Secrets shatter the throne in Umbuso
Friendships, families and legacies toppled by secrets and murder in new Mzansi Magic drama Umbuso.
Mzansi Magic’s (*161) new flagship Sunday-night local drama series Umbuso (at 20:00) centres on former prison buddies Ma E (Bheki Sibiya) – who’s now a street-smart business-man
– and Tiny (Makhaola Ndebele) – the people’s politician – and their efforts to establish their legacies in post-apartheid South Africa, with a low-income housing project in both their sights. But a dark secret and a murder will cut to the heart of both families and destroy all they have built. It’s a tale of a daughter’s search for the truth, how the past impacts the present of crime, politics and the lengths that people will go to to protect those they love, and what they believe is theirs.
WHO’S WHO MA E NYANDENI (Bheki Sibiya)
Ma E is an old school township gangster who’s built his criminal empire on the dagga trade and who’s dominated his community with street smarts, muscle and strategic generosity.
These days, he uses his connections and business savvy to run a (mostly) legitimate construction empire. Ma E forged a brotherhood with Tiny while they were in prison together and Ma E was making his reputation as a boxer under the name Stimela.
MPHO (Zinzi Zungu)
Ma E’s beloved wife and mother to their children has been the glue that has bonded Ma E and Tiny’s families together for over 25 years. When she’s murdered on her birthday, it throws both families’ lives into an uproar. Qhawe is devastated because her mom was her best friend, and she gets pulled into the investigation to find her killer, and their motive, but her search uncovers devastating secrets.
QHAWE (Kwanele Mthethwa)
Ma E’s daughter Qhawe is everything that a man could want in an heir. She is smart, educated, feisty and driven. To understand Qhawe and her world, you have to understand her family and their long-lasting bonds with uncle Tiny’s family, who’re connected in every way but blood. Qhawe is trapped in a loveless, (fortunately) childless marriage with Mothusi, a superficially charming businessman working in the NGO sector. Mothusi is an emotionally abusive serial cheater who wants Qhawe to be a traditional wife, while offering none of the respect that role would involve. She secretly still loves Tiny’s son Tshepiso.
SAMORA (Sandile Mahlangu)
Qhawe’s passionate, sensitive and fragile young twin brother is as much a creative artist as she is an entrepreneur. As a result, Samora and his dad Ma E have seldom seen eye-to-eye, which has left Samora feeling like everything that he does disappoints Dear Old Dad. His mom Mpho has always played peacekeeper between them. Samora was named after Uncle Tiny’s favourite politician, and he’s going to do his best to try connect with his dad, although that means having to beat his golden-child sister.
TINY MATLALA (Makhaola Ndebele)
Tiny has turned his shared criminal and prison past with Ma E into the colourful foundation story for his political career. These days, he’s eyeing a mayoral chain and head office. Tiny is a charming, hard-working political animal, but becoming mayor might mean he has to distance himself from Ma E publicly. And there’s plenty at stake for Tiny. He and Ma E could win a lasting legacy for their families if they manage to secure the rights to build a new low-income housing project. Tiny has a spectacular temper and he’s fearsome to behold when he flies off the handle.
BRIDGET (Bathabile Mashigo)
Tiny’s fierce wife Bridget is the family matriarch and the power behind the throne. It’s her push and determination that have driven Tiny’s political career, allowing him to go from one-time convict to potential political leader with a squeaky-clean public image now that he’s reformed. She is capable of absolutely anything and utterly ruthless. Bridget might or might not like Tiny, but she does love the doors that her marriage to him opens for her, and the hidden power that marriage allows her to wield when it comes to society hierarchy.
TSHEPISO (Khojane Morai)
Tiny’s son is Qhawe’s oldest friend. They were always close and once, briefly, almost dated until both families objected. Unfortunately that choice pushed both Tshepiso and Qhawe into unhappy marriages in which they have become each other’s lifeline. Tshepiso is married to a political powerhouse who works with his mom Bridget. His wife is far more interested in Tiny’s career than Tshepiso is, and she’s floored by Tshepiso’s apparent lack of ambition. She could do worse though. Tshepiso’s sister is going to prove in upcoming episodes that she’s the real family trainwreck and there’s no level too low for her to sink to.