Season 3
Isithembiso is a South African telenovela created and produced by Bomb as a modern-day reimagining of the classic Little Red Riding Hood fairytale, with characters such as Simi (Red Riding Hood), Banzi (the Big Bad Wolf) and Zamani (the Woodcutter), who becomes the rescuer to the damsel in distress.
The series follows the lives of two young people who come to the City of Gold in search of not just their fortune but familial ties, opportunity and education. It's a millennial migrant story that digs deep into the lives of Mzansi youth today, their ambitions, choices and the consequences.
We meet Simi, the wide-eyed innocent maiden from KwaZulu-Natal. She comes to the dazzling iGoli in search of her mother and job opportunities where her path collides with the resourceful Zamani, whose street smarts and swag belie that he comes from a small village in Limpopo.
Through a series of incidents – from chance meetings to destructive choices – their lives intertwine with Banzi, whose "sheep's clothing" easily deceive the gullible Simi. Whether it's fate or bad luck, this culminates in an explosive climax that has long-lasting and life-changing consequences.
There are promises made and broken - promises of a better life, a brighter future, greater life choices... Ultimately, the idealistic filter through which the young look at life is ripped off to reveal that "all that glitters is not always gold".
Will the sheer determination and tenacity of borne out of youth and hope triumph over obstacles and the hard knocks of life?
Industry newcomers Nandi Mbatha (Simi) and Zamani Mbatha (Zamani) are the two young actors central to this telenovela, joining veterans Hamilton Dlamini (Banzi) and Meshack Mavuso (Kero Kunene), among others.
Main Cast
Nandi Mbatha as Simi
Newcomer Nandi Mbatha portrays tragic rural heroine Simlindile "Simi" Ngema, the teenage damsel in distress with an impetuous streak. Simi's move to Joburg goes pear-shaped from day one, and her fairytale looks set to NOT have a happy ending.
Zamani Mbatha as Zamani
Newcomer Zamani Mbatha plays his namesake Zamani, a young, good-hearted hero with a hunger and desire to be someone of value, who can often be reckless. He is a first-year Mining Engineering student and his heart and good-guy tendencies get him in sticky situations.
Hamilton Dlamini as Banzi
Hamilton Dlamini stars as the manipulative and ruthless Banzi "The Wolf of Braamfontein" Kunene, whose pursuit for power and respect knows no bounds - although his fragile male ego could be his undoing.
Meshack Mavuso as Kero
Meshack Mavuso plays the even-tempered Kero "The Lion of Pimville" Kunene. The polar opposite of his cutthroat brother Banzi, he is a humble father figure to most of the township youth.
Chichi Letswalo as Claudia
Chichi Letswalo plays Claudia Kunene, the wife of Banzi - a bird in a gilded cage who yearns to be free. She regrets leaving the unassuming Kero for the flashier Banzi, and wants her daughter to learn independence instead of relying on a man.
Tshenolo Seabi as Palesa
Tshenolo Seabi plays daddy's little princess, Palesa Kunene. She is spoilt, a bit arrogant and desperate to never disappoint her doting dad.
Lemogang Tsipa as Bambatha
Bambatha is young, arrogant and opinionated. He is what has come to be termed a "Clever Black".
Moneoa Moshesh as Jabulile
Moneoa Moshesh is the fast-talking, street-hustling Jabulile. Temperamental and easily distracted, she is a graduate of the "university of life".
Sboniso Nxumalo as Oscar
Oscar is Zamani's maternal uncle and security guard at Santa Barbara. All he wants is to save enough money to buy a taxi and quit the security job.
Bongani Maseko as Khaludja
Club bouncer Khaludja is a gentle giant with an expressionless face who just wants to provide for his family.
Farieda Metsileng as Kandy
Varsity student Kandy is good-hearted girl, demure and conservative. She is everyone's best friend.
Isithembiso was created by Bomb, with story by Angus Gibson, Kutlwano Ditsele, Phatu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon. The executive producers for Bomb are Teboho Mahlatsi, Desireé Markgraaff and Angus Gibson.
Gibson and Ditsele are producers and directors include John Barker and Emile Smith. The head writer is David Gordon, with storyliners Charleen Ntsane, Daniel Zimbler, Justine Loots and Sayitsheni Mdakhi. The score was written by Philip Miller (with additional music by Mpilo Shabangu) and the title sequence track was written by ATM, Jabulani Sihle Makhubo and Mfanafuthi Ruff Nkosi.
Season 3 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Hamilton Dlamini ... Banzi (as Hamilton Dhlamini)
Sicelo Dlamini ... Diamond
Nandi Mbatha ... Simi
Zamani Mbatha ... Zamani
Mxolisi Masango ... Leo
Bongani Maseko ... Karlujah
Mavuso Magabane ... Kero
Vincent Mahlangu ... Cheezeboi
Londeka Mchunu ... Sne
Kwanele Mthethwa ... Ayanda
Lucky Mqoboli ... Patrick
Winnie Ntshaba ... Lihle
Sboniso Nxumalo ... Oscar
Nandi Nyembe ... Dolly
Zimkhitha Nyoka ... Anathi
Dineo Rabotapi ... Zoleka
Tshenolo Seabi ... Palesa (as Nolo Seabi)
Mandla Shongwe ... Johannes
Mpho Sibeko ... Nhlamulo
Lizwi Vilakazi ... Tiro
Recurring / Guests
Lillian Dube ... Ethel (as Dr Lillian Dube)
Anga Makubalo ... Lucky
Andile Mbatha ... Detective Matla
Thami Mbongo ... Pastor Absalom
Kgaugelo Mosomane ... Dodgy Doctor
Thato Dhladla ... MK (as Thato DH Dhladla)
Samkelisiwe Hlophe ... Chunks
Lebohang Motaung ... Mayor Ramakgopo
Sibusiso Black Madondo ... Abednego
Kabelo Thai ... Sello
Mpho Osei-Tutu ... Mayor Shivambu (as Mpho Osei Tutu)
Farieda Metsileng ... Kandy
Themba Nofemele ... Mdluli
Khaya Mthembu ... Jackson (as Khayalethu Mthembu)
Garion Dowds ... James Jameson
Lorraine Engling ... Mo
Kgotso Mathibela ... Siyanda (as Kgotso Matibela)
Linda Matsolo ... Executive / Mdluli's Wife
Paulinah Mphethahanyi ... Mbali
Ziyanda Xulu ... DJ Ziya
Sipho Feni ... Milners Barman / Thato / Milners Manager / Rex
Sixolile Fundzo ... Prison Warden #01 (as Sixolilie Fundzo)
Oratile Moatshe ... Tshepo
Samuel Nakeng ... Rough Guy #01
Life Mabasa ... Rough Guy #02
Kwezi Ndlovu ... Vivian
Malibongwe Mdwaba ... Lungi
Prosper Chuma ... Indy
Andisiwe Dweba ... Kandy's Doctor
Nduduzo Zuma ... Random Man
Sydney Masina ... Unknown Caller
Liopelo Maphathe ... Kandy's Mom
Sive Matiwane ... Melusi Kamane
Kathleen Andersen ... Psychiatrist (as Kathleen Anderson)
Bohlokwa Mpiti ... Chester
Vinolia Mabele ... Ms Majoro / Zanele
Aubrey Mmakola ... Mr Titus
Simo Magwaza ... Mr Sokhele
Khojane Morai ... Justine
Patrick Ndlovu ... Uncle Koloi
Siphesihle Matiso ... Milners Waitress
Nhlanhla Mtshali ... Detective Maseko
Flow-T ... Flow-T
Mackmillian Leshumo ... Bones Mofokeng (as Mac Leshomo)
Muano Ramakuela ... Guitar Guy
Sandile Mkhize ... Mike (as Sandile Skinnie Mkhize)
Irvine van der Merwe ... Rasputin
Laurence Maduna ... Madoda
Mpho Mashiloane ... Construction Manager
Siyanda Sesimani ... Mike's Friend / Sizwe
Kholeka Qwabe ... Maggie (as Kholeka Dekada)
Xabiso Ngqabe ... Duma
Zesuliwe Hadebe ... Nina
Moses Nkabinde ... Loan Shark / Gatsha
Lutendo Mametsa ... Madoda
Brian Molelekeng ... Bobani
Katlego Bopape ... Customer / Student
Nkululeko Mahlangu ... Mike's Friend (as Nkululeko NK Mahlangu)
Tsakane Maswanganyi ... Cindy
Sbusiso Mpofu ... Whisky Customer
Tonderai Chiyindiko ... Prof Gwala
Thando Zwane ... Mpho
Matthew Monika ... Abedi's Uncle (as Matthew Monica)
Themsie Times ... Thenjiwe (as Thembisa Times)
Shonisani Masutha ... Khensani
Linda Nxumalo ... Asthma Guy
Ziyanda Sibiya ... Exam Official
Mingi Ntshingila ... Woman
Lebohang Rametsi ... Ethel's Doctor
Tumelo Matlala ... Mr Leribe
Gugu Mazibuko ... Member 01
Nonhle Mgwati ... Member 02
Paballo Seletisha ... Girl
Masimbonge Bhloloshe ... Cop
Vania Dhlamini ... Girl 1
Oratilwe Marobela ... Girl 2
Themba Manyoni ... Prison Guard
Sibongile Nojila ... Patrick's Mother
Simphiwe Mdlalose ... Lead Panelist
Percy Mthunzi ... Lebogang
Mnyamezeli Quntana ... Patrick's Doctor (as Myamezela Quntana)
Nkosiphendule Cengani ... Lunga Duma (as Nkosipendule Cengani)
Boitumelo Moalusi ... Patrick's Councillor
Siphelele Mshubi ... Fake Sangoma (as Siphele Msubi)
Raymond Mabaya ... Home Affairs Official
Thina Sontodose ... Miracle Girl
Kabelo Moalusi ... Prof Jele
Katlego Mbonambi ... Thabang
Anelisiwe Dwebe ... Duty Nurse
Tebogo Selebogo ... Ndeleni
Noncedo Maseko ... Nurse Lufuno
T.J. Mokhuane ... Kagiso
Sheila Mokgosi ... Church Lady
Ciabuswa Skosana ... Doctor
Katlego Setlhare ... Girl
Afzal Khan ... Pastor B (as Afzel Khan)
Thabang Majola ... Bewitched Man
Nhlanhla Masiya ... Mr Mahumo
Lebohang Mohafa ... Bewitched Man's Brother
Gugu Gumede ... Board Member 1
Nonhlanhla Hlomuka ... Church Member
Tiisetso Phaweni ... Journalist
TK Sebothoma ... KB
Albert Sepeng ... Homeless Man
Perry Mthembu ... Hijacker
Easymon Nkomo ... Doctor (as Easeymon Nkomo)
Moleko Tlotlo ... Officer
Yolisa Cele ... Mpumi
Ayanda Sibisi ... Zamani's Aunt
Noluthando Meje ... Counsellor
Collen Magongwa ... Dube's Goon
Itumeleng Montsho ... Dube
Sizwe Shawe ... Caller / Broke Customer
Nomalungelo Ncube ... Stranded Student
Patrick Bokaba ... Papi (as Pat "Sanku" Bokaba)
Herald Khumalo ... Guard 1
Mpho Mosoatsi ... Armed Response
Sinethemba Ndwandwe ... Nhlanhla (as Sinethemba Khulubuse Ndwandwe)
Gabriel Mini ... Mr Ndlovu
James Selepe ... Cop
Clement Shimane ... Car Owner
Joe Kazadi ... Nhlanhla's Father / Chris
Buhle Mofokeng ... Doctor
Sikhumbuzo Ngqulunga ... Mechanic
Edwin Seleke ... Warden
Malibongwe Yawu ... Karlujah's Lawyer
Nkosana Samane ... Prison Assassin
Grace Mavuso ... Mrs Magwaza
Siyasanga Papu ... Social Worker
Sindi Majola ... Thuli (as S'thipha!)
Zinzi Nsele ... Sophia
Gerald Mangayane ... Security
Moses Semenya ... Head of Security
Doreen Maronga ... Doctor
Sydney Gwadiso ... Doctor
Taki Phophi ... Psychologist