House of Zwide

Last updated

House of Zwide
GenreTelenovela
Fashion
Drama
Romance
Created byThe Bomb Shelter
Inspired byHouse of Aside by
Brenda Mukwevho
Vusi Kunene
Written bySydney Dire
Catherine Stewart
Ephraim Sitsha
Glenrose Ndlovu
Londeka Mchunu
Directed byAdze Ugah
Angus Gibson
Phiwee Mkhanzi
Catherine Stewart
Starring
Country of originSouth Africa
No. of seasons5
Production
Executive producersDesireé Markgraaf
Anant Singh
ProducersMaqubool Mahomed
Thabo Boom
Production companiesThe Bomb Shelter
Videovision Entertainment
Original release
Network e.tv
Release19 July 2021 (2021-07-19) 
present

House of Zwide is a South African television drama series. [1] It is an e.tv original production, co-produced by The Bomb Shelter and Videovision Entertainment for e.tv. [2] The series stars Vusi Kunene, Nefisa Mkhabela, Jeffery Sekele, Winnie Ntshaba, Wanda Zuma and among others. [3]

Contents

Premise

Season 1

Funani and Faith Zwide are the pioneers behind the fast-growing fashion and textile empire in the country, House of Zwide.

In the early stages of the company, Faith who was Funani's secretary had an affair with Funani. His wife found out about it and Faith went to her, trying to explain and apologise but instead; she and Funani's wife (Busi) fought.

In the fight, Faith stabbed Busi (Funani's wife) with a scissors in the neck and unfortunately, she died. Panicking, Faith called Isaac, a hitman whom is her ex-boyfriend to come and help her. Since Isaac would do anything for Faith because he still loved her, he helped her.

Isaac and Faith plotted on burning down the house with Busi inside so it could look like her death was a result of the fire. Faith leaves and Isaac starts on the job.

Isaac succeeds in burning down the house, not knowing that Nkosi and Zobuhle, Busi and Funani's kids were there. Getting out, Isaac hears a newborn baby; Zobuhle's cry and he fails to leave it to die but instead decides to raise it as his own. He names the baby Onalerona.

In her twenties, she aspires to be the best designer in the industry but doesn't know the past is yet to haunt her.

Starring: Vusi Kunene, Nefisa Mkhabela & Bawinile Ntshaba

Season 2

Picking up from the previous season's events, the truth details the normal everyday lives of both the Zwide and Molapo families. Funani unleashes her wrath on Faith and Isaac, and Ona struggles with her newfound identity and is not ready to accept it. This season introduces a new villain to Funani. Alex Khadzi (Warren Masemola), a villain who is in a fashion war with Funani and will do anything to take Funani down. Faith gets divorced by Funani and sentences her to the life of poverty but Faith moves in with Shoki and Soka trying to regain her lavish lifestyle.

Starring: Warren Masemola, Vusi Kunene

Season 3

The storyline begins with a heartbreaking news for The Zwide's as they lost one of their own . Faith and Funani are in denial of their son Senzo Zwide's passing. Molefe received news that he is going to be a father as Dorothy is revealed pregnant. The Zwide's are forced to live with their new enemy Nandipha Khadzi who is here to avenge the death of her brother Alex Khadzi

Starring: Keabestwe KB Mamosadi Mostilanyane &Vusi Kunene

Season 4

The season starts soon after Nandipha's tragic death.Busie comes back to the Zwides safe.Funani decides to leave House of Zwide he started from scratch. Funani leaves his legacy to Nkosikhona and Zobuhle. Msizi Faith's ex-convict brother comes back to her life .That threatens Faith's happiness.The is love brewing between Isaac and Maria.Mampho and her cousin Thato start their own fashion label.

Starring: Bawinile Ntshaba and Nefisa Mkhabela

Characters

List of cast members [4] [5] [6]

Cast

ActorsCharactersSeasons
Season 1Season 2Season 3Season 4Season 5
Winnie Ntshaba Faith Zwide Main
Jeffrey Sekele Isaac Molapo Main
Nefisa Mkhabela Ona Molapo Zwide Main
Mduduzi Mabaso Msizi ShangeDoes not appear Main
Wanda Zuma Nkosikhona Zwide Main
Tsholofelo Matshaba Maria MokwenaDoes not appear Main
Khaya Dladla Lazzurus Laz Ngcobo Main
Louis Du-Plessis Pearl Main
Linda Nxumalo Soka Zulu Main
Paballo Mavundla Sandile Ndlovu Main
Motlatse Mafatse Lefa Molefe Main
Gaisang Noge Mampho Mokwena Main
Tebogo Sefora Thato MokwenaDoes not appear Main

Cast As Per Opening Sequence

Production

On 24 November 2020 it was announced that long-running e.tv soapie Rhythm City is being canceled. The channel said that the decision to end the series was part of a business strategy. [10]

In February 2021, The Bomb Shelter sent out a casting call for the female lead role of the series, which at the time had been unspecified. The lead character is described as ambitious and independent woman who loves fashion. Entrants had to send a one-minute monologue to The Bomb Shelter via email before 28 February.

On 9 June, the channel had a press release, announcing that House of Zwide would be the replacement for Rhythm City. [11]

On 24 June, the channel released the official trailer for House of Zwide.

Broadcast

The series premiered on 19 July 2021 on e.tv. it was then added to e.tv's streaming service eVOD, with 5 episodes added ahead of the linear channel's premiere. [12]

Reception

The series, throughout its run, has retained its predecessor's position as the channel's second most-watched series, peaking at 4.58 million viewers. [3]

However, in 2022, viewers expressed discontent at what they thought was recycling of old storylines. [13]

References

  1. "House of Zwide | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  2. Seleme, Rae (15 February 2022). "'House of Zwide', '7de Laan' and 'DiepCity' lose thousands of viewers". The South African. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  3. 1 2 "House of Zwide | e.tv". www.etv.co.za. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  4. "List of cast" . Retrieved 15 July 2021 via PressReader.
  5. "A-list actors join new e.tv soap 'House of Zwide'". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  6. "The dream only fashion can buy: Meet the cast of 'House of Zwide'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  7. Admin (3 July 2025). "House of Zwide Shock: Shoki Zwide to Die in Tragic Exit". South African News. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  8. Admin (1 July 2025). "Farewell to Fan-Favourite: Shoki Zwide's Tragic Exit from House of Zwide". South African News. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  9. "House of Zwide Season 4 Finale ends with an emotionally charged conclusion as Shoki dies | e.tv". www.etv.co.za. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  10. Ferreira, Thinus. "Rhythm City cast and crew thought they were called to be congratulated – then got axed". Channel 24. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  11. kekana, chrizelda. "'House Of Zwide' to replace 'Rhythm City'". TimesLive. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  12. "House of Zwide Archives". The South African. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  13. Mngadi, Mxolisi (27 October 2022). ""Predictable": 'House of Zwide' storyline leaves SA unhappy, fans slam e.tv show". Briefly. Retrieved 9 January 2024.