The Queen (South African TV series)

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The Queen
Season 6 logo
Genre	Telenovela
Created by	Ferguson Films
Written by	Phatu Makwarela Gwydion Beynon Andries Mahlatse Banda
Directed by	Andries van der Merwe Xolani Mabaso
Starring	Connie Ferguson Rapulana Seiphemo Zandile Msutwana Jessica Nkosi Themba Ndaba Zenande Mfenyana Thembsie Matu Brenda Ngxoli
Theme music composer	Joel Assaizky
Opening theme	The Queen Title Sequence (as of season 3)
Ending theme	The Queen Ending Sequence (as of Season 1)
Country of origin	South Africa
Original languages	English Setswana Sepedi Afrikaans isiZulu isiXhosa
No. of seasons	6
No. of episodes	260 episodes
Production
Executive producer	Connie Ferguson
Producers	Lauren Neil Amanda Quwe Eva Khumalo Banda
Cinematography	Leon Kriel
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	22 - 24 minutes
Production company	Ferguson Films
Budget	R9 million
Release
Original network	Mzansi Magic
Picture format	576i HDTV 1080i
Audio format	Stereophonic
Original release	1 August 2016 (2016-08-01) – present
Chronology
Related shows	The River

The Queen is a South African telenovela that premiered on Mzansi Magic on August 1, 2016 and on canal plus in April 2020. It is produced by Ferguson Films, owned by acting veterans Connie Ferguson and her late husband Shona Ferguson. Shona Ferguson left the production to work behind-the-scenes. The Queen runs at a 260 episode per season and airs every Monday to Friday at 21h00 on Mzansi Magic.

The Queen concluded season 4 with a 1 hour finale on Friday 24 July 2020, season 5 premiered on Monday 27 July 2020. The Queen had a crossover episode with The River, featuring Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana who is Harriet's friend.

Longtime series star Loyiso MacDonald (who had been part of the cast since the show's inception) exited the show in June 2021. Zandile Msutwana suffered an injury on set and she was temporarily replaced by Tembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo while she recovered at home, she is set to be making a return in the season 6 episode 5.

On the 18th of March 2021 The Queen was renewed for a sixth season which premiered on the 26th of July 2021.^[1] SK Khoza is fired from The Queen because he was arrested for beating up his wife.^[2]

Cast and Characters[]

Plot[]

The show revolves around the Khoza family, drug lords who hide their dealings behind their logistics company, and their conflicts with their competitors and the Tembisa Police Service. Connie Ferguson plays the role of Harriet Khoza, the widow of a drug lord and a drug lord known as "The Queen" while Shona Ferguson plays the police officer Jerry Maake.

The plot however changes in season 5 as the Khoza's world is turned upside down by the arrival of a new lethal and ambitious enemy Thando Sebata (Jessica Nkosi) a powerful drug lord heiress, trained assassin and sniper as she takes the Khoza's cocaine territory and becomes the new drug queen pin.

Main characters[]

• Harriet Mathapelo - Khoza played by Connie Ferguson. She is the lead female character and main character alongside Brutus. She is the widow of Mzi Khoza and mother of Kea and Kagiso. She is also the matriarch of the Khoza family. She loves her children and will do anything to protect them. Harriet's parents, Kedibone and Tiro Mathapelo, came to visit her and the rest of family. Harriet had remained very bitter with her parents claiming they were fraudsters. During a family dinner, the main reason for Harriet's anger and bitterness; was that her father Tiro had raped her multiple times as a teenager. Since the truth about Tiro was revealed, no one in the family including Tiro's wife Kedibone, seemed to believe Harriet. Finally, Tiro finally confessed to the family what he did to Harriet when she was younger. Since Tiro's confession, he apologised and begged for Harriet's forgiveness but Harriet rejected Tiro one last time and fully disowned him. Tiro then committed suicide by jumping in front of a train when the whole family disowned him. She also had a brief affair with fellow drug dealer, Zack Phiri prior to the premiere of the show. Harriet and Brutus are the leaders of "The Big 5", which is a group consisting of the biggest drug dealers in Gauteng. She hired Mogapi, who was Jerry's son to kill her husband at Kea's wedding in the premiere episode. Harriet and Brutus control the biggest cocaine territory in South Africa. Hector and his sidekick Jaros sent out helicopters to shoot at the Khoza's at the golf course. Their main plan was to kill her and her loved one's. During the shootout between the shooters in the helicopter, police and the Khoza's along with Dollar, Harriet tried to run for cover and Jerry jumped on her body as a shield to save her. Harriet attempted suicide because she felt responsible for Kea's death. After her hospitalisation, she took the decision to leave the cocaine business. Harriet came back into the business and partnered up with Hector. (main role; season 1 - present)
• Captain Jeremiah "Jerry" Maake, played by Shona Ferguson. He was the tough, robocop husband of Vuyiswa Jola and he was the father of Amo, Mogapi and Bakang. Jerry and Vuyiswa have been trying to bring down the Khoza family but have failed. His siblings were Boi, Roy and Adelaide Maake. He was the Lieutenant Captain of Thembisa Police Station. Hector Sebata and his sidekick Jaros sent out helicopters to shoot at the Khoza's at the golf course. They're plan was to kill Harriet and her loved one's. During the shootout between the shooters in the helicopter, police and the Khoza's along with Dollar, Harriet tried to run for cover and Jerry jumped on her body as a shield to save her and he died. (main role; season 1 - 4)
• Keabetswe "Kea" Esmarelda Khoza, played by . She was the beautiful, outspoken and only daughter of Harriet. Kea was married to Tumisho in season 1 but they later divorced. She had previously dated Jerry's sisters son Kwanele. She was also in a relationship with Tebogo but he became physically abusive towards Kea. He beat Kea up one final time, putting her in hospital. Once Harriet and the rest of the Khoza family found out, Tebogo was severely beaten himself by Harriet and was later shot and killed by the Khoza's. She was in a relationship with Eric. She started her own boutique as a front for the Khoza drug business. Kea left the show saying she found a new job. Kea was killed in a explosion on her way to Jerry Maake's funeral. Kea was buried in season 5's 10th episode. (main role; season 1 - 4)
• Uncle Brutus Mfanafuthi Khoza, played by Themba Ndaba. He is the lead male character and main character alongside Harriet. He is the brother of Mzi, brother in-law of Harriet and patriarch of the Khoza family. It has been revealed that he has a lot of children with different women. He is the father of Bhekumuzi and Dingane and the uncle of Shaka, Kagiso and Kea. He was in a brief relationship with Dolly and was almost killed in season 2 by an explosion at Shaka's wedding. He and Harriet were the leaders of "The Big 5" and controlled the biggest cocaine territory in South Africa before leaving the business. He was in a romantic relationship with Noma. (main role; season 1 - present)
• Kagiso "Muscle Man" Melusi Khoza, played by Loyiso MacDonald. He is the youngest child of Harriet Khoza and brother to Shaka and Kea. He was a pilot in the army. He had romantic relationships with Amo, Goodness, Kamina, Akhona and Siyanda. Kagiso killed Goodness' father Goldfinger in season 1. Kagiso saw Harriet at fault for Kea's death. Kagiso married Goodness Mabuza and they have a daughter named Mvelo. Kagiso and Goodness moved to Eastern Cape with their daughter to start a new life. They came back to honour Kea's memory. He and Goodness Decided to go back to Port alfred with their daughter. (main role; season 1 - 5, recurring role; season 6)
• Shaka Khoza, played by . He is the tough and oldest son of Mzi Khoza. He has a close relationship with his uncle, Brutus. He was married to Mmabatho Mabuza and Linda and is the father of Khaya and Mzi. Diamond planted explosions at his boat wedding that took place in season 2. Shaka was "killed" by Kagiso during a fight with Dingane. He however "resurrected" from the dead. In revenge, he attempted to kill Kagiso and Dingane but Harriet and Brutus restored peace between them. Shaka was in a relationship with Thando Sebata and he had a sexual affair with Onica while being married to Mmabatho. He also was engaged to Goodness Mabuza but caught her cheating on him with his brother Kagiso. He proposed to Thando and she agreed but they mutually ended their relationship. He was in a relationship with Mbali Tau. (main role; season 1 - present)
• Lieutenant Vuyiswa "Sis Vee" Maake- Sebata, played by Zandile Msutwana She is introduced as Jerry's partner but later becomes his wife. She is a tough detective who had a brief affair with Jerry's son, Bakang in season 2. She also miscarried in season 2 and had a brief relationship with Zack Phiri. She is the current Police Lieutenant of Thembisa Police Station. Her husband, Jerry was killed by Hector Sebata's men in a failed attempt to kill Harriet and her family. Vuyiswa was arrested in connection with Kea's murder after Jaros planted a box full of evidence that incriminates her in her bedroom. Jaros attempted to kill her but Thato got shot instead of her. Vuyiswa started a relationship with Hector Sebata. Zandile Msutwana suffered an injury on set and she was temporarily replaced by Tembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo while she recovered at home. (main role; season 1 - present)
• Kgosi Kgosietsile, played by . He is the homosexual brother of Harriet and uncle of Kagiso and Kea. He was in a brief relationship with Schumacher and had an affair with married man named Michael. He has a close relationship with his niece, Kea. He has a daughter named Olerato. (main role; season 1 - 2; guest role, season 5)
• Goodness Mabuza - Khoza, played by Zenande Mfenyana. She is the daughter of the late drug lords Goldfinger and Gracious Mabuza. She came to Johannesburg from Cape Town to avenge her father's death and was in a relationship with Kagiso and Shaka. She is Mmabatho and Martha's cousin and Gift's older sister. She had a brief relationship with Thabiso and got quickly engaged to him. Once realising she doesn't love Thabiso, she dumped him. Feeling angry about Goodness dumping him so quick and sudden, Thabiso got himself drunk and ended up raping Goodness in her bedroom. Goodness then felt so heartbroken after the rape and eventually reported it to the police. No one in court seemed to believe Goodness, up until a recording of the rape was played and Thabiso was soon found guilty. Thabiso managed to escape prison and managed to confront Goodness and Gracious. He then shot Goodness in her shoulder and then attempted to shoot her again and kill her but Goodness's uncle Diamond came and shot Thabiso dead. Diamond, Goodness and Gracious then buried Thabiso's body. Goodness shot and killed Siyanda on the latter's wedding day. She is allegedly pregnant with Kagiso's child. Goodness also had a brief affair with Vuyiswa’s boyfriend Bakang. Goodness came back with a daughter (Mvelo) and it was revealed that she is Kagiso's child. The couple subsequently got married and are now living together in the Khoza mansion. She became friends with Thando Sebata. She left with Kagiso and her daughter to start a new life. They came back to honour Kea's memory. They decided to go back to Port alfred with their daughter. She lateron returned to the Khoza residency and told them that her and Kagiso were facing relationship issues.it was later revealed that she had cheated on Kagiso with her personal trainer.(recurring role; season 1, main role; season 2 - present)
• Gracious Mabuza, played by . Gracious was the widow of Goldfinger Mabuza. She is also the matriarch of the Mabuza family and a mother to Goodness and Gift. She was in a brief relationship with Dollar and Schumacher and she was killed in the middle of season 4 by Dollar's wife Nomzamo. Gracious was the owner of the Blue Moon Lounge but Goodness took over the reigns when she died. (main role; season 2 - 4)
• Dr. Mmabatho Khoza, played by . She was the wife of Shaka. She is the cousin of Goodness and Gift. She met Shaka in season 2 premiere and got married in the season 2 finale. Once Shaka cheated on Mmabatho with Onica, Mmabatho then ended up cheating on Shaka and had a brief romantic relationship with Madimetja. She then dumped Madimetja after giving birth to her and Shaka’s son and revealing that she still loved Shaka and had forgiven him. Then they got a divorce during Shaka’s ’funeral’(recurring role; season 2, main role; season 3 - 4)
• Boitswarelo "Boi" Maake, played by Mara Louw. She is the sister of Jerry and the aunt of Amo, Thato and Bakang. She is also the mother of Kwanele. She was an international singer before opening her own restaurant in Thembisa, Boi's Corner later named The Corner House. Her siblings are Jerry, Roy and Adelaide Maake. (main role; season 1 - 2)
• Amogelang "Amo" Maake, played by Natasha Thahane. She is Jerry's daughter and a part owner of The Corner House. She moved to America to work there and was in a relationship with Kagiso. (main role; season 1-2, recurring role; season 3 - 4)
• Diamond Mabuza, played by Zolisa Xaluva. He is a dangerous ex con and Gracious' brother in-law. He was also the brother of Goldfinger Mabuza. He killed Brutus' son Bhekumuzi and also kidnapped Vuyiswa. In season 2, Diamond attempted to kill Harriet and Gracious along with their families but instead killed his nephew Gift Mabuza and Roy Maake. He also had relationship with Kamina and got her to spy at the Khoza house whilst dating Kagiso. Once Harriet found out the truth about Kamina, she shot Kamina dead and swore revenge on Diamond. He was later killed by Harriet when she laced poison on his drinking glass in season 3. (recurring role; season 2, main role; season 3)
• Patronella "Sis Pat" Zulu, played by Thembsie Matu. She is the outspoken and greedy wife of Mjekejeke and the mother of Georgina. She worked as a housekeeper at the Mabuza's. She's currently the housekeeper at Hector's house. (recurring role; season 2, main role; season 3 - present)
• Dolly, played by Tumi Morake. She is the beautiful, charming, fraudster friend of Harriet and Kgosi. She helped the Khoza family in seasons 2 and 3 when Harriet was in prison. She was in a brief relationship with Brutus. (recurring role; season 1 - 3)
• Lindiwe Dlamini - Dikana, played by Sindi Dlathu. She is Harriet's friend. She helped Harriet kill diamond. She helped Harriet and her children when she was in jail. (recurring role; season 3)
• Lumko "Schumacher" Toto, played by . He is the bisexual driver of Khoza Trucking. He is friends with Mjekejeke, Thato, Georgina and Siyanda. He was in a relationship with Kgosi, Gracious, Prince and Khumbuzile. He also grew interest in Mildred. He also had a romantic relationship with Mpho Sebata but she quickly dumped him after she discovered his affair with another man. She then later forgave and married Schumacher. Schumacher stole R1,7 million rand from Mpho which caused a possible break up in their marriage but when Mpho caught Schumacher with another man in the Sebata mansion, she broke up with him for good and served him with divorce papers. (recurring role; season 1 - 2, main role; season 3 - present)
• Thato "TT" Maake, played by . He is Jerry's nephew and Amo's cousin. He was introduced as a drug addict who distributed drugs for Diamond in season 2. He later recovered and he is currently the manager of The Corner House. His mother is Adelaide Maake. In season 4, Thato unknowingly started sleeping with mother and daughter Mildred and Warona Sefatsa. He is friends with Schumacher, Mjekekeke, Georgina and Siyanda. During a driver swap with Sis Vee, Jaros shot at their car and Thato was shot instead of Vuyiswa. Thato's estranged father, Jackal Mkhondo came back into his life in season 5. Much to his dismay, Sis Vee gave him a place to stay in their house. Thato was killed by Hector and Thando after he realised that Hector was responsible for Jerry's death.(recurring role; season 2, main role; season 3 - 5)
• Dingane Khoza, played by . He is Brutus' son and Kea, Kagiso and Shaka's cousin. He is an ex-con. He was involved in Shaka's death. (main role; season 4)
• Jabulani "Mjekejeke" Zulu, played by . He is a mechanic at Khoza Trucking. He is also the calm and collected husband of Patronella and Georgina's father. He is friends with Schumacher and Thato. (recurring role; season 1 - 2, main role; season 3 - present)
• Ntombizodwa "Zodwa" Khoza, played by . Zodwa is Mzi's ex wife and Shaka's mother.She is the one who got Shaka and brutus out of jail. She's always been at loggerheads with Harriet, Kea and Kagiso. During season 4, she tried killing Harriet but instead poisoned the whole family. Brutus opted to not tell Harriet and told her to go back to KZN. (guest role; season 3, main role; season 4)
• Warrant Officer Georgina "Gigi" Zulu, played by . She is Patronella and Mjekejeke's daughter. She is a cop at Thembisa Police Station and she is friends with Siyanda, Schumacher and Thato. She is Vuyiswa's confidant and was helping her investigate Jaros. (main role; season 4 - present)
• Siyanda Dlamini, played by . She was introduced as a soccer players Thabiso's fiancè and mother of his daughter in season 3. She works at The Corner House as a waitress after her fiancè is killed. She was in a relationship with Kagiso. She is a recovering drug addict after she got access to the Khoza merchandise. She was pregnant with Kagiso's child but later had a miscarriage after finding out Goodness was also pregnant with Kagiso's child. Siyanda was later “shot dead” by Goodness on her wedding day. However it was later revealed that Siyanda survived being shot and got her job back working at the Corner House. It is revealed the reason why Goodness attempted to kill Siyanda was because Siyanda held Goodness hostage. (recurring role; season 3, main role; season 4 - present)
• Mildred Sefatsa, played by . Mildred is Vuyiswa's friend from the police academy but she quit and married a businessman. She is Warona's mother. She has an interest in young men and she recently fell for Thato. (recurring role, season 4)
• Warona Sefatsa, played by . Warona is Mildred's daughter. She also fell for Thato and they were in a relationship, until she found out that he was sleeping with her and her mother. (recurring role, season 4)
• Colonel Hector Sebata, played by Rapulana Seiphemo. Hector Sebata is the newest police colonel in Tembisa and leads a double life. On one side he is a police colonel but on the other side he is a drug lord who wants to take over Gauteng. He wants to be the biggest drug lord in Africa and he can't do that with Harriet on the throne and the Khoza's reigning over the territory. Knowing very well that he was behind the attack, Hector visited a distraught Vuyiswa and Thato and "promised" that he will do all that he can to find the thugs that killed Jerry. His daughters are Thando and Mpho Sebata and his sidekick is Jaros. (recurring role; season 4, main role; season 5 - present)
• Detective Jaros Motale, played by Kenneth Nkosi. Jaros is Hector's sidekick. He is the one carrying all the plans out to kill the Khoza's while Hector is the brains behind it. He planted a bomb in one of the Khoza's car's hoping that it would kill Harriet but it killed Kea instead. Vuyiswa figured out that Jaros was connected to Mickey, one of the shooters at the golf course and told Hector about it. Hector ordered Jaros to kill Vuyiswa. During a driver swap with Thato, Jaros shot at their car and shot Thato instead of Vuyiswa. Jaros was killed by Thando because he was going to snitch on Hector to Vuyiswa. (guest role; season 4, recurring role; season 5)
• Thando Sebata, played by Jessica Nkosi. Thando is Hector's oldest child and Mpho's sister. She is a trained sniper and assassin she is a very dangerous and ruthless drug lord and she is in charge of the Sebata cocaine business. She is the heiress to the Sebata business. She killed Jaros and took over the Khoza's cocaine territory and becomes Harriet's rival as well as the new Queen of drug trafficking. She was Shaka’s love interest, Shaka proposed to Thando and she accepted. But they broke up because their family didn't get along well. (main role, season 5 - present)
• Mpho Sebata, played by Ntando Duma. She is Hector's youngest daughter and Thando's younger sister. It was revealed that their mother died a few years ago. She is an heiress to the Sebata business. She doesn’t know about the drug business. Mpho has a romantic relationship with Schumacher but quickly dumps after catching him having sex with another man. She later forgives him and marries Schumacher. Schumacher stole R1,7 million rand from Mpho which caused a possible break up in their marriage but when Mpho caught Schumacher with another man in the Sebata mansion, she broke up with him for good and served him with divorce papers. Mpho was shot and killed by the Khoza's at Hector's 50th birthday. (main role, season 5)
• NomaPrincess "Noma" Matshikiza, played by Brenda Ngxoli. Noma is Harriet's friend from the past who borrowed R10 million to bid for a tender to build stadiums. She recently came back and went undercover to pose as a buyer from Thando. She was in a romantic relationship with Brutus. She is also the new owner of Blue Moon Lounge. (main role, season 5 - present)
• Olerato Mathapelo, played by . She is Kgosi's daughter and Harriet's niece. Her mother died years ago. She is Kea and Kagiso's cousin. (recurring role; season 5, main role; season 6 - present)

Former Cast[]

• Dineo Langa as Keabetswe Khoza
• Rami Chuene as Gracius Mabuza
• Loyiso MacDonald as Kagiso Khoza
• Zenande Mfenyana as Goodness Khoza
• Thembisa Mdoda - Nxumalo as Vuyiswa Maake - Sebata (2)
• Motsoaledi Setumo as Dr Mmabatho Khoza
• Marah Louw as Boitswarelo Maake
• Thato Molamo as Bakang Nkwe
• Ntando Duma as Mpho Sebata
• Shona Ferguson as Jerry Maake
• Thandy Matlaila as Cleo Maake
• Thabang Molaba as Gift Mabuza
• Bohang Moeko as Trevor
• Kay Sibiya as Kwanele
• Khayakazi Kula as Martha
• Nay Maps as Dingane Khoza
• Brenda Mhlongo as Zodwa Khoza
• Tsiamo Molobi as Tshepo
• Michelle Mosalakae as Kamina
• Kenneth Nkosi as Jaros Motale
• Khanya Mkhangisa as Akhona Jola
• Zolisa Xaluva as Diamond Mabuza
• Moshe Ndiki as Prince
• Patrick Ndlovu as Goldfinger Mabuza
• Vuyisela Cawe as Listerina Radebe
• Pabee Moganedi as Mamiki
• Sannah Mchunu as The Maid
• Kabelo Moalusi as Roy Maake
• Fezile Makhanya as Tebogo
• Mpumi Mpama as Zach Phiri
• TK Sebothoma as Jomo
• Lunathi Mampofu as Benni
• Thembi Mtshali-Jones as Ma Thulile Khoza.
• Phemello Ngcobo as Adelaide Maake
• Unathi Guma as Babalwa
• Tumi Morake as Dolly
• Rosemary Zimu as Warona Sefatsa
• Kuli Roberts as Mildred
• Joe Kazadi as Thabiso Ngcobo
• Aron Moloisi as Madimetja
• Nelson Ntombela as Skhali
• Magic Hlatshwayo as Alfios
• Sello Motaung as Commissioner
• Talitha Ndima as Prudence
• Matli Mohapeloa as Eric

Awards and nominations[]

Dstv Viewers Choice Awards

The South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas)

In 2021 Royalty Soapie Awards The Queen's Themba Ndaba was nominated for best male villain and Jessica Nkosi won the award for best female villian

References[]