Gqeberha: The Empire

Last updated
Gqeberha: The Empire
Genre
Created byPhathutshedzo Makwarela
Starring
Production
Running time22–26 minutes
Original release
Release16 January 2023 (2023-01-16) – 10 January 2025
Related
The Queen

Gqeberha: The Empire is a South African television series that replaced the telenovela series The Queen on Mzansi Magic. The show is set in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and follows the lives of a powerful family, the Mxenges, as they navigate love, power and betrayal. It first aired on the 16 January 2023 and 260 episodes per season are broadcast. [1] The show is produced by multi-award winning production house, Tshedza Pictures. Tshedza Pictures has produced shows like The River Season 1 to 6, Outlawz Season 1, Champions, Adulting Season 1 and 2 and Youngins on Showmax. The series is directed by Zolani Phakade and the show's producer is Khobi Ledwaba.

Contents

Plot

Season 1

The series is about a man who seemingly has it all: money, love, family, power, glory and respect.

The telenovela is set in the Friendly city and revolves around the polygamous marriage of Luzuko Mxenge (Mbulelo Grootboom), a successful businessman who is husband to three very different wives. They are: Bulelwa Mxenge (Zikhona Sodlaka), Zimkhitha Mxenge (Zandile Msutwana), and Nozuko Mxenge (Kay Bikitsha). He has sons, but his favourite is Thulani (Thembinkosi Ngcukana). What more could he want? Another wife. We meet Anathi Njoloza (Akhenime Mfenyana) Luzuko's fourth wife who is Thulani's love interest.

Season 2

The war gets darker in the second season of the show with Zandile Msutwane leading the cast as the vicious Zimkhitha Mxenge . Co-Starring along her is Bongile Mantsai as Hlumelo Mxenge. The second season axed Zikhona Sodlaka who starred as Bulelwa Mxenge and Mbulelo Grootbom as Luzuko Mxenge who were the lead actors of the show in its previous season. Former Gomora actress Zinzi Nsele, who played the role of Miss Madikizela, will be among those joining Gqeberha: The Empire season two. Nsele, who will play the role of Vuyokazi, will be joined on set by Rorisang Mohapi as Lulama. The duo is set to stir up the already exciting storyline. The new season will dive deeper into the themes of family, power, and redemption, with complicated storylines that reveal the layers of each character and their relationships within the turbulent world of Gqeberha.

Vuyokazi and Lulama play pivotal roles in the upcoming season.

Vuyokazi, Stokkie’s aunt, is introduced as a moral compass and a junior police officer actively engaged in community policing. She becomes a key figure in investigating the Mxenge family’s involvement in crime and tries to bring down the wealthy family’s empire.

Lulama, Vuyokazi’s daughter, brings a dramatic twist to the plot with her manipulative nature and obsession with Thulani, leading to intense twists and turns in the storyline.

On the other hand, Stokkie falls in love with a woman named Yoliswa who manipulates him into doing whatever she wants even killing her husband after lying about him being abusive but in the end she is arrested after being caught.

Season 3

M-Net and MultiChoice have officially confirmed that the popular telenovela Gqeberha: The Empire will not return for a third season. The decision to cancel the show comes after declining viewership ratings, marking the end of the series after two seasons.

Gqeberha: The Empire premiered in early 2023 and quickly gained attention for its unique setting in the Eastern Cape, specifically in the city of Gqeberha. The telenovela followed the story of a powerful businessman with multiple wives and the challenges they face as a family. Despite its unique representation of Xhosa culture and stunning visuals, the show struggled to maintain high ratings over time.

In a joint statement, M-Net and MultiChoice expressed their disappointment over the show's cancellation. "After a thorough review of the show's performance, we regret to inform viewers that Gqeberha: The Empire will not be renewed for a third season. While the show resonated with some audiences, it did not achieve the sustained viewership necessary for continuation."

Despite its initial promise, Gqeberha: The Empire faced stiff competition from other telenovelas and struggled to keep viewers engaged, leading to its eventual cancellation.

Fans of the show have expressed mixed reactions on social media, while cast members shared their gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the production. The show's cultural impact will be remembered, and M-Net and MultiChoice hinted at exploring new productions to continue investing in local content.

Cast and characters

Actor [2] RoleSeason 1Season 2
Mbulelo Grootbom Luzuko Mxenge Main Does not appear
Zandile Msutwana Zimkhitha Mxenge Main
Zikhona Sodlaka Bulelwa Bullet Mxenge Main Does not appear
Bongile Mantsai Hlumelo Mxenge Recurring Main
Litha Ngcukana Thulani Mxenge Main
Akhenime Mfenyana Anathi Mxenge Main Recurring
Oros Mampofu Ntando MxengeDoes not appear Main
Phila Madlingozi Ntando Mxenge Main Does not appear
Anele Matoti Msimelelo Makwethu Main
Anathi Guma Funeka Makwethu Main
Siziphiwe Maqubeka Nontle Makwethu Main
Lonalinamandla Bawuti Nobomi Mxenge Main
Kay Bikitsha Nozuko Mxenge Main
Ayanda McKay Stokkie Recurring Main
Zinzi Nsele VuyokaziDoes not appear Main
Rorisang Mohapi LulamaDoes not appear Main
Zimi Banisi Mpilo Mxenge Main Does not appear
Sibabalwe Bobo Fundiswa Mxenge Main Does not appear
Sinazo YolwaYoliswaDoes not appear Recurring

Accolades

South Africa Film and Television Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2024Gqeberha: The EmpireBest TelenovelaNominated [3]
Most Popular TV Soap/TelenovelaNominated [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>7de Laan</i> South African soapie

7de Laan is a South African Afrikaans soap opera created by Danie Odendaal and produced by Danie Odendaal Productions. The series focuses on the lives of residents in and around the community of 7de Laan, in the suburb of Hillside. The programme's dialogue is primarily in Afrikaans and was subtitled in English with some English and Zulu dialogue in between.

Sindiswa Dlathu is a South African actress and musician. She is well known for portraying Thandaza Mokoena on Muvhango, a role she played from the show's inception in 1997 until her departure in 2017.

<i>Rhythm City</i> South African musical drama series

Rhythm City is a South African television musical drama series produced by Quizzical Pictures. It is an e.tv original production that premiered on the country's free-to-air television channel e.tv from 2007 to 2021. The story revolves around the trials and tribulations of people trying to break into the music industry. The series also airs on e.tv Ghana.

The South African Film and Television Awards is an annual South African awards ceremony hosted by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), to honour creative excellence in the local film and television industry as assessed by the volunteer judges. The various category winners are awarded a statuette, officially called the Golden Horn, and a certificate. The awards, first presented in 2006 at the Gallagher Estate, are overseen by a committee governed by the NFVF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Channel (South African TV channel)</span> South African Television channel

Sony Channel was a general entertainment channel that was part of the DStv bouquet of Sub-Saharan Africa satellite channels owned by MultiChoice.

Skeem Saam is a South African soap opera created by Winnie Serite, broadcast on SABC 1 since 2011. The show is set in Johannesburg and Turfloop. It rose to fame since it arrived, competing with Generations. A majority youth-centered show, Skeem Saam is an SABC Education production. It has been running for 10 seasons. In January 2021, the SABC announced that the show would go on a production break starting from 1 March 2021 due to a massive decline in viewership.

<i>Scandal!</i> South African soap opera

Scandal! is a South African soap opera produced by Ochre Moving Pictures and broadcast on e.tv. It is the most watched soap opera in South Africa, contending with SABC 1's longest-running soapie Generations: The Legacy. It is also broadcast across Africa on the eAfrica, e.tv Botswana and e.tv Ghana feeds. On 10 July 2024, e.tv announced that Scandal! will start airing daily occupying the 19:30 spot which was dubbed as the "Winter binge", and on the 7th of September, they announced that the winter binge was over.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khanyi Mbau</span> South African actress (born 1985)

Khanyisile Mbau is a South African actress, musician, television presenter and socialite. She received recognition as the second Doobsie on SABC 2's soap opera Muvhango (2004–2005); as Mbali in the SABC 1 soap opera Mzansi and SABC 1's mini-series After Nine. As of 2018, She is the host of the SABC 3 entertainment show The Scoop and The Big Secret on BET Africa, and plays Tshidi on Mzansi Magic's Abomama.

Nomzamo Mbatha, is a South African actress, accountant, television personality, businesswoman, human rights activist.

Mzansi Magic is a South African digital satellite and general entertainment channel created by Multichoice and run by M-Net's local interest division, and is broadcast on DStv.

Giyani: Land of Blood is a South African telenovela drama series created by Tshedza Pictures. It is the very first Xitsonga drama series made since the advent of Television in South Africa. It began airing on 1 April 2019 on SABC 2. Season 2 began airing on the 1st of November 2021, on SABC 2 from 21:30 to 22:00 pm. Season 3 aired from 13 March 2023 till 8 November 2023 Mon-Wed 21:30.

Zikhona Sodlaka is a South African actress best known for her starring roles in television series such as Shooting Stars, Rhythm City, Soul City, Intsika and Montana. Sodlaka once got nominated for the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).

Zandile Msutwana is a South African actress best known for her leading role as Akua Yenana on the 2007–2010 SABC 1 drama series Society.

<i>Blood & Water</i> (South African TV series) South African television series

Blood & Water is a South African teen crime drama television series developed by Gambit Films for Netflix starring Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema and Gail Mabalane. Set in Cape Town, the series follows a girl who transfers to an elite school when she suspects one of the students may be her sister, who was abducted as a baby.

Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu, is a South African actor. He is best known for his roles in the popular serials Shaka iLembe,The River, The Gamechangers, Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu and a short film called Ngeculo.

Arendsvlei is a South African soap opera. Featuring an almost all-Coloured cast, it premiered on 1 October 2018 as kykNET & Kie's first telenovela. It was originally intended to be a limited series spanning one year, its first season picking up two SAFTAs. Due to popular demand, Arendsvlei was renewed for a second season in August 2019 and a third in August 2020.

Wiseman Mncube, is a South African actor, playwright, singer and director. He is best known for the roles in television serials, such as Gold Diggers, EHostela, Uzalo and Shaka Ilembe. In June 2024 he was nominated twice for Best Actor for his roles in Uzalo and Shaka llembe by the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film and Television Awards.

Lioness is a South African crime drama television series created by Ilse van Hemert and developed by Ochre Moving Pictures. It premiered on 28 January 2021 on M-Net.

Isiphetho - Destiny is a South African television drama series created by Mandla N and Mpumelelo Nhlapho. It is an e.tv original series produced by BlackBrain Pictures, and stars Mbalenhle Mavimbela, Upile uThixo Bongco, Tsholo Maseko, Kope Makgae, Gugu Gumede, Linda Sokhulu, Mjosty Mbhele, Thulani Mtsweni, Peter Mashigo, Nokwazi Dlamini, Chrispen Nyathi, Simangele Mhlongo and Sibusiso Sithole.

References

  1. ↑ "'Gqeberha: The Empire' allegedly coming to an abrupt end: "Things are worse now"". Briefly. 2023-07-19.
  2. ↑ ""Plans in progress for next season:" Mnet denies ending 'Gqeberha: The Empire'". Briefly. 2023-07-20.
  3. ↑ Ferreira, Thinus (2024-09-05). "2024's SAFTA nominations announced: See all the dominators and new categories at this year's event" . South Africa: News24. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  4. ↑ Ferreira, Thinus (2024-09-05). "2024's SAFTA nominations announced: See all the dominators and new categories at this year's event" . South Africa: News24. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.