As the curtain falls on Ithonga, the season leaves behind a blazing trail of unforgettable moments, layered storytelling and performances that raised the bar for local television. What a ride it has been.
Here are all the things we’re going to miss:
Award worthy acting
At the centre of it all was award-worthy brilliance from Bonko Khoza, who masterfully embodied twin brothers Sanele and Banele. Seamlessly shifting between vulnerability and menace, he gave us two distinct souls trapped in one chaotic world. It was the kind of performance that demands applause.
Watch here:
Zama’s peak drama
Zama delivered peak drama in every scene she touched. A self-proclaimed drama queen with a soft heart, who was simply a woman searching for love in all the wrong places. Her journey was tender, explosive and painfully human.
Watch here:
A love with matching outfits
Then there was the quiet poetry of Mbongeni and Nokwanda. Their steady marriage unfolded in matching outfits and subtle glances that only they understood. In the chaotic world of Ithonga, they were the firm foundation of the Magwaza household.
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The Dladla family
This family remained a core heartbeat of the show. Mgabadeli and his ‘shugela’ weathered the death of their son. Yet through grief, this two-parent household remained intentional about raising their children with strong values and a sense of accountability. They were not perfect, but they were present and represented family values.
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Phinda’s delulu moments
Phinda always lived in full delulu mode. His unhealthy obsession with Zama was always clocked by Mam Faith and it spiralled into destruction. His daydreams about running the business with Ntanzi and marrying his beautiful princess, left us laughing, then sighing in sympathy.
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A bittersweet rivalry
The bittersweet rivalry between MaKhumalo and Pablo kept Ezuluwini on edge. Their romance was unexpected and their family feud even more dangerous. We loved how soft Pablo made Magwaza, but we were also entertained when it turned to burning hatred.
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Young love
Young love also blossomed through Lungelo and Ayanda, a forbidden romance that only grew stronger. This rebellious couple always dreamed beyond the boundaries set before them. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions and the young stars delivered!
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The certified villain
And then there was Gadla.
A certified villain with king sized ambition who wanted the throne of eZulwini. Calculated, charismatic and ruthless, he tormented Sanele and Pablo with theatrical grandeur. Viewers loved to hate him, and sometimes simply loved him because he brought unpredictability to every episode.
Watch here:
Ithonga owes us nothing, it’s been a dramatic season of layered storytelling rooted in family, legacy, ambition and love. It sparked conversations. It trended. It gave us characters that will live far beyond the screen. Watch the finale this Friday 27 March at 20:30.
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