# Uzalo

Uzalo is a South African soap opera produced by Stained Glass Productions, which is co-owned by Kobedi "Pepsi" Pokane and Gugu Zuma-Ncube. It began airing in 2015, quickly becoming a hit due to its compelling narrative, writing, direction and the performances of the relatively-unknown cast. It initially told the story of two young men who were switched at birth, one being raised in a family with core Christian values and the other at a crime syndicate. It currently broadcasts from Monday to Friday on SABC 1. It is currently the most watched television show in South Africa.

## Plot

Uzalo initially told the story of two families in the township of Kwa-Mashu: the Mdletshe family, who play a significant role in the management of the Kwamashu Kingdom Church, and the Xulu family who run a car theft syndicate. The connection between the families was that their eldest sons were switched at birth during the period when Nelson Mandela was released from prison. As the show has progressed over the years, the storylines have dramatically changed with interchanging characters, contributing to many new story arcs, but simultaneously maintaining the growth of some of its main and supporting characters.

## Cast and characters

* Nkunzebomvu (Nkunzi) Mhlongo, played by Masoja Msiza. He is the ex-husband of Innocentia, MaMlambo, Mazaza, Lindiwe and Gabisile. He is the father of Sambulo Gwala and Sbonelo 'Babongile' Mhlongo(previously Zikhali). Stepfather of Zekhethelo. He is the king of Ndlendle (Main role: Season 3 - present)
* Hlengiwe (MaMlambo) Mlambo played by Gugulethu Gumede KaMagwaza. She befriends MaNzuza and MaNcgobo and was married to Nkunzebomvu Mhlongo. She also had a relationship with Thobile's uncle Mbhekiseni but later dumped him after he was arrested for raping Thobile and various younger women. She had affairs with Melusi, Qhabanga and Nkunzi. She came back as a Sangoma.She is Co-Founder of KwaMashu Football Club alongside Njinji ( Main role. Season 1 - season 10)
* Njinji Magwaza played by Thembi Nyandeni. She is wolf in sheep's clothing who act as a moral support for the youth and community of KwaMashu .She is Nkunzi's rival and her daughter Nomsawazi took After her as she also deals with hijacking cars and running of illegal businesses. She is mother of Nomsawazi and Vikizitha's aunt.She is the Founder of KwaMashu Football Club alongside MaMlambo. (Main role: season 8- Present)
* Nomsawazi Magwaza played by Fanele Ntuli. She is Njinji Magwaza's daughter and Sbonelo Mhlongo's ex girlfriend.She was killed by her mother in season 8 but resurfaced 8 days after her death and turned on her mother and stayed with Sbonelo Mhlongo in the Mhlongo mansion in KwaMashu.She is pregnant with Sibonelo's child.
* Mondli Mdlalose, played by Thembinkosi Thwala. Mondli is the Head police captain and dated Zekhethelo. He is Nosipho and Lilly's ex-boyfriend.He had a baby with Nosipho but the child died.He is The Punisher who beats up criminals at night.He is Sbongiseni's father with his previous wife.He is also Hlengiseni's grandfather (his s on Sbongiseni and Hlelolwenkosi's son) (Main role. Season 1 - present)
* Gabisile Mdletshe - Mhlongo, played by Baby Maloka. She is the sister of the Pastor Melusi and Zandile's sister in law. She is the aunt of Mxolisi, Nkosinathi and Mumsy. She is a landlady of a house she owns. Mother of Sbonelo. She is Qhabanga Khumalo's ex wife. She was killed by Qhabanga. She was saved by a girl called Hlelo.She is also Nkunzi's ex wife.She left Kwa-Mashu after Sibonelo died. (Main role. Season 3 - season 9)
* Nonkanyiso "Nonka" Xaba, played by Thuthuka Mthembu. She works in the salon and is a good friend of Hleziphi and Fikile and is the ex-wife to Sibonelo. She is Njeza and Mbuso's sister and Lilly's cousin. She is MaDongwe's niece.She opened her own business. (Recurring role. Season 5; Main role. Season 6 - present)
* Sbusiso (Sbu) played by Simphiwe Majozi is an ex con. He is Fikile's Ex boyfriend. He worked for Nkunzi and MaNgcobo, and later Sibonelo.He finds a job at a Supermarket and also joins Shamanism.Later he resigns to work in the temple.He dated Hlelo but broke up with her after he found out that Hlelo was sleeping with Teenagers.He also found out that the Shamanism was a scam and then he started work in Nonka's business. (Recurring role. Season 1; Main role. Season 2 - Present)
* Njeza, played by Nkanyiso Makhanya. He is an ex con and is the older brother of Nonka and Mbuso. He is Lilly's cousin and MaDongwe's nephew. He worked at Khathaza's funeral home. He had a brief relationship with Zekhethelo and was in love with Nosipho, then Nonka's friend Hleziphi.He owns a car fixing business named Loxion Bling ( Main role. Season 6 - present)
* Khethukuthula Mbatha, played by William Mnguni. He was a part of the board at KwaMashu Kingdom Church. He is formerly the pastor of KwaMashu Kingdom Church and was engaged to Fihliwe. He is also MaMadongwe's ex-husband.He is currently known as Shaman and he cons people. (Main role. Season 1 - season 10)
* Khalabemgeza Nyawo, played by Cebo Mthembu.He is a corrupt detective who works at KwaMashu Police Station.He is known for accepting bribes of criminals, cracking jokes and speaking bombastic words.(Recurring role. Season 5-6)(Main role. Season 7-present)
* Geja, played by Mnqobi Kunene.is the leader of Amabutho eNdlende and a beacon of loyalty and ambition. With an unwavering dedication to uplifting his community and family, Geja emerges as a champion of eNdlende, setting the stage for a riveting clash of ideologies . (Main role. Season 10)
* Hawu, played by Bandile Maphalala .He is a formidable stick fighting champion, known for his strength and courage. Always armed an ready for any challenge .(Main role.Season 10)
* Sgidi, played by Vusi Mdiniso, is the eldest of Izinsizwa, driven by a quest to restore his family’s lost livestock and achieve autonomy. His unwavering focus on money and cattle leads him to quickly embrace the allure of material wealth upon his arrival in KwaMashu. (Main role. Season 10)
* Phefeni, played by Lungani Mabaso, is a quintessential problem child constantly craving attention and notorious for stirring up trouble. The move to KwaMashu triggers a transformative journey of discovery. (Main role. Season 10)
* Nokuthula, played by Faith Mgobhozi, is a virtuous leader of the maidens in eNdlende who strives to instill values of self-respect and love in her community. Turns out she is the apple of not one but two hopeful eyes. (Season 10)
* Linda Sibiya, playing himself, an undisputed legend of radio, joins K-Mash FM amidst turbulent times, determined to revive the station and reclaim its former glory. As a seasoned broadcaster, he takes the helm of the breakfast show, captivating listeners with his topics and charismatic presence. (Season 10)
* Evangelist Sakhile Sibiya, played by Ntando Mncube, is a man dedicated to his calling and is led by an unwavering commitment to ministering to people in need of Sakhile’s arrival in KwaMashu coincides with a critical moment, as he becomes the beacon of hope casting out evil and inequities. He wholly embodies the savior the community has been awaiting. (Season 10)

## Cast As Per Title Sequence

* GUGU GUMEDE
* FANELE NTULI
* THEMBI NYANDENI
* SIMPHIWE MAJOZI
* NOTHANDO NGCOBO
* THEMBINKOSI MTHEMBU
* THABO MNGUNI
* NTOMBIFUTHI DLAMINI
* ZAMA MAGUBANE-NGCOBO
* NOXOLO MATHULA
* THUTHUKA MTHEMBU
* NKANYISO MAKHANYA
* MNQOBI KUNENE
* MASOJA MSIZA

## Main Cast

| Actor | Character | Seasons | Seasons | Seasons | Seasons | Seasons | Seasons | Seasons | Seasons | Seasons |
| Actor | Character | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Masoja "Solle" Msiza | Nkunzebombu Mhlongo | Does not appear | Does not appear | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Thembi Nyandeni | Njinji Magwaza | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Main | Main | Main |
| Fanele Ntuli | Nomaswazi Magwaza | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Main | Main | Main |
| Gugu Gumede | Hlengiwe Mlambo | Recurring | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Noxolo Mathula | Lillian Lilly Dongwe | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Recurring | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Thuthuka Mthembu | Nonkanyiso Xaba | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Recurring | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Simphiwe Majozi | Sbusiso Makathini | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Recurring | Recurring | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Nkanyiso Makhanya | Nkululeko Njeza Xaba | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Zama Magubane-Ngcobo | MaDongwe | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Recurring | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Ntombifuthi Dlamini | Mam Madlala | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Recurring | Recurring | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Thabo Mnguni | Khethukuthula Pope Mbatha | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Recurring | Recurring | Main | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Cebo Mthembu | Detective Nyawo | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Recurring | Recurring | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Linda Majola | Mzamo | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Recurring | Recurring |

## Ratings

| Series | Episodes | Episodes | Originally released | Originally released | Ave. RSA viewers (millions) |
| Series | Episodes | Episodes | First released | Last released | Ave. RSA viewers (millions) |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 February 2015 (2015-02-09) | 13 March 2015 (2015-03-13) | 5.4 |
| 2 | 1 (+1) | 1 (+1) | 24 September 2018 (Historic Episode) 24 September 2018 (2018-09-24) | 25 September 2018 (2018-09-25) | 10.25 |

### Series 1 (2015)

Series 1 :
| No. overall | Episode | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | RSA viewers (millions) 10 |
| 1 | Premier Episode | Alex Yazbek | Story by : Phathutshedzo Aldrean Makwarela Teleplay by : Precious Sithole | 9 February 2015 (2015-02-09) | 5.4 |
| The story kicked off with a teaser set on 9 February 1990 where two boys were switched at birth, and so was their legacy and destiny. The story picked up 20 years later after the two boys were switched at birth, and the storyline for the entire season followed the family whose wealth was built in the murky criminal underworld, as well as the more wholesome Mdletshe family whose day to day life, is pretty much centred around the KwaMashu Kingdom Church. ||||||

### Series 4 (2018)

| No. overall | Episode | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | SA viewers (millions) |
| Two Part Wedding Special ||||||
| 167 | Wedding Special | Luthando Mgomezulu & Mqondisi 'MQ' Ngubane | Story by : Bongi Ndaba Teleplay by : Clive Madiya | 24 September 2018 (2018-09-24) | Undefined |
| MaMlambo has a nightmare. Nkunzi says his vows to MaMlambo. MaNgcobo stops the wedding. ||||||
| Historic Episode ||||||
| 168 | Wedding Special Part 2 | Luthando Mgomezulu & Mqondisi 'MQ' Ngubane | Bongi Ndaba | 25 September 2018 (2018-09-25) | 10.25 |
| This record-breaking wedding episode was aired on 25 September 2018, and it was preceded by a gripping cliff-hanger on 24 September 2018. In the episode that aired on 25 September 2018, the saying: "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned" was proven to be true. The gun-wielding 'woman scorned' character MaNgcobo, played by Dawn Thandeka King, stormed the wedding of her common-law husband, Nkunzi (Masoja Msiza) and her love rival MaMlambo (Gugu Gumede) with a gun, coercing him to make a choice on who he will marry between her and her former best friend-turned love rival, MaMlambo. Nkunzi made a decision to marry both women, MaNgcobo and MaMlambo, thus entering into a polygamous marriage. This episode was the first in the South African television history to surpass the 10 million ratings mark. ||||||

## Accolades

| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2015 | Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards | Best Newcomer | Khumbulani 'Kay' Sibiya | Won |
| 2015 | Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards | Best Actor | Mpumelelo Bhulose | Won |
| 2015 | Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards | Best Actress | Sihle Ndaba | Won |
| 2015 | Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Don Mlangeni Nawa | Won |
| 2015 | Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards | Best Soapie | Uzalo | Nominated |
| 2016 | The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards | Coolest Soapie | Uzalo | Won |
| 2016 | Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards | Best Actress | Sihle Ndaba | Won |
| 2017 | Dstv Mzansi Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actor | Ntokozo 'TKDee' Dlamini | Nominated |
| 2017 | Dstv Mzansi Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress | Dawn Thandeka King | Nominated |
| 2017 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Achievement in Scriptwriting | Uzalo Writing Team; Head Writer Phathutshedzo Makwarela | Nominated |
| 2018 | Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards | Best Supporting TV Actress | Nokuthula Mabika | Won |
| 2018 | Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards | Best Actress | Baby Cele | Won |
| 2018 | Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Simphiwe Majozi | Won |
| 2018 | The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards 2018 | Coolest TV soapie | Uzalo | Won |
| 2018 | South African Film and Television Awards | Most Popular Soapie | Uzalo | Won |
| 2018 | Dstv Mzansi Magic Viewer Choice Awards | Best Actor | Masoja Msiza | Nominated |
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best TV Soap | Uzalo | Won |
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Actress | Dawn Thandeka King | Nominated |
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Khaya Dladla | Nominated |
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Achievement in Editing - TV Soap | Nhlanhla Mngandi | Nominated |
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Achievement in Sound - TV Soap | Timotheus Du Preez | Nominated |
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Achievement in Wardrobe - TV Soap | Nokubonga Ngobeni | Won |
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Achievement in Make-up and Hair - TV Soap | Stella Johnson | Won |
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Most Popular TV Soap/Telenovela | Uzalo | Nominated |
| 2020 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Actress in a TV Soap | Baby Cele Maloka | Nominated |
| 2020 | South African Film and Television Awards | Popular Soapie/Telenovela | Uzalo | Nominated |
| 2020 | Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards | Favourite Actress | Dawn Thandeka King | Nominated |
| 2020 | Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards | Favourite Actor | Masoja Msiza | Nominated |
| 2020 | Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards | Favourite Rising Star | Wiseman Mncube | Nominated |
| 2020 | The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards 2020 | Coolest Soapie | Uzalo | Won |
| 2020 | Royalty Soapie Awards | Most Popular Soapie | Uzalo | Nominated |
| 2020 | Royalty Soapie Awards | Best Actress | Dawn Thandeka King | Won |
| 2020 | Royalty Soapie Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Simphiwe Majozi | Nominated |