House of Zwide is a South African television drama series.^[1] It is an e.tv original production, co-produced by The Bomb Shelter and Videovision Entertainment for e.tv.^[2] The series stars Vusi Kunene, Khaya Dladla, Nefisa Mkhabela, and Winnie Ntshaba, among others.^[3]

Premise

Season 1

Funani and Faith Zwide are the pioneers behind the fast-growing fashion and textile empire in the country, House of Zwide.

In the early stages of the company, Faith who was Funani's secretary had an affair with Funani. His wife found out about it and Faith went to her, trying to explain and apologise but instead; she and Funani's wife (Busi) fought.

In the fight, Faith stabbed Busi (Funani's wife) with a scissors in the neck and unfortunately, she died. Panicking, Faith called Isaac, a hitman whom is her ex-boyfriend to come and help her. Since Isaac would do anything for Faith because he still loved her, he helped her.

Isaac and Faith plotted on burning down the house with Busi inside so it could look like her death was a result of the fire. Faith leaves and Isaac starts on the job.

Isaac succeeds in burning down the house, not knowing that Nkosi and Zobuhle, Busi and Funani's kids were there. Getting out, Isaac hears a newborn baby; Zobuhle's cry and he fails to leave it to die but instead decides to raise it as his own. He names the baby Onalerona.

In her twenties, she aspires to be the best designer in the industry but doesn't know the past is yet to haunt her.

Staring: Vusi Kunene, Nefisa Mkhabela & Bawinile Ntshaba

Season 2

Picking up from the previous season's events, the truth details the normal everyday lives of both the Zwide and Molapo families. Funani unleashes her wrath on Faith and Isaac, and Ona struggles with her newfound identity and is not ready to accept it. This season introduces a new villain to Funani. Alex Khadzi (Warren Masemola), a villain who is in a fashion war with Funani and will do anything to take Funani down. Faith gets divorced by Funani and sentences her to the life of poverty but Faith moves in with Shoki and Soka trying to regain her lavish lifestyle.

Starring: Warren Masemola, Vusi Kunene

Season 3

The storyline begins with a heartbreaking news for The Zwide's as they lost one of their own . Faith and Funani are in denial of their son Senzo Zwide's passing. Molefe received news that he is going to be a father as Dorothy is revealed pregnant. The Zwide's are forced to live with their new enemy Nandipha Khadzi who is here to avange the death of her brother Alex Khadzi

Starring: Keabestwe KB Mamosadi Mostilanyane &Vusi Kunene

season 4

The season starts soon after Nandipha's tragic death.Busie comes back to the Zwides safe.Funani decides to leave House of Zwide he started from scratch. Starring: Bawinile Ntshaba and Nefisa Mkhabela

Characters

List of cast members^[4][5][6]

• Vusi Kunene as Funani Zwide: South Africa's biggest and most influential fashionista. The owner, founder and CEO of House of Zwide. He has a huge crush on Reabetswe Molapo. Father of Zobuhle, Nkosi and Senzo. Zanele's Adoptive Father/step father. Ex-husband of Faith. Busi's widower. Shoki's father-in-law. Busi jr grandfather. He will do anything to for his family (Main role; 2021—2024)
• Winnie Ntshaba as Faith Zwide: Funani's ex wife and co-founder of the House of Zwide. She and Isaac know the truth about Ona but they are trying to hide it. She is the one who left Funani's mother to die. She killed Busi, mother of Nkosi and Ona (Main role; 2021–Present)
• Jeffery Sekele as Isaac Molapo: An Umkhonto we Sizwe veteran and former gangster. He is Faith Zwide's ex. He is not Ona's real Father.He actually stole her when burning the house of Funani Zwide helping Faith. He is now married to Rea Molapo until her untimely death, Keletso's father. Ona's foster father (Main role; 2021—Present)
• Nefisa Mkhabela as Onalerona "Ona" Molapo or Zobuhle Zwide: Busi and Funani's youngest daughter. Isaac and Rea's foster Daughter. Nkosi and Senzo's Sister.Zanele's foster sister. Shoki's friend & sister in law. A young woman who aspires to be in fashion industry. She finds herself in the House Of Zwide pursuing her passion. She had brief relationships with Sandile and Soka. She is The real Zobuhle. Soka and Neo's ex gf (main role; 2021—Present)
• Matshepo Maleme as Reabetswe "Rea" Molapo: Isaac's late wife. She is burdened with the secret that Ona is not her and Isaac's daughter. She is Molefe's sister. She is Keletso's mother. She later got involved in an affair with Funani Zwide but ended things when realising what's at stake; she had cancer but succumbed to her illness on 26 February 2024 ( Main role; 2021–2024)(dead)
• Khaya Dladla as Lazarus: Funani's friend and confidanté. He is responsible for interpreting and creating Funani's designs. Obsessed with neatness and immaculately groomed, he has a no nonsense attitude (main role; 2021—Present)
• Shalate Sekhabi as Reshoketswe "Shoki" Zwide: She is the wife of Nkosi Zwide and sister to Nomsa Phiri. She is a world class model and is the face of House of Zwide. She is Onalerona's best friend and Busi's stepmother also Soka's cousin (Main role; 2021–Present)
• Londeka Mchunu as Zanele Zwide: Faith's daughter. Funani's foster daughter. While adored by her father, she desperately seeks her mother's approval. She proves to be a valuable asset to the business by being a social media influencer. Senzo, Onalerona and Nkosi's half-sister. Zola's ex gf and baby mama(but she had a miscarriage) (Supporting Main Role; 2021—Present)
• Wanda Zuma as Nkosikhona 'Nkosi' Zwide: The gracious handsome son of Funani and Busi Zwide. He is a loving husband to Shoki and incredible father to his daughter Busisiwe Keneilwe Zwide to whom he shares with the villainous Mampho Mokwena. He is the former Chief Financial Operator (CFO) at House of Zwide. He is Zanele, Onalerona and Senzo Zwide's elder brother (Supporting Main Role; 2021—Present)
• Paballo Mavundla as Sandile:He is an intern at House of Zwide. He was in a brief relationship with Onalerona and was friends with benefits with Zanele Zwide until she was in a relationship with Zola (Supporting Main Role; 2021—Present)
• Karabo Mapongwa as Keletso: She is Isaac and Rea Molapo's youngest daughter. She is an intelligent grade 7 learner and was recently bullied by her friends for "snitching" but later stood up for herself. Onalerona's adoptive sister (Supporting Main Role; 2021—Present)
• Lwazi Mthembu as Nomsa: She is a fashion designer and she is playing a role of a mother to her younger sister Shoki since their grandmother's death. She is Molefe's former girlfriend and was also involved in a love triangle with Dorothy and Molefe (Supporting Main Role; 2021–2023)
• KB Mamosadi as Nandipha "The Ghost" Khadzi : She is the sister of Alex Khadzi ( Warren Masemola) who becomes Faith and Funani Zwide's dangerously determined enemy who has come to avange the death of her brother. She killed Senzo Zwide who was Funani and Faith Zwide's son in Season 2 finale and later got Funani and Isaac arrested for murder of her brother. She has nothing to lose but more to gain by destroying the Zwide family but tables turned and she is now in jail (Main supporting Role; 2023–Present)
• Thato Dithebe as Neo Zwane: First and former personal fashion assistance of the late Alex Khadzi. Former dedicated House of Zwide worker. Ona's ex bf(Supporting Role; 2022–Present)
• Gaisang Noge as Mampho Mokwena: She is the Villianous mother of Busisiwe Keneilwe Zwide to whom she shares with the gracious Nkosi Zwide. She is Maria's daughter and big fan of the dangerous Faith Zwide. She worked as intern in House of Zwide but was cast out after blackmailing Nkosi Zwide. She is currently Soka's Girlfriend (Supporting Main Role; 2021–Present)
• Tsholofelo Mashaba as Maria Mokwena: She is dramatic mother of the vicious Mampho Mokwena. She is slay Queen in curse of poverty-stricken Tembisa. She is currently working for Reabetswe Molapo as an assistant at the salon. She is in love with Isaac (Supporting Role; 2022–Present)

Cast Shown on opening scene

• Vusi Kunene
• Bawinile Ntshaba
• Jeffrey Sekele
• Matshepo Malema
• Khaya Dladla-Buthelezi
• Motlatsi Mafatshe
• Shalate Sekhabi
• Wanda"BLAQ" Zuma
• Londeka Mchunu
• Paballo Mavundla
• Lois Du Plesis
• Linda Nxumalo
• Nefisa Mkhabela

Cast

Production

On 24 November 2020 it was announced that long-running e.tv soapie Rhythm City is being canceled. The channel said that the decision to end the series was part of a business strategy.^[7]

In February 2021, The Bomb Shelter sent out a casting call for the female lead role of the series, which at the time had been unspecified. The lead character is described as ambitious and independent woman who loves fashion. Entrants had to send a one-minute monologue to The Bomb Shelter via email before 28 February.

On 9 June, the channel had a press release, announcing that House of Zwide would be the replacement for Rhythm City.^[8]

On 24 June, the channel released the official trailer for House of Zwide.

Broadcast

The series premiered on 19 July 2021 on e.tv. it was then added to e.tv's streaming service eVOD, with 5 episodes added ahead of the linear channel's premiere.^[9]

Reception

The series, throughout its run, has retained its predecessor's position as the channel's second most-watched series, peaking at 4.58 million viewers.^[3]

However, in 2022, viewers expressed discontent at what they thought was recycling of old storylines.^[10]