Gomora (TV series)

Last updated
Gomora
Genre
Created by
  • Gwydion Beynon
  • Phathutshedzo Makwarela
  • Kutlwano Ditsele
  • Amanda Lane
Written by
  • Gwydion Beynon
  • Phathutshedzo Makwarela
  • Chris Q Radebe
Starring
ComposerZethu Mashika
Country of origin South Africa
Original languages
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes910
Production
Executive producers
  • Kutlwano Ditsele
  • Thabang Moleya
  • Leanne Kumalo
Producers
  • Lulu Hela
  • Kutlwano Ditsele
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companySeriti Films
Original release
Network Mzansi Magic
Release30 March 2020 (2020-03-30) –
20 October 2023 (2023-10-20)
Related
Isithembiso

Gomora was a South African television drama series produced by Seriti Films. The series was filmed in the Alexandra township, hence the name of the series. Gomora was a story about inequality,crime,murder and how one's betrayal can cause a change of lifestyle to another. It is an M-Net original production commissioned for M-Net's local interest channel Mzansi Magic. [1] The drama series replaced Isthembiso, which had not been renewed for a fourth season. [2] The series told story of two families living different lifestyles and how crime changed ones lifestyle. [3]

Contents

Gomora season 4 ended on the 20th of October 2023 and was replaced by Rhythm World's new telenovela My Brother's Keeper starring Zola Nombona, Wiseman Mncube, Sdumo Mtshali, Lindani Nkosi, Sparky Xulu, Vuyiseka Cawe and Raphael Griffith.

Plot

The series tells the story of two families, one of a man who has made his riches and success by illegal means from a bank he owns, the other of a man well-respected in the community who struggles to make ends meet. Their two worlds collide in a botched hijacking attempt which sets their lives into a serious downward spiral. [4] [5]

The series explores the themes of social economic issues, the disparity between the lower and upper-class members of South African society, the contrast between them being brought to life through particularly innovative filming styles.

Main cast

ActorsCharactersSeasons
1234
Thembi Seete Gladys Dlamini Main
Sannah Mchunu Zodwa Zondo Recurring Main
Senzo Radebe Zibuko MoabiDoes not appear Main
Sicelo Buthelezi Sbusiso"Teddy"Zondo Main
Siyasanga Papu Pretty Molefe - Madida Main
Lerato Mokoka Tshiamo Madida Recurring Main
Nandipha Khubone Sibongile ButheleziDoes not appear Main
Ntandazo Mndayi Stompie Recurring Main
Fezile Makhanya Nkosinathi CeleDoes not appear Main
Gaosi Raditholo Mmamoleko (MK)Does not appear Main
Ayanda Daweti SizweDoes not appear Recurring Main
Khaya Mthembu Sbonga Madida Recurring
Leera Mthethwa Jackie Hlungwane Recurring
Thulani Mtshweni Bongani Recurring
Lebohang Mphahlele Detective Nabe Recurring
Moshe Ndiki Mr. Andile FakuDoes not appear Recurring
Sizwe Khubeka TumeloDoes not appear Recurring
Velile Makhoba Gugu NdabaDoes not appear Recurring Main Guest

Former Cast

ActorRoleNotes
Connie Chiume Mam' Sonto Molefe(main role; season 1 - 4)
Katlego Danke Onthatile Molefe-Ndaba(main role; Season 1 - 3, recurring role; season 4)
Zolisa Xaluva Melusi Dlamini(main role; Season 1 - 2
Siya Xaba Langa Ndaba(main role; Season 1, recurring role; season 2)
Ama Qamata Buhle Ndaba(main role; Season 1 - 2, guest role; Season 3)
Themba Ndaba Mbongeni Ndaba(recurring role; Season 1)
Siyabonga Zubane S'dumo(recurring role; Season 1 - 3)
Robert Mpisi London(recurring role; season 1 - 2)
Buyile Mdladla Phumlani Ndaba(main role; season 2)
Israel Makoe Don Buthelezi(main role; season 2)
Velile Makhoba Gugu Ndaba(recurring role; season 2, main role; season 3, guest role; season 4)
Siphesihle Ndaba Zanele "MaZet" Thwala(main role; season 1 - 3)
Jessica Sithole Nolo Makinta(recurring role; season 3)
Sihle Ndaba Miss Manzi(recurring role; season 1)

Current Opening theme

As Shown on Opening themeSeason 4

Previous Opening Theme

Cast shown on previous seasons

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Cast

The cast consists of a number of veterans in the South African acting industry, with a few new additions. [6]

Mbongeni's trophy wife and Melusi's high school sweetheart. She has managed to escape her lowly, humble township roots and was living the highlife as a socialite in Sandton. She was married to CEO and major shareholder of CBS Bank, Mbongeni Ndaba (Themba Ndaba), who is found guilty of fraud. His death in a botched hijacking attempt brings her back into the Kasi lifestyle. She has a child called Phodiso. She left Gomora to ensure that her baby is safe after MaZet attempted to murder her daughter to spite Sonto. She went to jail for killing MaZet out of anger (main role; season 1 - 3)

She is Thathi and Preety's mother. She is the puppet master in the township who orchestrated the hijacking which ultimately led to her son-in-law 's death. She is the matriarch of the Molefe family. She is the most feared woman in Alexandra. She was shot - dead by Zibuko (main role; season 1 - 4)

A street-smart and tough social worker who believes in uplifting the community. She mediates the conflict between father and son in their home. Gladys feels insecure about Melusi and Thathi's relationship because Thathi is Melusi's high school sweetheart. She dirvoced Melusi. She is in a relationship with Nkosinathi. (Main role: season 1 - present)

The son of Melusi and Gladys who seeks affection from his father Melusi, to no avail. Thus he joins a band of criminals and is involved in the botched hijacking, being responsible for pulling the trigger. His mood and habit changes, which becomes noticeable to his parents. He was in an unstable relationship with Buhle and Zanele (MaZet) .(Main role: season 1 - 3)

Buhle was Thathi's spoilt daughter. She finds herself in the township on account of his father's missing payments on school fees and life insurance. She was previously in an unstable relationship with Ntokozo. Buhle has since left the show, saying she had to study with her best friend in Durban. She came back for Langa's funeral. She was killed by Qhoqhoqho at the taxi rank in season 3. (Main role: season 1 - 2; guest role: season 3)

Langa was Thathi and Melusi's son. The first born of the family who also turns out to be Principal Dlamini's son. Langa is the more level-headed child between him and Buhle. He was friends with Teddy and Ntokozo. He was killed by Gladys in a fire at Mam'Sonto's tavern. (Main role: season 1, recurring role: season 2)

Teddy is a teenager who has been adopted by Gladys and Melusi due to the fact that his mother (Zodwa) drinks a lot. Teddy was born with fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes him to be a slow learner. Teddy is friends with Ntokozo and Langa. As the show goes on,it shows that male rape exists as Teddy is raped by Gladys' friend Ms Manzi (a young and attractive teacher) and he undergoes severe psychological and social problems while dealing with it. He is currently dating Tshiamo. (Main role: season 1 - present)

Thathi's younger sister. She carries resentment towards her as she has been in her sister's shadow all her life. As the show progresses, Thati and Pretty are shown to have a better sibling relationship. Pretty is mother to Tshiamo and is Sbonga’s wife.(Main role: season 1 - present)

A female expert on hijacking cars trained by Mam'Sonto. She has lured Ntokozo into a life of crime and has a history with Ntokozo's dad. She is in a relationship with Zibuko, which led her to trying to kill Thathi's son to spite Mam'Sonto for killing her mother Lulama. She was killed by Thathi in the season 3's 259th episode. (Main role: season 1 - 3)

She is the daughter of Pretty Molefe and Sbonga Madida who is also the son in-law of Mam' Sonto. Tshiamo had a difficult relationship with Langa and Buhle in the beginning, but they have all grown closer with Tshiamo being very close to Langa. She is currently in a relationship with Teddy. (recurring role: season 1, main role: season 2 - present)

Zodwa is a recovering alcoholic and is Teddy’s mother. She was best friends with Gladys in High School. Due to her addiction to alcohol, Zodwa was taken to rehab and came back to work for Melusi and Gladys. She can be fierce at times, especially when she feels provoked by Gladys. She and Teddy have a very close relationship. As the show goes on, she dates Bongani. She returned to being an alcoholic due to stress.(Recurring role: season 1, main role: season 2 - present)

Sbonga is Pretty’s husband and Tshiamo’s father. He works at Sonto’s tavern and he is cohabiting with Pretty in Sonto’s house. This makes him subject to ridicule by community members. He dreams of taking Pretty and Tshiamo out of Gomora. (recurring role: season 1 - present)

A no-nonsense teacher at Gomora High School that has a close working relationship with Melusi Dlamini. Jackie has been seen to be very intuitive when something seems to be wrong with her students.(Recurring role: season 1 - present). She decide to shout student at school because she's going through rough time at home with her own boyfriend which is a Grade 11 teacher.

Impact of Covid-19 on production

Just months after the show aired, Gomora was one of the first South African TV shows to be pulled from broadcasting after a production break due to COVID-19 lockdown regulations in South Africa.

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References

  1. ↑ "Mzansi Magic announces new weekday series, Gomora". 11 March 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  2. ↑ "Mzansi Magic Cancels Isithembiso Drama". Quick Read Magazine. 2019-10-06. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  3. ↑ Broide, El (2020-03-10). "Gomora Telenovela Set To Thrill Local Audiences". People Magazine. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  4. ↑ "Get to grips with Gomora – Gomora". Mzansi Magic – Get to grips with Gomora – Gomora. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  5. ↑ "Mzansi Magic shares a preview of their upcoming series, Gomora". Justnje.com. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  6. ↑ "Ex-Generations stars team up in new telenovela". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2020-04-03.
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