Uzalo

{{Infobox television | image = | image_alt = | caption = | alt_name = | genre = Soap opera, Crime Drama | creator = Duma Ndlovu | based_on = | developer =

| writer =

| director =

| creative_director = Mmamitse Thibedi | presenter = | starring = {{Plainlist|

• Masoja Msiza
• Thembi Nyandeni
• [[Fanele Ntuli]
• Sibusiwe Jili
• Linda Majola
• Simphiwe Majozi
• Noxolo Mathula
• Thuthuka Mthembu
• Nkanyiso Makhanya
• Nothando Ngcobo
• Ntombifuthi Dlamini
• Zama Magubane
• Thabo Mnguni
• Sibongiseni Shezi
• Cebo Mthembu
• Bhekisizwe Mahlawa

}} | voices = | narrated = | theme_music_composer = | opentheme = Uzalo | endtheme = Uzalo | composer = | country = South Africa | language = Zulu | num_seasons = 9 | num_episodes = 1 974 (as of 2 March 2023) | list_episodes = | executive_producer = Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube | producer = Mpfariseni King David Mukwevho | editor = Gugu Sibandze (offline editor)

                          Mamba Bhekumuzi Leo (Foreign online editor)

| cinematography = Mike Sono
Howard Nciweni | camera = Multi-cameras | runtime = 23-25 minutes | company = Stained Glass Productions | channel = SABC 1 | network = SABC 1 | first_aired = 9 February 2015 (2015-02-09) | last_aired = present | related = eHostela, Skeem Saam and Durban Gen }} 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.^[1] 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.^[2][3] It is currently the most watched television show in South Africa.^[4][5]

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.^[3][6] 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 and Mazaza. He later married with Lindiwe. He is currently married to Gabisile. He is the king of Ndlendle (Main role: Season 1 - 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. ( Main role. Season 1 - present)

• 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 (Main role: season 8- Present)

• Nomsawazi Magwaza played by Fanele Ntuli. She is Njinji Magwaza's daughter and Sbonelo Mhlongo's new love interest.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.

• Mondli Mdlalose, played by Thembinkosi Thwala. Mondli is the Head police captain and dated Zekhethelo. He is Nosipho and Lilly's ex-boyfriend. (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 wife. She was killed by Qhabanga. She was saved by a girl called Hlelo.She is in a relationship with Nkunzi. She is married to Nkunzi. (Main role. Season 3 - present)

• 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. (Recurring role. Season 5; Main role. Season 6 - present)

• Sbusiso (Sbu) played by Simphiwe Majozi is an ex con. He is dating Fikile. He works for Nkunzi and MaNgcobo, and later Sibonelo. (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. ( Main role. Season 6 - present)

• Mr Mbatha,played by William Mnguni. He is 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 is ex-husband. (Main role. Season 1 - present)

Main Cast

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

Ratings

Series 1 (2015)

Series 1

No. overall	Episode	Directed by	Written by	Original air 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 air 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[7]
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.[7]

Accolades

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

References

External links

• Uzalo at IMDb