Uzalo

Uzalo initially told the story of two families in the township of Kwa-Mashu: the Mdletshe family who plays a significant role in the management of the Kwamashu Kingdom Church and the Xulu family which runs a car theft syndicate. The connection between the families was that their eldest sons were switched at birth during the period when Nelson Mandela was released from prison.[2][4] As the show has progressed over the years, the storylines have dramatically changed with interchanging characters, contributing to many new story arcs, but simultaneously maintaining the growth of some of its main and supporting characters.

Uzalo made its debut on Monday, 9 February 2015, on South African public television network SABC 1. Initially, Uzalo was aired only three times a week but after the show rapidly gained popularity, it was extended to five days a week.

The series premiere of Uzalo in February 2015, attracted 5 million viewers. A few months later, it had over 9 million viewers and was competing with Generations: The Legacy for the most viewed show in South Africa.[5] Uzalo reached a new milestone by being the first ever TV show in South Africa to have a rating of over 10.25 million viewers in 2018.[3]

The program is filmed in KwaZulu-Natal's KwaMashu F-section.[1] The series makes use of local talent and infrastructure to depict a realistic portrayal of life.[4]

• Lindiwe (MaNgcobo) Khanyile (formerly Xulu and Mhlongo) played by Dawn Thandeka King. She is the ex-wife of Muzi and mother of Nosipho and Ayanda. She is also the ex-wife of Nkunzi Mhlongo and the widow of Khathazamanyamadoda Khanyile.
• Nkunzebomvu (Nkunzi) Mhlongo, played by Masoja Msiza. He is the ex-husband of Innocentia and MaMlambo and Lindiwe.
• Nosipho Xulu, played by Nompilo Maphumulo. She is the daughter of Muzi and Mangcobo. She is the sister of Ayanda and half sister to Amandla. She briefly has an affair with Ayanda unaware he is her brother and also has a brief affair with Zweli. She was in a brief relationship with Njeza. And presently in a relationship with Thulani
• Gamakhulu Cetshwayo (GC)*, played by Khaya Dladla. He is a friend of Thobile, Smangele and Fikile. He had a romantic relationship with a man named JoJo.
• Hlengiwe (MaMlambo) Mlambo Mhlongo, played by Gugu Gumede. She befriends MaNzuza and MaNcgobo and was married to Nkunzebomvu Mhlongo.
• Fikile, played by Nelisa Mchunu. She is Thobile, GC and Smangele's friend and hairdresser. She is an relationship with Sbu.
• Zekhethelo Mhlongo, played by Nyalleng Thibedi. She was raised by Nkunzi. Her stepmothers are Innocentia and Lindiwe and her biological mother is called Mapadi, who has been absent throughout her life. She had an on and off relationship with Mxolisi. She was also in a relationship with Njeza. She was a cop and was in a relationship with Mondli.
• Qhabanga Khumalo, played by Siyabonga Shibe. He was a policeman from Kwa-Mashu police station. He is Nkunzi's younger half-brother. He is the pastor of KwaMashu Kingdom Church.
• Mondli Mdlalose, played by Thembinkosi Thwala. Mondli is the Head police captain and was dates Zekhethelo. He is Nosipho and Lilly's ex-boyfriend.
• Gabisile Mdletshe-Khumalo, played by Baby Cele Maloka. She is the sister of the Pastor Melusi and Zandile's sister in law. She is the aunt of Mxolisi, Nkosinathi and Mumsy. She is a landlady of a house she owns. Mother of Sbonelo. She was Qhabanga Khumalo's wife.
• Sbonelo (Babo) Mhlongo, played by Wiseman Mncube was a doctor. He resigned after killing a schoolkid. He is also the only son of Nkunzebomvu and Gabisile. He is in love with Nonkanyiso.
• Nonkanyiso, played by Thuthuka Mthembu. She is a high school learner and was in a relationship with Sibonelo.
• Sbusiso (Sbu) played by Simphiwe Majozi is an ex con. He is dating Fikile. He works for Nkunzi and MaNgcobo.
• Njeza, played by Nkanyiso Makhanya. He is an ex con and is the older brother of Nonka. He worked at Khathaza's funeral home. He had a brief relationship with Zekhethelo and was in love with Nosipho.
• Khathazamanyamadoda Khanyile* played by Sibonile Ngubane. He was a funeral director and husband of Lindiwe. He went to KwaMashu to kill Nkunzi and his family but falls in love with Lindiwe. He is later killed by Lindiwe after she discovers that he is a serial killer . Khathazamanyamadoda has a son in the rural area known as Mafefe, and his son's name is Wester Thobejane and a daughter by the name of Bohlale thobejane an 19 year old boy and 18 year old girl.
• Mr Mbatha. He is part of the board at KwaMashu Kingdom Church. He is formerly the pastor of KwaMashu Kingdom Church and was engaged to Fihliwe.
• Fihliwe Kanyile* is Kathazamanyamadoda's sister. She went to KwaMashu to seek revenge for her family. She was engaged to Mr Mbatha but she is later killed by her brother Khathaza in order to protect Lindiwe.
• Note: an asterisk (*) refers to former cast members/characters.

Uzalo's premiere in February 2015 attracted 5 million viewers. In the following months and years, the soapie has been the most viewed show in South Africa with over 9 million viewers watching. It is competing with Generations: The Legacy for highest viewed show in South Africa.[5]

• Uzalo on IMDb