Season 5
Ga Re Dumele is a South African television sitcom created and produced by Martin Koboekae and 24 Hours Productions which revolves around an elderly couple clinging to their last child whilst trying to make their own love grow.
The primary language of the series is Setswana, with English subtitles.
A bickering but deeply committed elderly couple in their late sixties face the bizarre prospect of losing their sixth and last born daughter when she threatens them with the idea of leaving home and getting married.
They reckon that at the age of 28, their daughter is too young and not yet ready to get married, especially when she has never displayed any fondness for cleaning the house or domestic responsibility.
Her dating skills are also questionable as she has never introduced any previous boyfriends to her parents, and is yet to introduce her parents to the suitor who is going to be taking her away... if such a suitor exists.
Ratau (Boikie Pholo), the loud-mouth, fly-topie, retired builder and his wife Josephine (Meme Ditshego), a sarcastic former boarding school matron, although not expressly saying so, silently contrive to stop the marriage and hold onto their daughter.
They claim that it is not out of self-centredness but rather an attempt to protect their inexperienced and habitually careless daughter, Jane (Boitumelo Mothabela in Season 1 and Keitu Kasonkola in Season 2), who can do nothing but read big books, recite big ideas and make little sense to their more traditional mindsets.
Ratau and Josephine's efforts to cling to their daughter always result in bungles as the battle is often waged between the two of them.
Compounding Ratau and Josephine's problems is Tsutsuma (Obed Baloyi), their perpetually broke boarder who rents out their garage to live in and run his shoe repairs business from.
Pastor Moruti Tlhong (Peter Mashigo) and his wife Esther (Mary Makhato) are the town's moral watchdogs, but if it weren't for the Pastor's obsession with fashion trends and the barren Esther's obsession with Jane, you'd never know this.
Cyril, an overly effeminate church choir conductor who has a not-so-secret crush on Jane, rounds off the cast of misfits. Cyril was played by Gideon Lovinga in the first two seasons and the first five episodes of Season 3, replaced by Zenzo Ngqobe from Episode 6 of Season 3. Ngqobe remained in the role for the rest of Season 3 and the whole of Season 4, but Lovinga returned to the role from Season 5.
Ga Re Dumele was originally head written by Martin Koboekae, directed by Josh Rous and executive produced by Luke Rous for Rous House Productions. Koeboekae later executive produced the series with 24 Hours Productions.
Broadcast Notes
Season 5 premiered on SABC2 on Sunday 14 August 2016, airing on Sundays at 19h00. After 13 episodes the season went on hiatus (on 6 November, 2016), resuming with Episode 14 in a new timeslot on Sunday 14 May, 2017, at 20h30.
Season 5 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Boikie Pholo ... Mmusisi Ratau (as Moditle Boikie Pholo)
Meme Ditshego ... Josephine Ratau
Obed Baloyi ... Tsutsuma
Keitu Kasonkola ... Jane Ratau
Rantebeng Makapan ... Gabs
Peter Mashigo ... Pastor Tlhong
Mary Makhatho ... Esther Mamoruti Tlhong
Gideon Lovinga ... Cyril Potgieter
Molefi Monaisa ... Smokey
Recurring / Guests
Thulani Mcunu ... Guest Appearance
Katlego Makgopela ... Fake Sangoma
Allen Cebekhulu ... SABC Reporter
Olebogeng Maphopha ... Tony
Phillip Kgomo ... Dr Mokgosi
Junior Magagane ... Taka
Amos Ketlele ... Guest Appearance (as Amos 'Lollyket' Ketlele)
Khanyisile Vilakazi ... Fini
Nontobeko Mavundla ... Kelagile
Mercy Meruti ... Marcia
Ontiretse Manyetsa ... Mokwatjibi (as Ontiietse Manyetsa)
Junior Abrams ... Lungile
Kea Leburu ... Mmagaula (as Keamogetswe Leburu)
Lucius Mphahlele ... Sgt Ntsane (as Lucious Mphalele)
George Gent ... Mathosa
John Mafoko ... Agent Phokwane
Zinzi Modise ... Mrs Malunga
Sidwell Moema ... Mr Malunga
Dumakude Mnembe ... Pastor Mnembe (as Dumakunde Mnembe)
Cleopatra Mahoa ... Kedibone
Molobane Maja ... Ms. Maleho
Lala Tuku ... Matshele
Themba ka-Nyathi ... Filane (as Themba ka Nyathi)
Sammy Fever ... Moloi
Molebogeng Masisi ... Mamperella
Koketso Pheto ... Tshepo
Lesego Motlana ... Dibaere
Baby Cele ... Apostle Eve
Diana Maseko ... Sebina