Gomora (TV series)

Gomora
Genre	Drama Crime Thriller
Created by	Gwydion Beynon Phathutshedzo Makwarela Kutlwano Ditsele Amanda Lane
Written by	Gwydion Beynon Phathutshedzo Makwarela
Directed by	Zeno Pieterson
Starring	Katlego Danke Zolisa Xaluva Connie Chiume Thembi Seete Sannah Mchunu Siyasanga Papu Ama Qamata
Composer	Zethu Mashika
Country of origin	South Africa
Original languages	Tswana Zulu
Production
Executive producers	Kutlwano Ditsele Thabang Moleya Leanne Kumalo
Producers	Lulu Hela Kutlwano Ditsele
Running time	22–24 minutes
Production company	Seriti Films
Distributor	Naspers Multichoice DStv
Release
Original network	Mzansi Magic
Original release	30 March 2020 (2020-03-30) – present
Chronology
Preceded by	Isithembiso

Gomora is a South African television drama series produced by . It is an M-Net original production commissioned for M-Net's local interest channel Mzansi Magic.^[1] The drama series replaces Isthembiso, which hasn't been renewed for a fourth season.^[2] The series tells a story of two families in two different lifestyles and how their lives intertwine by a tragedy. The series is filmed in the Alexandra township, hence the name of the series. Gomora airs Monday to Friday at 19h30 on Mzansi Magic.^[3]

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 well respected man in the community that struggles to make ends meet. Their two worlds collide in a botched hijacking attempt which sets their worlds into a complete downward spiral.^[4][5]

The series explores the themes of social economic issues, the disparity between the low and upper-class members of South African societies, of which their contrast between them being brought to life through one of the most innovative filming styles.

Main Cast[]

Actors	Characters	Seasons
		1	2
Katlego Danke	Thathi Molefe - Ndaba	Main
Zolisa Xaluva	Melusi Dlamini	Main
Connie Chiume	Mam'Sonto Molefe	Main
Thembi Seete	Gladys Dlamini	Main
	Ntokozo Dlamini	Main
Siphesihle Ndaba	MaZet	Main
	Don Buthelezi	Does not appear	Main
	Teddy Zondo	Main
Sannah Mchunu	Zodwa Zondo	Recurring	Main
Siyasanga Papu	Pretty Molefe	Main
	Sibongile Buthelezi	Does not appear	Main
	Tshiamo Molefe	Recurring	Main
Ama Qamata	Buhle Ndaba	Main
	Miss Jacky Hlungwani	Recurring
	Sbonga Madida	Recurring	Main
Thulani Mtsweni	Bongani	Recurring
	London	Recurring
	Langa Dlamini	Main	Recurring

Cast[]

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

• Onthatile "Thathi" Molefe-Ndaba (Katlego Danke)

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.(Main role Season 1 - present)

• Melusi Dlamini (Zolisa Xaluva) An upright, strict father. He had a previous relationship with Thathi and is now married to Gladys. He is a principal in a local high school. He expects his son to be an overachiever. He is looked upon by the community as a respected man, though his household can barely make ends meet. He is the patriarch of the Dlamini household.(Main role Season 1 - present)

• Mam'Sonto Molefe (Connie Chiume)

Thathi'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.(Main role Season 1 - present)

• Gladys Dlamini (Thembi Seete)

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 Thati's relationship because Thathi is Melusi's high school sweetheart.(Main role Season 1 - present)

• Ntokozo Dlamini ()

The son of 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.(Main role Season 1 - present)

• Buhle Ndaba (Ama Qamata)

Buhle is 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.(Main role Season 1 - present)

• Langa Dlamini ()

Langa is 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 he and Buhle. He is friends with Teddy and Ntokozo.(Main role Season 1, Recurring role Season 2)

• Sibusiso "Teddy" Zondo ()

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.(Main role Season 1 - present)

• Pretty Molefe - Madida (Siyasanga Papu)

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)

• Zanele "MaZet" Thwala (Siphesihle Ndaba)

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.(Main role Season 1 - present)

• Tshiamo Madida ()

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.(Recurring role Season 1, Main role Season 2)

• Ntombizodwa "Zodwa" Zondo ()

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.(Recurring role Season 1, Main role Season 2)

• Sbonga Madida ()

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, Main role Season 2)

• Jackie Hlungwani ()

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)

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.

References[]