Join us on set with Giyani as the cast prepare for Season 3.
As we mentioned
here, the Xitsonga telenovela returns to SABC2 on 6 February 2023 with 19 episodes of Season 2, followed by a 105-episode third season and will feature a new family of characters who arrive in the Season 2.
The production's Creative Producer and Story Writer Shitshembiso Mabasa snapped these impressions for us while the show filmed scenes at the Baloyi and Khoza house on location in Gauteng.
Flash fact: The first two seasons were filmed in Gauteng and Giyani, Limpopo, but this season isn't filming in Giyani because of budget contraints.
Move in close as we introduce the new characters through the actors who are portraying them:
Lesley Musina headlines the new cast as Solani Khoza, a successful lawyer who has three children, a pushy sister and a better/worse half. You decide from the pics below.
Interesting to note: Lesley's defeated the Tower of Babel because he speaks eight languages: Xitsonga, Tshivenda, Sepedi, Sesotho, English, Afrikaans, isiZulu and Shona.
See who's moved in next door.
Bokang Phelane, who plays Solani's wife Pele. She's a former promo girl who became a club manager, so she has a bossy streak.
Did you know? Bokang made her TV debut in 2016 in three different roles, all within a month. Between 3 October and 21 October she had guest and recurring roles on Hard Copy, Generations: The Legacy and Tempy Pushas.
Check out her TVSA Actor Profile here:
Bokang Phelane
Now this is Solani's son Dzovo, from a previous relationship. He's portrayed by Zigi Ndlovu who starred as Samora on the SABC1 miner miniseries Emjindini.
Dzovo's going to use that smooth stick to charm Khensani Mudau. He's her new lurve interest and business partner.
Casting change alert!
The role of Khensani will now be played by newcomer Mahlatsi Mokoena instead of Mathabo Mothibe.
Series Producer Morishe Matlejoane tells us the role was re-cast because Mathabo was expecting a baby when filming started on the new season. The show tried to accommodate the storylines to include this but couldn't find a way.
Spoiler alert! Tap the box below if you want to know more about Khensani's storyline. Do not click if you don't want to know.
Khensani will expect a baby in future but this storyline was too far away to tie it up with Mathabo's pregnancy.
Preparing their scene with Zigi and director Pheello J Makosholo are the Khoza family (from left to right):
Nkateko Mabunda, who plays Solani's daughter Mixo,
Nsuku Baloyi portrays Solani's sister Mambeku. She's described as the matriarch of the family *side eye Pele*,
Solani's youngest Zuri, played by Uyanda Sithole.
Comeback cast
On location at the Baloyi house: Wiseman Zitha who returns to star as Musa Baloyi.
Linah "Ebony" Ngcobo reprises her role as Mhani Tsakani, described by the show as a principal cast member.
Noel Ntshuxeko, caught in a moment between filming his scenes as Mahlori Baloyi, while someone eats a rusk.
Also returning as principal cast are:
Rami Chuene as Monoko,
Charles Baloyi as Bra Mike,
Ndivhuho Mutsila as Richard,
Fumani N Shilubana as Vukosi,
Maduvha Madima as Shonisani,
Lesley Khoza as Detective Collen,
Glennis Mabuza as Kokwana and.
Themba Hlongwane as Johnny.
See ya in February 2023.
New episodes will air Mondays to Wednesdays again.