Muvhango is a South African soap opera that airs on SABC 2. The show, which was created by award-winning filmmaker and producer Duma Ndlovu, is built on the premise that human beings exist with a context. The plot of the story which revolves around the lives of the members of the royal Mukwevho family brings to light the differences between the traditional ways of living in rural areas and that of the modern ways of life in urban areas. It is set in the fictional village of Thathe as well as in Johannesburg.
The soap opera began airing in April 1997 and averages about 5.5 million daily viewers despite having been on the air for more than two decades. It was the first Tshivenda language show broadcast on South African television but has since gone on to incorporate all other South African languages to become multilingual in order to serve as an ambassador for all the cultures of the country.
List of Actors on Muvhango
Dingaan Khumalo
Dingaan Khumalo plays the role of a flamboyant investment broker named James Motsamai who owns the company, Qalabocha Holdings. The actor, who is also a singer, voice artist, and television presenter, made his television acting debut in 1998 on SABC1’s Generations before later getting to join the cast of Muvhango.
Dingaan, who started as an extra on Generations and remained in that position for a while, was fired from the show in 2000 after he voiced his displeasure with his character’s story arc. After a while in which he unsuccessfully auditioned for various roles, he was able to land that of Motsamai before going on to appear in other shows like Nna Sajene Kokobela and Umoja.
Gabriel Temudzani
Gabriel Temudzani is another member of the cast of Muvhango to also have a career as a TV presenter. He presents a magazine show called La Famila on SABC2. On Muvhango, the Nzhelele native who began his acting career in 1995 portrays the character of chief Azwindini Mukwevho, the Mukwevho family patriarch who inherited the throne with the blessing of his ancestors but finds himself embroiled in a never-ending battle for it with his younger brother Mulalo.
Unlike his character who is in a polygamous marriage, Temudzani is in a monogamous marriage in real life. In 2018, he and his wife who have two children together celebrated 12 years together. They began dating in 2006 and later tied the knot in 2013.
Maumela Mahuwa
Maumela Mahuwa has been a part of the soap since its debut, making her one of only three people to have appeared on the show since it premiered in 1997. She plays the character of Susan Mukwevho, the first love and wife of Gabriel Temudzani’s character.
Mahuwa landed the role after being discovered by the series’ creator, Duma Ndlovu. When she is not starring on the show, she serves as a pastor and motivational speaker at various churches and events. She is also a gospel singer and does work for her film school called the African Academy of Cinematic Arts.
Murabeli Rasalanavho
Happy Birthday to Mam' Elsie Rasalanavho aka Vho-Mukondeleli. Muvhango wishes you a blessed day!! pic.twitter.com/aXVVyq7pkr
— Muvhango (@MuvhangoSA) October 8, 2015
Actress and educator Murabeli Rasalanavho is another one of the three actors on Muvhango to have appeared on the show since its premiere. She plays the role of Vho-Mukondeleli Mukwevho, a troublesome and uneducated old woman who loves to gossip about other people and is always seeking the approval of the chief.
Bukamina Cebekhulu
Bukamina Cebekhulu is one of the lastest additions to the cast of Muvhango. The actress, who grew up watching the show, studied Live Performance and Production Design at AFDA Cape Town where she graduated from in 2011. She would later go on to work in TV production (ATTV productions and Stemberg Television) for a while before catching her big break as she landed the role of Gugu Nkosi Zikalala in 2017. Since she made her debut, Bukamina’s character has grown and she has been able to build quite a fan base along the way.
Zonke Mchunu
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0BDs72pVtd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Zonke Mchunu plays the role of Imani Nkosi, the younger cousin of Bukamina Cebekhulu’s character. She was able to land the role after she met Muvhango creator Duma Ndlovu, who also serves as a producer of Uzalo where she made her acting debut as an extra/singer on Uzalo’s church choir, at one of the workshops he was holding for upcoming actors. Duma told her about the role and encouraged her to audition for it which she later landed after multiple screen-tests.
While many viewers have noted that she is quite brilliant on screen, Zonke Mchunu has said that acting was not her first love. She originally wanted to be a dancer but that was impossible as they were very few opportunities for her to live her dream in the village she was raised.
Nathaniel Ramabulana
Nathaniel “Nats” Ramabulana is an award-winning stage, television, and film actor. The multilingual South African, who has a Dramatic Arts Honours Degree from Wits University, plays the role of mayor Tendamudzimu Mudau on Muvhango where his performance in 2020 earned him a SAFTA Golden Horn nomination for best actor.
Other projects the actor has either starred in or had a guest appearance include Askies, The Wild, Isidingo, Home Affairs, Nomzamo, Jozi-H, Justice for All, and Life is Wild.
MacDonald Ndou
MacDonald Ndou gives life to the character of Khakhathi “KK” Mulaudzi, an unlikeable and arrogant businessman. Ndou’s character has received backlash from the most patient of Muvhango fans who point out that KK has no sense of style with his wearing of shiny suits and bright shirts. Unfortunately for the actor, the style of his character has gone ahead to be linked with him in real life, something that he has gone to extra lengths to get rid of. The University of Venda graduate often posts pictures of himself on Instagram looking very stylish. Fans have complimented his looks as they also beg him to convince producers of the show to improve the fashion sense of his character.
Liteboho Molise
Liteboho Molise plays the character of Teboho Mukwevho, a role she says she did not originally audition for. According to her, she had auditioned to play a much older character but did not get it. The show’s producers and casting directors however loved her performance so much that they called her back and gave her a different role which turned out to be that of Teboho.
Sydney Ramakuwela
Sydney Ramakuwela plays the role of a stubborn and wealthy mayor named Mulalo Mukwevho who is also the brother of the chief. The actor, who started acting from a very young age as a member of a community theatre group, has come a long way in life as his role on TV is a huge contrast to what it was like for him growing up. He was raised by a single mother who hawked fruit and vegetables for him to be able to go to school. Sydney was able to attend high school where he was also involved in a radio drama for Phalaphala FM but could not afford to receive higher education due to financial constraints. Things eventually turned around for him after he impressed Duma Ndlovu who offered him the role he now plays on Muvhango.
Regina Nesengani
Regina Nesengani plays the role of Vho-Masindi Mukwevho, the mother of Gabriel Temudzani’s character, chief Azwindini Mukwevho. She began appearing on the show since the first season and has been a part of the cast ever since. While her first role on television was on Muvhango, the actress who is a teacher by profession has been in the industry for more than 30 years. She has mainly worked as a radio drama actor.
Sharon Seno
Sharon Seno is a Botswana-born actress who plays the role of Marang Motsoaledi, an Executive PA working at Qalabocha Holdings for James Motsamai, the character portrayed by Dingaan Khumalo. Sharon made headlines when she shared a passionate kiss with James on screen. Outside of acting, she has done some work as a model, finished as a finalist at a beauty pageant, and served as a judge at a few other beauty contests.
Azwimmbavhi Litelu
Azwimmbavhi Litelu, who has a birthmark that starts from the inner corner of her right eye to where her right nostril starts, is an actress and a real-life Venda princess from the Dzimauli Musanda Hu-Rambuda area in the far north of the country. She plays the role of Mpho Mukwevho, the second wife of Chief Azwindini Mukwevho.
Humbulani Tsharani
Humbulani Tsharani, who plays the role of traditional healer Mulimisi Negota, is one of the new actors on Muvhango. Unlike the character he plays, the actor is a devoted Christian and goes to church every Sunday. He also plays the piano in church. Tsharani has spoken about how fans see him in public and ask him for assistance thinking he is a real-life traditional healer. While it was fun at first for him, he says that it has become annoying in recent times.
Other Actors and Actresses That Make Up the Cast of Muvhango
- Eunice Mabeta
- Bongi Dlamini
- Khathu Ramabulana
- Wavhudi Lidzegu
- Amos Mulaudzi
- Pandelani Mulaudzi
- Ndivhuho Mudau
- Candy Magadimisa
- Raymond Neluvhalani
- Tebatso Mashishi
- Bokang Moeng
- Dumisani Dlamini
- Pride Klaas
- Gaosi Raditholo
- Paulina Mphethahanyi
- Duduzile Ngcobo
- Buhle Samuels
- Jacky Nethomboni
- Charlotte Mulaudzi
- Candy Sibiya
- Innocentia Makapila
- Kingsley Ramabulana
- David Sebe
How Much Actors on Muvhango Earn
Acting has become a very lucrative career as it not only offers good financial rewards but also publicity and celebrity status. As a result of this, many people have begun to look towards launching a career in front of the camera. The earnings of actors however vary considering the show they appear on, its popularity, their role, and level of experience. With this, you can find that actors on Muvhango who might have a similar role will earn differently.
Whatever the case may be, it has been reported that the show pays its main cast members between R40 000 and R60 000 per month. This is quite similar to what main cast members of shows like Isidingo, Scandal, and Rhythm City take home.
Read Also: What South African Soapie Actors And Actresses Earn is Unbelievable!
Awards Won By Muvhango Actors or Members of the Crew
Despite Muvhango being SABC2’s most-watched show overall in the 2010s, the soap and members of its cast have not been heavily recognized by award bodies as one would expect from such a big production. This, among many other reasons, led the producers of the show to slam the South African Film and Television Awards for running an award show that isn’t independent enough to be a true reflection of the best of television in the country.
The producers went on to announce that Muvhango will sit out the SAFTAs “indefinitely” until “a marked improvement is noted in the category nominations and selection process of the judges”. As a result of this, the show did not feature at the event from 2015 until 2020 when it received two nominations.
2006
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Actress – TV Soap – Shoki Mmola (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Makalo Mofokeng (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Achievement in Directing – TV Telenovela / Soap (Nominee)
2007
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Actress – TV Soap – Mara Louw (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Achievement in Directing – TV Telenovela / Soap – Duma Ndlovu (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap/Telenovela (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Achievement in Art/Design – TV Soap – Sean Pretorius (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Achievement in Costume Design – TV Soap (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Ensemble – TV Soap – Maishe Maponya (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap – Velaphi Mnisi (Winner)
2009
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap – Florence Masebe (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap – Candy Moloi (Nominee)
2012
- Audience Award Most Popular TV Soap (Nominee)
2013
- Audience Award Most Popular TV Soap (Nominee)
2015
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Achievement in Costume Design – TV Soap (Nominee)
2020
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap – Xolile Tshabalala (Nominee)
- SAFTA Goldern Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Nathaniel Ramabulana (Nominee)
