The Queen (South African TV series)

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 husband Shona Ferguson. The couple played two of the main roles in the series until the latter decided to kill his character, Jerry Maake to be more behind-the-scenes. The Queen has an all star cast consisting of acting veterans Connie Ferguson, Shona Ferguson, Themba Ndaba and Zandile Msutwana and well known stars including Dineo Langa, Loyiso MacDonald, Sthembiso Khoza and Zenande Mfenyana. The Queen concluded season 4 with a 1 hour finale on Friday 24 July 2020, season 5 premiered on Monday 27 July 2020. [1]

The Queen
GenreTelenovela
Created byFerguson Films
Directed byAndries van der Merwe, Xolani Mabaso
Starring
Theme music composerJoel Assaizky
Opening themeThe Queen Title Sequence (as of season 3)
Country of originSouth Africa
Original language(s)
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes1, 050 (as of August 2020)
Production
Executive producer(s)Connie Ferguson, Shona Ferguson
Producer(s)Lauren Neil, Amanda Quwe
CinematographyLeon Kriel
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22 - 24 minutes
Production company(s)Ferguson Films
BudgetR9 million
Release
Original networkMzansi Magic
Picture format
Audio formatStereophonic
Original release1 August 2016 –
present
Chronology
Related shows

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, while Shona Ferguson plays the police officer Jerry Maake.[2]

Executive producers and head writers

Executive producers
NameYears
Connie FergusonAugust 25, 2016 – present
Shona FergusonAugust 25, 2016 – present

Head writers
NameDuration
Phathu MakwarelaAugust 25, 2016 – present
Gwydion BeynonAugust 25, 2016 – present

Crossovers

The River

2018
  • In 2018, Harriet Khoza (played by Connie) called Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana (played by Sindi Dlathu) from her house to invite her for tea.

Cast
Actor Character Seasons
1 2 3 4 5
Connie Ferguson Harriet Mathapelo Khoza Main
Shona Ferguson Jerry Maake Main Does not appear
Themba Ndaba Brutus Khoza Main
Dineo Langa Keabetswe "Kea" Khoza Main Does not appear
Sthembiso Khoza Shaka Khoza Main
Loyiso MacDonald Kagiso Khoza Main
Zandile Msutwana Vuyiswa "Sis Vee" Jola-Maake Main
Sello Maake ka-Ncube Kgosi Kgosietsile Main Does not appear
Zenande Mfenyana Goodness Mabuza Does not appear Main
Rami Chuene Gracious "TGOM" Mabuza Does not appear Main Does not appear
Motsoaledi Setumo Mmabatho Khoza Does not appear Main Does not appear
Mara Louw Boitswarelo "Boi" Maake Main Does not appear
Natasha Thahane Amogelang "Amo" Maake Main Does not appear Recurring Does not appear
Zolisa Xaluva Diamond Mabuza Does not appear Main Does not appear
Thembsie Matu Patronella "Sis Pat" Zulu Does not appear Recurring Main
Vuyolwethu Ngcukana Lumko "Schumacher" Toto Recurring Main
Tumi Morake Dolly Does not appear Recurring Does not appear
Xolani Mayekiso Thato Maake Does not appear Recurring Main
Nay Maps Dingane Khoza Does not appear Main
Sipho Manzini Jabulani "Mjekejeke" Zulu Recurring Main
Sibusisiwe Jili Georgina "Gigi" Zulu Does not appear Main
Cindy Mahlangu Siyanda Does not appear Recurring Main Does not appear
Rosemary Zimu Warona Sefatsa Does not appear Recurring Main
Kuli Roberts Mildred Sefatsa Does not appear Recurring Main
Rapulana Seiphemo Colonel Hector Sebata Does not appear Recurring Main
Kenneth Nkosi Detective Jaros Motale Does not appear Recurring Main
Jessica Nkosi Thando Sebata Does not appear Main
Ntando Duma Mpho Sebata Does not appear Main

Main characters
  • Harriet Mathapelo Khoza (née Kgosietsile) played by Connie Ferguson. She is the lead female character and main character alongside Brutus. She is the wife 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. She also had a brief affair with 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. They're 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. (main role; season 1 - present)
  • Lieutenant 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)
  • Uncle Brutus Khoza, played by Themba Ndaba. He is the lead male character and main character alongside Harriet. He is the brother of Mzi and brother in-law of Harriet. 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 are the leaders of "The Big 5" and control the biggest cocaine territory in South Africa. (main role; season 1 - present)
  • Kagiso "Muscle Man" 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 and Siyanda. Kagiso killed Goodness' father Goldfinger in season 1. Kagiso saw Harriet at fault for Kea's death. (main role; season 1 - present)
  • Keabetswe "Kea" Khoza, played by Dineo Langa. She was the beautiful, outspoken and only daughter of Harriet. She has had abusive relationships in the past and was in a relationship with Eric. She started her own boutique as a front for the Khoza drug business. 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)
  • Shaka Khoza, played by Sthembiso Khoza. He is the tough and oldest son of Mzi Khoza. He has a close relationship with his uncle, Brutus. He is married to Mmabatho Khoza 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. He attempted to kill Kagiso and Dingane but Harriet and Brutus restored peace between them. (main role; season 1 - present)
  • Lieutenant Vuyiswa "Sis Vee" Jola-Maake, 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. (main role; season 1 - present)
  • Kgosi Kgosietsile, played by Sello Maake ka-Ncube. He is the homosexual brother of Harriet and was in a brief relationship with Schumacher. He has a close relationship with his niece, Kea. (main role; season 1)
  • Goodness Mabuza, played by Zenande Mfenyana. She is the daughter of drug lords Goldfinger and Gracious Mabuza. She was in a relationship with Kagiso and Shaka. She is Mmabatho and Martha's cousin and Gift's older sister. She was raped by Siyanda's fiancè and she killed him and buried him. Goodness shot Siyanda on the latter's wedding day. (recurring role; season 1, main role; season 2 - present)
  • Gracious "TGOM" Mabuza, played by Rami Chuene. Gracious is the wife and 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. Gracious was the owner of the Blue Moon Lounge but Goodness took over the reigns when she died. (main role; season 2 - 4)
  • Mmabatho Khoza, played by Motsoaledi Setumo. She is 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. (recurring role; season 2, main role; season 2 - 4)
  • Boitswarelo "Boi" Maake, played by Mara Louw. She is the sister of Jerry and the aunt of Amo, Thato and Bakang. 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 4)
  • Diamond Mabuza, played by Zolisa Xaluva. He is a dangerous ex con and Gracious' brother in-law. 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 Gift Mabuza and Roy Maake. He was killed by Harriet 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 works as a housekeeper at the Mabuza's. (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 2 - 3)
  • Lumko "Schumacher" Toto, played by Vuyolwethu Ngcukana. 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 and Khumbuzile. He also grew interest in Mildred. (recurring role; season 1 - 3, main role; season 4 - present)
  • Thato "TT" Maake, played by Xolani Mayekiso. 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.(recurring role; season 2, main role; season 3 - present)
  • Dingane Khoza, played by Nay Maps. He is Brutus' son and Kea, Kagiso and Shaka's cousin. He is an ex-con. (main role; season 4 - present)
  • Jabulani "Mjekejeke" Zulu, played by Sipho Manzini. 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 - 3, main role; season 4 - present)
  • Zodwa Khoza, played by Brenda Mhlongo. Zodwa is Mzi's ex wife and Shaka's mom. 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. (recurring role; season 4)
  • Georgina "Gigi" Zulu, played by Sibusiswe Jili. 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 is helping her investigate Jaros. (main role; season 4 - present)
  • Siyanda, played by Cindy Mahlangu. She was introduced as a soccer players fiancè and baby mama 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. Siyanda was shot by Goodness on her wedding day. (recurring role; season 3, main role; season 4)
  • Mildred Sefatsa, played by Kuli Roberts. 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 ; main role, season 5)
  • Warona Sefatsa, played by Rosemary Zimu. 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; main role, season 5)
  • 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. (main role, season 5)
  • 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. (main role, season 5)

Cast Members

In season 1, the main cast members were Connie Ferguson, Shona Ferguson, Themba Ndaba, Dineo Langa, Loyiso MacDonald, Sello Maake ka Ncube, Natasha Thahane, Sthembiso Khoza, Mara Louw and Zandile Msutwana. The recurring cast members were Zenande Mfenyana, Khayakazi Kula, Vuyolwethu Ngcukana and Sipho Manzini. Sello Maake ka Ncube left the show after season 1.

In season 2, the main cast members were Connie Ferguson, Shona Ferguson, Themba Ndaba, Dineo Langa, Loyiso MacDonald, Natasha Thahane, Sthembiso Khoza, Mara Louw, Zandile Msutwana, Zenande Mfenyana and Rami Chuene. The recurring cast members were Vuyolwethu Ngcukana, Sipho Manzini, Zolisa Xaluva, Motsoaledi Setumo, Xolani Mayekiso, Thembsie Matu, Tumi Morake, Mlamli Mangcala, Thato Molamu, Moshe Ndiki and Khayakazi Kula. Mara Louw, Thato Molamu, Moshe Ndiki, Khayakazi Kula and Natasha Thahane left the show after season 2.

In season 3, the main cast members were Connie Ferguson, Shona Ferguson, Themba Ndaba, Dineo Langa, Loyiso MacDonald, Sthembiso Khoza, Zandile Msutwana, Zenande Mfenyana, Rami Chuene, Zolisa Xaluva, Xolani Mayekiso, Thembsie Matu and Motsoaledi Setumo. The recurring cast members were Vuyolwethu Ngcukana, Sipho Manzini and Tumi Morake. Zolisa Xaluva and Tumi Morake left the show after season 3.

In season 4, the main cast members were Connie Ferguson, Shona Ferguson, Themba Ndaba, Dineo Langa, Loyiso MacDonald, Sthembiso Khoza, Zandile Msutwana, Zenande Mfenyana, Rami Chuene, Motsoaledi Setumo, Xolani Mayekiso, Thembsie Matu, Vuyolwethu Ngcukana, Sipho Manzini, Nay Maps, Sibusiswe Jili, Mlamli Mangcala and Cindy Mahlangu. The recurring cast members were Natasha Thahane, Brenda Mhlongo, Kuli Roberts and Rosemary Zimu. Rami Chuene, Motsoaledi Setumo and Dineo Langa left the show during season 4. Shona Ferguson and Mlamli Mangcala left the show at the end of season 4. Season 4 ended with a 1 hour special finale on the 24th of July 2020.

In season 5, the main cast members are Connie Ferguson, Themba Ndaba, Loyiso MacDonald, Sthembiso Khoza, Zandile Msutwana, Zenande Mfenyana, Xolani Mayekiso, Thembsie Matu, Vuyolwethu Ngcukana, Sipho Manzini, Nay Maps, Sibusiswe Jili, Kuli Roberts, Rosemary Zimu, Rapulana Seiphemo, Menzi Ngubane, Jessica Nkosi, Ntando Duma, Brenda Ngxoli and Kenneth Nkosi. The recurring cast hasn't been revealed. This is the first season without Dineo Langa and Shona Ferguson since the show's inception in 2016.

Controversies

The Queen's creator's and executive producers, Connie Ferguson and Shona Ferguson have come under fire for allegedly exploiting actors and firing them without reason.Rami Chuene, Dineo Langa and Mlamli Mangcala are amongst the bunch of actors that were fired by the couple.

Awards and nominations

Dstv Viewers Choice Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 "Sello Maake Ka-Ncube" Favourite Actor Nominated
2017 "Themba Ndaba" Favourite Actor Won
2018 "Thembsie Matu" Favourite Actress Won
2018 "Rami Chuene" Nominated

The South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas)

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Joe Assaizky Best Achievement In Original Music/Score-TV Soap/Telenovela Nominated
2018 "Leon kriel" Best Achievement in Cinematography-TV Soap/Telenovel Nominated
2018 "Odette Earle" Best Achievement in Art/ Production Design - TV Soap/Telenovela Nominated
2018 "Ferguson Films" Most Popular TV Soap/Telenovela Nominated
2020 "Loyiso MacDonald" Best Supporting Actor - Telenovela Won

References
  1. "Connie Ferguson wears the crown | IOL Entertainment". Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  2. "Connie Ferguson is 'The Queen' in new TV show". Retrieved 2018-03-24.
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