Season 1
Nikiwe is a South African soap opera which revolves around the Radebe family, a powerful clan whose wealth and influence is threatened from within their own ranks.
Imagine inheriting all the wealth in the world, having power and influence in the palm of your hands, only to have it all stripped away from you by your own family.
This is a tale of what it means to be "hood rich" as we follow the rise and fall of the Radebe family empire based in the surrounds of Diepkloof Extension, Pimville and Orlando, Soweto.
The clan is headed by Themba "Bhungane" Radebe (played by Muzi Mthabela), a headstrong businessman who is gunning to be the biggest entrepreneur in Soweto.
Themba is married to Mirriam Radebe (Zandi Nhlapo) and they have three children: Nikiwe, Menzi and Mandisa.
Nikiwe Radebe (Lungelo Mpangase) is the firstborn and heir to the family empire; a socialite at heart, with pure intentions.
But Nikiwe loses it all after a tragic incident strikes the Radebe home.
Menzi Radebe (Craig Nobela) is Nikiwe's brother and Mandisa (Slindokuhle Tshabalala) is the youngest sibling in the family.
MaSibisi (Clementine Mosimane) is Themba's mother, whose story begins when she gets released from prison with her friend Mimmie Cooper (Lorcia Cooper).
We soon learn that MaSibisi served 15 years to take the rap for a crime that her son committed.
Other characters include Uncle Skeitla (Kenneth Nkosi), Mirriam's brother and Nikiwe's uncle. Based in Orlando, he's a hustler at heart.
Dimakatso Sikhosana (Liopelo Maphathe) is Uncle Skeitla's wife - always loving, caring and supportive.
Warona Sikhosana (Lehlohonolo Moloi) is Skeitla and Dimakatso's only daughter and their pride and joy.
Mazibuko (Israel Matseke Zulu) is a ruthless tenderpreneur and Bhungane's biggest competition.
Lulu Ngebulana (Soso Rungqu) is Bhungane's ex-wife and mother to his first-born son, whom no one knew about.
Ntsika Ngebulana (Akhona Ndlovu) is Lulu and Bhungane's son, and he wants his stake in the family riches.
Rounding out the cast is MaDlamini (Neo Iman Mothae), Bhungane's sangoma and secret lover.
Nikiwe is based on a story concept by Thomas Gumede and is produced by Parental Advisory Productions.
The series is executive produced by Thomas Gumede and Lungile Radu; the series producer is Analine Pringle.
The head writer is Siphosethu Tshapu, with a writing team including Nontuthuzwelo Magoxo, Ntando Mhlongo, Busisiwe Zwane, Kirsten Adams, Tsale Makam, Julian Koboekae, Nombulelo Mcwerah, Zintle Bobi, Awelani Makhuvha, Donald Ndlovu, Sibusiso Kumalo, Sibusiso Malaza and Londiwe Kubeka.
The director is Thomas Gumede.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Lungelo Mpangase ... Nikiwe Radebe
Clementine Mosimane ... MaSibisi
Kenneth Nkosi ... Uncle Skeitla
Hamilton Dlamini ... Mdlalose (as Hamilton Dhlamini)
Craig Nobela ... Menzi Radebe
Recurring / Guests
DJ NeaZy ... DJ Neazy
Sylvester Nqubelani ... Dr Gumede (as Dylvester Nqubelana)
John Masethe ... Doctor
Nompumelelo Nzimande ... Announcer
Themba Zulu ... Gunman 1
Tshepiso Mnguni ... Gunman 2
Akhona Ndlovu ... Ntsika
Tshepo Bugzito Seagiso ... Julius
Makoto Phumodi ... Brenda
Neo Mekgwe ... Thando
Slindokuhle Tshabalala ... Mandisa
Liopelo Maphathe ... Dimakatso
Muzi Mthabela ... Bhungane
Zandi Nhlapo ... Miriam (as Zandisile Nhlapo)
Lorcia Cooper ... Cooper (as Lorcia Cooper Kumalo)
Soso Rungqu ... Lulu
Mpho Molepo ... Khulubuse
Israel Matseke Zulu ... Mazibuko
Mpho Sibeko ... Largest
Khojane Morai ... Selector
Neo Iman Mothae ... MaDlamini
Khanya Dube ... Moose
Lehlohonolo Moloi ... Warona Sikhosana
Adrian Steyn ... Detective Erasmus
Nompumelelo Udezuruigbo ... Radebe Auntie
Tumelo Mazibuko ... Mazibuko Bodyguard
Sinokuhle Ngubeni ... Zinhle
Lesedi Nkomonde ... Hot Girl
Siphiwe Radebe ... Special
Farah Tlhoaele ... Radebe Accountant
Ayanda Mtombeni ... Female Metro Officer
Ayanda Nzimande ... Bonnie
Simphiwe Mkhize ... Creepy Man
Kgomotso Tsotetsi ... Mrs Sithole
Zanele Mdluli ... Mumsy
Thabiso Rasenyale ... Carpenter (as Thabiso Rasenyule)
Lihle Maretela ... Pinky
Daniel Masetla ... Mbazo
Sefako Xaba ... Uniformed Policeman
Sakhumzi Siwundla ... Thug 1
Shudufhadzo Mathagwa ... Nozi
Frieda Makoba ... MEC Tshidi Dube
Amos Ketlele ... Ace
Bibi ... Newsreader
Absalom Ratsoku ... Delivery Guy
Dimakaco Dipico ... Sexy Woman #1
Vusi Thanda ... Bhodlinja
Veronica Matlaila ... Nobarbedwire
Zimasa Nonqane ... Dambisa
Hlonela Mtoba ... Male Nurse
Nkosinathi Shinci ... Ingcibi
Thato Mdakane ... Razor
Thulani Mtsweni ... Pastor Nkonde
Queen Madubaya ... Mrs Sosiba
Amukelani Ndleve ... Mr Sosiba
Mbalenhle Zakwe ... Ntombi
Thomas Schaffner ... Lecturer
Duduzile Ngcobo ... MaMkhulu
Bheki Mkhwane ... Mhlaba
Ntokozo Valashiya ... Phara 1
Benjamin Mathebula ... Phara 2
Nomvuselelo Sibiya ... Phara Lady
Jerome du Plooy ... Jerome
Ralesela Retlotlo ... Panyaza
Mayuri Naidu ... Mrs Govender
Masikelo Mile ... Dipuo
Mondli Makhoba ... Bheki
Zinzi Nsele ... Doctor
Mihlali Ntanjana ... Nurse
Ernest Mofana ... Ernest
Shaun the Stylist ... Shaun
Kgabo Moloto ... Stylist Assistant
Taki Rikotso ... Photographer
Charity NO SURNAME ... Nurse
Lutendo Fhedzisani ... Dr Mnguni
NO ACTOR NAME ... Dr Nkosi
Charles Phasha ... Baba Humphrey / Baba Joseph
Mashabela Galane ... Guest Artist
Phumzile Kubheka ... Gobela Dons'intambo
Mzwandile Buthelezi ... KZN Taxi Man
Alethea Volanie ... Miss Adams
Sithembiso Nkosi ... Mrs Mhlongo
Aya Msani ... Muntuza
Clayton Boyd ... Dr Pearce
Mondli Nkomo ... Ketango
Alomnia Selepe ... Mpume
Lindiwe Mabaso ... Deco Lady
Cynthia Khathi ... Nosy Rural
Mmabatho Moreki ... Lawyer
Thandekile Kubheka ... MaMbuli
Buselaphi Gxowa ... Mama Happy (as Dr Buselaphi Gxowa)
Vusimuzi Mbhele ... Drunkard 1
Mxolisi Magaduleko ... Drunkard 2
Zonke Mchunu ... Detective Maake
Tshenolo Mongale ... Student 1
Thembinkosi Sibanda ... Mazibuko Bodyguard
Phakamani Mbuyazi ... Mechanic
Gugu Mazibuko ... Gogo Landlord
Viwe Venkile ... Nurse
Khanyisile Mlotshwa ... Female Teacher
Patrick Khumalo ... Uncle
Albert Kiviet ... Mdlalose Snr
Themba Mputla ... Skroef
Bongani Mbatha ... Uncle Dlamini
Bhekabantu Sikhonde ... Uncle 2
Oratile Vilakazi ... Thapelo
Keletso Mbokazi ... Linda (as Keletso Mbokasi)
Bogadi Tsholonyane ... Client
Simphiwe Faku ... Reporter
Thabiso Rasenyale ... Pedestrian
Praise Siziba ... Inmate 1
Sibongile Phakathi ... Mrs Hlengwa
Jabulani Hadebe ... Artist (as Sjava)
Dimpho Mokgotho ... YFM Announcer
Yandiswa Hlam ... Thozi
Anita Mkhize ... Zama
Gugu Koba ... Waitress
Junior Kgatitswe ... Bra Skroef
Mapostola Kgatitswe ... Delivery 1
Telang Ramosehlane ... Delivery 2
Masikelelo Mile ... Dipuo
Patricia Khubeka ... Worker
Linda Mbese ... Molekane
Zweli Sibande ... Security Guard
Sydney Buthelezi ... Ancestor 1
Nomkhuzi Ntombela ... Ancestor 2
Sandiswa Ndwe ... Advocate Philiso
Zinhle Mtshali ... Policewoman
Ernest Mofana ... Ernest
Lungisa Memeza ... Delivery Man
Thulisile Mdunge ... Pinky
Matseliso Mohale ... Wendy
Thuli Zulu ... Nonhlanhla
Tshidiso Maotwe ... Ex-Lover's Wife / Ma'Nthati
Ntombifuthi Maselane ... Girl 1
Yolanda Gumede ... Girl 2
Isaac Hlatshwayo ... Radebe Guard
Lebo Mukwevho ... Radebe Driver
Nobuhle Nukeri ... Journalist
Sizakele Ntshangase ... Student 1
Bonolo Leagile ... Woman 1
Vinolia Dlamini ... Woman 2
Nyameka Sunduka ... Random Woman
Donald Langa ... Waiter
Michelle Lyle ... Sasha
Jacob Molefi ... Mr Sibiya
Lulama Hlela ... Gogo Moira
Sambulo Nkwanyana ... Uncle 2
Nhlanhla Nxumalo ... Uncle 3
Zumekile Sithebe ... Administrator
Bhekithemba Lefa ... Messenger / Radebe Uncle 1 (as Beketemba Leta)
Cingani Pambele ... Radebe Uncle 2
Boitumelo Nchabeng ... Designer
Wydith Phiri ... Sally
Lungisa Memeza ... Delivery Man
Elgerome Sompane ... DJ Linx
Simphiwe Nyathi ... Baby Simangaliso
Katlego Adams ... Friend 1
Buhlebenkosi Mlilo ... Friend 2
Emmanuel Rakgoale ... Friend 3
Masego Mahemo ... Friend 4
Thulisile Makhanya ... Nurse
Phakamani Zikalala ... Doctor Gcabashe
Mzwandile Hlomikhani ... Security Guard
Selby Hiliza ... Tender Boss
George Makgalemele ... Goon 1
Daniel Sekwathi ... Goon 2
Paki Moleko ... Goon 3
Mlondi Mtolo ... Security Guard
Sizwe Mkhize ... Waiter
Faith Masinya ... Nail Lady
Thato Bereng ... Nurse 2
Nelson Ntombela ... Sam
Siyabonga Ngcobo ... Security Guard 2
Fikelephi Maphumulo ... MaNgobese
Mohau Nqenqa ... Child
Denny Dube ... Mazibuko's Bodyguard / Goon 3
Siyabonga Thethwayo ... Goon / Mazibuko Bodyguard
Nicole Zitha ... Accountant
Nobuhle Nureki ... Journalist 1
Mafanele Maluleka ... Journalist 2
Thembinkosi Sibande ... Goon 1
Antonio Dube ... Goon 2
George Makgalemele ... Goon 1
Daniel Sekwathi ... Goon 2
Paki Moleko ... Goon 3
Kenosi Lonkie Kgosiang ... Voice Over Artist (voice)