SAFTA-nominee Nhlanhla Kunene, best known for his role as Eric in the Showmax drama series , has officially joined Skeem Saam. Kunene will make his debut as Amandla Dubazane, a character who is set to bring tension and intrigue to the popular SABC 1 soapie.
Amandla Dubazane is a man who looks like he belongs in boardrooms and corner offices. Impeccably dressed in tailored suits and carrying himself with quiet confidence, Amandla exudes success, control, and charm. But appearances can be dangerously misleading.
Behind the polished exterior, is a man who is calculated, composed and deeply unsettling. Amandla isn’t driven by chaos or emotion. He is precise. Intentional. And perhaps most unnerving of all, disarmingly polite.
“The character of Amandla is very controlled and sure of himself. He’s not loud or over the top, but his presence is always felt. There’s a quiet intensity about him that keeps you watching, and I really enjoyed bringing those layers to life,” says Kunene.
He moves with ease, blending into spaces, while quietly shifting the balance of power. As he begins to intersect with familiar faces, it becomes clear that his intentions are not only serious, they are dangerous.
“Amandla is the kind of character who changes the temperature of every scene he walks into. Viewers should expect tension, suspense and a storyline that will keep them on edge,” says Yvonne Siphuka, Publicity Manager.
As his story unfolds, one thing becomes certain, Amandla Dubazane is not a man you want to cross.
Kunene’s addition to Skeem Saam marks another major step in his growing career. He first appeared on TV in 2019 with a minor role on Muvhango. He later featured in the Netflix South Africa thriller Justice Served in 2022 before landing his first leading role as Jabu in the Mzansi Magic comedy-drama Lavish.
His breakthrough came in 2023 when he starred as Eric in Adulting, one of the show’s main characters. He also appeared in the final season of The River and starred in the BET biopic series Nkalakatha: The Life of Mandoza. In 2024, he continued his rise with leading roles in Obstruction and Queendom. He is also confirmed to be joining season 2 of Law, Law and Betrayal as Mondli Gumede.
Nhlanhla Kunene will make his first appearance as Amandla Dubazane on Skeem Saam on Monday, 20 April 2026.
Skeem Saam airs weekdays on SABC 1 at 7:30 PM.
