Season 1
Abomama is a South African television drama series which follows the fortunes of four church women who are sucked into the criminal underworld when they are forced to turn their stokvel into a money-laundering scheme.
The series tackles the extraordinary lives of ordinary women, when a group of religious women take it upon themselves to turn tragedy into a blessing.
Troublemaker Thabang (Kgosi Mongake) is arrested for petty crimes again, but before being carted off to jail he tells his long-suffering sister Mapule (Nokuthula Ledwaba) that he has stashed R2-million away - and says he wants her to have it.
However, as it turns out he double-crossed none other than the local butcher, Bonanza (Kenneth Nkosi), who also goes by the name "The Heist King".
Seeking the advice of those she trusts, Mapule takes the news to her prayer group, who also happen to be stokvel ladies. Soon the pastor's wife Fumane (Joyce Skefu) comes up with a plan to use the ill-gotten gains for the good of the community, using the stokvel.
Fumane is a respected and loved figure in the community, and the changes she makes using the money see her become of real service to the church and community.
She also uses her actions as a way to escape her controlling husband the pastor (Don Mlangeni Nawa), who is more concerned about his church and image than his wife.
However, money and power can corrupt, and Fumane slowly finds herself being drawn into temptations she should probably rather avoid. The question becomes: will this archangel of Soweto stay true to what she stands for?
Also part of the prayer group is Dora (newcomer Unati Guma) and Tshidi (Khanyi Mbau). Dora is a former alcoholic with a problematic spending impulse and is everyone's favourite person at church but hides a dark secret - as does Tshidi, who is an approval-seeking former ghetto queen-turned-suburban wife who's married to a reputable doctor (Leroy Gopal).
Other cast members include Masechaba Moshoeshoe-Mtolo as Raki, Sekoati Tsubane as Khoroane, Gabriel Mini as Borisi and Jerry Phele as Jonas.
Shot on location in Soweto and Ferndale, Abomama is created and produced by Parental Advisory Productions, based on an original concept by Zaba Leroto Hlatshwayo. The executive producers are Thomas Gumede, Lungile Radu and Siyabonga Ngwekazi. Khomotso Kekana is a producer.
The directors are Thomas Gumede, John Barker and Zaba Leroto Hlatshwayo. The writing team includes Hlatshwayo, Chisanga Kabinga, Salah Sabiti, Tshego Monaisa and Chris Radebe, with head writer Mpolokeng Bogatsu. The music score is by Zethu Mashika.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Nokuthula Ledwaba ... Mapule
Joyce Skefu ... Fumane
Khanyi Mbau ... Tshidi
Unati Guma ... Dora
Recurring / Guests
Kgosi Mongake ... Thabang (as Kgosi Mangake)
Don Mlangeni Nawa ... Mfundisi
Kenneth Nkosi ... Bonanza
Senzo Radebe ... Ghoroa (as Senzokuhle Radebe)
Masechaba Moshoeshoe ... Raki (as Masechaba Mtolo)
Sekoati Tsubane ... Khoroane
Mpho Sibeko ... Mancane
Gabriel Mini ... Borisi
Leroy Gopal ... Dr Oke
Karabo Magongwa ... Tjontjo
Pretty Ncayiyane ... Lumka (as Nozuko Ncayiyane)
Rosemary da Costa ... Sheila
Ipelegeng Mahlangu ... Mayo
Refentse Khoza ... Mora
Simphiwe Tsele ... Hotel Manager / Shopkeeper
Zoe Telela ... Young Customer
Imibongo Nkolisa ... Baby
Luyanda Maxoki ... Baby Daddy
Tshidi Maotwe ... Matilda
Sandile Mnikathi ... Funeral Parlour Rep (as Sandile Mnkathi)
Thabani Gigaba ... Police Officer
Anele Dlamini ... Butcher Worker / Nyaope Boy
Peter Clark ... Bank Manager
Nokuthula Sithole ... Bank Extra
Luncedo Buqa ... Bank Extra
Bongani Khoza ... Bank Extra
Bonginkosi Khoza ... Bank Extra (as Bongnkosi Khoza)
Jaun Filmalter ... Bank Extra
Siyolise Yuthela ... Bank Extra
Karabo Mphela ... Bank Extra
Tebogo Nkganyamane ... Bank Extra
Frank Mapheto ... Bank Extra
Thando Skhosana ... Bank Extra
Thamsanqa Dladla ... Bank Extra
Zodwa Shabangu ... Bank Extra
Ntando Zonke ... Bank Extra
Duma Malatsi ... Bank Extra
Sivuyile Titi ... Bank Extra
Sphiwe Mahlangu Dladla ... Bank Extra
Thina Mejeni ... Bank Extra
Sbusiso Mabaso Nhlanhla ... Bank Extra
Siyabulela Mehlo ... Bank Extra
Sandiso Yoko ... Bank Extra
Goodboy Mngqibisa ... Bank Extra
Katlego Molefe ... Bank Extra
Percy Monyela ... Bank Extra
Romeo Komako ... Children's Haven Worker
Moses Phungwayo ... Children's Haven Worker
Charles Chingubo ... Children's Haven Worker
Bonolo Mothako ... Children's Haven Worker
Nare Ramahuta ... Paramedic
Jerry Shika ... Paramedic
Monde Baloyi ... Crowd
Sekiwe Mazomba ... Crowd
Msizi Shongwe ... Crowd
Lebohang Rantemane ... Crowd
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo ... Crowd
Mavis Skhosana ... Crowd
Nonhlanhla Mabizela ... Crowd / Church Congregation
Thapelo Mohule ... Crowd
Busisiwe Dlamini ... Crowd
Fikile Dlamini ... Crowd
Happy Madela ... Crowd / Church Congregation
Tshidi Sethaba ... Crowd
Marrian Mhishi ... Crowd
Lindiwe Ngubeni ... Church Woman
Mamusa Matolo ... Church Woman
Thembekile Ndikadika ... Church Woman
Keamogetswe Maimane ... Church Congregation
Sifiso Zitha ... Church Congregation
Mildred Mpuru ... Church Congregation
Kutlwano Motlhamme ... Church Congregation
Reagile Phiri ... Church Congregation
Mmamello Nkatlo ... Church Congregation
Siya Nyangiwe ... Church Congregation
Thabo Mokwena ... Church Congregation
Sibusiso Mtshali ... Church Congregation
Siyanda Dubazane ... Church Congregation
Ntsako Manganyi ... Church Congregation
Thapelo Mahube ... Church Congregation
Phathiswa Jolwana ... Church Congregation
Precious Dhlamini ... Church Congregation
Palesa Manyamalala ... Church Congregation
Ayanda Sibanyoni ... Church Congregation
Wendy Ramanyai ... Church Congregation
Ntombizodwa Mpungose ... Church Congregation
Gugu Mpungose ... Church Congregation
Thato Kudumela ... Church Congregation
Ntombikayise Zwane ... Church Congregation
Itulemeng Bila ... Church Congregation
Bonolo Motlhako ... Church Congregation
Nkosinathi Maseko ... Church Congregation
Patricia Madela ... Church Congregation
Sisanda Ntsontso ... Church Congregation
Thamsanqa Nkomo ... Church Congregation
Julia Machethe ... Church Congregation
Mamello Makhanya ... Church Congregation
Vuyiswa Tshabalala ... Church Congregation
Tshidi Setlhabi ... Church Congregation
Zanele Leburu ... Church Congregation
Mcebisi Maselana ... Church Congregation
Iris Matolo ... Church Congregation
Mongezi Mathunjwa ... Church Congregation
Petunia Nyangwa ... Church Congregation
Thabisa Seketwayo ... Church Congregation
Nomawethu Tom ... Church Congregation
Innocentia Nombulelo ... Church Congregation
Thandi Hlomendlini ... Church Congregation
Pertunia Kekana ... Church Congregation
Thenjiwe Nopanjwa ... Church Congregation
Morema Tladi ... Church Congregation
Ouma Lisotlela ... Church Congregation
Omogolo Onkaetse ... Church Congregation
Lungiswa Mqabuli ... Church Congregation
Khutjo Kekana ... Church Congregation
Phelokazi Jona ... Church Congregation
Thandazile Nkosi ... Church Congregation
Thandiwe Dintwe ... Church Congregation
Cikizwa Madubela ... Church Congregation
Msizi Shongwe ... Church Congregation
Thandeka Hlatshwayo ... Church Congregation
Olwethu Dlembule ... Church Congregation
Ntokozo Nkosi ... Church Congregation
Patriot Sidloyi ... Church Congregation
Zanele Maseko ... Church Congregation
Mthandeni Sokha ... Church Congregation
Cynthia Masina ... Church Congregation
Bulelwa Thwala ... Church Congregation
Gabriella Modjadji ... Hotel Admin
Marothi Modiba ... Mr Fakude
Banele Nkosi ... Boy
Anele Rantsatsi ... Boy
Thabani Gigaba ... Police Officer
Musa Nyathi ... Delivery Guy
Thapelo Matsikoe ... Delivery Guy
Busi Matolo ... Church Woman / Congregation
Bubele Mgele ... Church Woman / Congregation
Nobina Nyangwa ... Church Woman / Congregation
Brian Ndebele ... Prisoner
Basheer Mathala ... Prisoner
Malungelo Kamango ... Prisoner
Nasiphi Zibaya ... Nyaope Boy
Tshepo Masela ... Nyaope Boy
Pule Mqhedlane ... Henchman
Thando Mpanza ... Henchman
Daniel Machava ... Repo Man
David Ndou ... Businessman
Anele Dlamini ... Butcher Worker
Tshepo Masela ... Butcher Worker
Sipho Dhladhla ... Butcher Worker
Bonolo Motlahako ... Butcher Worker
Thato Kudumela ... Butcher Worker
Tumelo Mpanza ... Police Officer
Bruno Majola ... Police Officer
Percy Thulo ... Bhuti Percy
Thembi Ndikandika ... Prayer Woman
David Thulwane ... Henchman
Kagiso Diseko ... Bullet (as Kagiso 'Gwyza' Diseko)
Cooper Masondo ... Delivery Guy
Bonolo Motlhako ... Packer Boy
Thato Kudumela ... Packer Boy
Busisiwe Matolo ... Church Elder
Emmanuel Mokgadi ... Church Elder
Mnyamezeli Conjwa ... Church Elder
Bubele Mgele ... Church Elder
Sifiso Zitha ... Industrial Cleaner
Sibusiso Mtshali ... Industrial Cleaner
Lebogang Mojaki ... Customer
Uyapha Tsheko ... Customer
Pule Mqhedlane ... Henchman