder
Jerome Galiao ... Ezra Rehlabo
Joe Kazadi ... Simao
Zama Batyi ... Head Board Member
Phakamani Zikalala ... Minister / Priest / Pastor Dube
Hlogi Dolo ... Weave Woman
Graham Lucas ... Chairman
Jessie Palmer ... Anele Majola
Mutodi Neshehe ... Rendi
Tumi Nhlapo ... Mpho
Lesego Pooe ... Ntombi
Luyanda Gosa ... Young Uhuru
Lerato Morabe ... Young Thandi
Wilson Shaddai ... Wiseman / Militia
Lehlohonolo Makoko ... Tumo
Ameera Patel ... Navashnee
Byron Thanarayen ... Pravesh (as Byron Thanaraven)
Thato Malia ... Delivery Guy
Ashvini Pillay ... Nazli
Martin Thanjekwayo ... Homeless Man / Josiah
Mayuri Naidu ... Prasad
Andrew Stock ... Mr V Diamond Dealer
Peter Terry ... Harold
Simphiwe Singeni ... Doctor
Stephen Delport ... Prasad's Assistant
Ayanda Bandla ... Lerato Motha
Llewellyn Steenkamp ... Jacob
Lunga Mnisi ... Sticks
Nkululeko Tshirumbula ... Andani
Kamo Modisakeng ... Bakang (as Kamogelo Modisakeng)
Lucius Patrick Kgatle ... Doctor
Mmathapelo Buthelezi ... Nurse
Lwazi Mthembu ... Mayibuye (as Lwazi Mtembu)
Anton Dekker ... Kobus
Rethabile Lekaba ... Little Boy
Hastings Muravha ... Venda Pastor (as Hastings Christopher Maravha)
Simon Magabe ... Tswana Pastor
Siphiwe Mbonambi ... Mrs Moagi (as Siphiwe Mbonami)
Dennis Madibo ... Mr Moagi
Susan Matumba ... Mrs Radali
Asanda Maku ... Didi
Lucky Nombula ... Razor
Thabo Mothwanama ... Charlie
Frans Maree ... Drug Dealer
Faith Mangope ... TV Host
Batsile Ramasodi ... Bongo
Thono Modipa ... Policeman
Siziphiwe Keke ... Buhle
Tumelo Malefu ... Samantha
Sipho Manzini ... Mr Zondo
Meme Ditshego ... Dr Machaka
Rick Alan ... Doctor
Troy Zuma ... Jerry
Tshepo Seagiso ... Interviewer
Tshego Rathebe ... Woman
Azande Ndlovu ... Young Azania
Oupa Malatjie ... Samoele
Tshegofatso Seakgoe ... Zimkhitha
Daniel Hadebe ... Masai
Khutjo Green ... Mampho
Clementine Mosimane ... Keketso
Austin Shandu ... Tshepo
Malebo Rakgogo ... Nurse
Matli Mohapeloa ... Tshiamo
Debra Deats ... Irene
Penuel Mlotshwa ... Caiphus
Mantombi Thebe ... Young Lydia
Khumo Ntseke ... Young Uhuru
Kananelo Ngoma ... Young Thandi
David Lees-Rolfe ... Policeman
Magic Hlatshwayo ... Kgosi
Esmeralda Bihl ... Simoné
Danny Ross ... Brandon
Seputla Sebogodi ... Shona
Mariska Jacobs ... Journalist
Nunu Khumalo ... Zandile
Buyile Mdladla ... Mandla
Briony Horwitz ... Yuna
Sarah Kozlowski ... Isabella (as Sarah Kozlowsky)
Paballo Dinku ... Lesego
Winnie Ntshaba ... Funeka
Sam Phillips ... Thabang
Siphiwe Nkosi ... Mr Mditshwa
Pheello Kotelo ... Thabo
Khayakazi Kula ... Bonnie
Sisanda Dubula ... Oratile
Ntando ... Performer
Siyabonga Mzolo ... Banele
Londeka Mlaba ... Zamo
Ntombi Gumede ... Namhla
Pumla Ndlazi ... Marang
Felicity Shange ... Gogo Zulu
Ilse Klink ... Suzanne
Zakeeya Patel ... Priyanka
Cynthia Bila ... Mrs Mohale
Tshepo Maseko ... T-Boz
Jarred Uys ... Lebo's Car Buyer
Mothusi Magano ... Kornas
Werner Botes ... Michael Prinsloo
Japan Mthembu ... Vusumuzi
Samuel Phatedi ... Mojalefa
Thokozani Ngema ... Generaal (as Thokozani 'Tkay' Ngema)
Tsholo Maseko ... Nosizwe (as Tsholofelo Maseko)
Zigi Ndlhovu ... Mr Radebe
Linda Mbatha ... Sihle
Godfrey Ndlovu ... Rudabele
Zizi Peteni ... Angus
Paulet Mashaya ... Young Lulu
Dirk Jonker ... Private Investigator
Nicole Bessick ... Chloe
Brenda Ntanza ... News Reporter
Romandie Schnepel ... Manageress (as Romandi Schnepel)
Zukhanye Geza ... Physiotherapist
Nico Mkhabele ... Café Owner
Maria Selepe ... Nkhono
Tarajika ... Live Performance
Bekezela ... Live Performance
Simphiwe Ngema ... Dudu
Anga Makubalo ... Chulu
Nico Mkhabele ... Café Owner
Roleen Viljoen ... Eva Jennings
Duncan Johnson ... Maila
Rajesh Gopie ... Don
Nhlanhla John Lata ... Sammy Sabelo (as John Lata)
Siyabonga Sepotokele ... Thapelo (as Siya Sepotokele)
Tonderai Chiyindiko ... Sponsor
Nombulelo Moiloa ... Journalist
Munetsi George Bizzah ... Priest
Xabiso Madini ... Sbu
Moses Rasekele ... Dr Mkhize (as Moses Diseyi Rasekele)
Zenobia Badroodien ... Sheryl
Rantebeng Makapan ... Sisanda
Mike Mvelase ... Mlungisi
Deli Malinga ... Sangoma (as Delisile Malinga)
Sego Kekana ... Traditional Consultant
Sizwe Zuma ... Themba
Phumlani Mbonane ... Jakalaas
Sibusiso Madondo ... Young Mlungisi
Andre Stolz ... Os du Preez
Rea Mabusela ... Kabisani
Nomsa Sonqishe ... Mrs Malinga
Keneilwe Matidze ... Lyndsay Bahlele
David Poolo ... Sizwe
Gladys Tshabalala ... Moswane Aunt