House of Zwide Hits The Runway Tonight

Tonight marks the start of a new era as e.tv launches the much anticipated high-fashion drama series – House of Zwide. Viewers will be introduced to a fashionable Johannesburg family who brings high drama and ruthless ambition as they rise in the cut-throat fashion industry.

House of Zwide tells a thrilling rags-to-riches story set in the glamorous world of fashion. It is a timely aspirational story with many twists and turns that we believe will keep viewers glued to their television screens.

The show will feature some of South Africa’s most loved and award-winning actors with a generous dash of new talent. The essence of the show is based on “Your Dreams Are Valid, No Matter Your Age”.

Faith and Funani Zwide are the founders of House of Zwide, the fastest-rising clothing and textile empire in the country. When the company was still in its infancy, Funani, the talented designer had an affair with his secretary. When Faith found out about her husband’s relationship she hired Isaac Molapo, a hitman, to deal with the mistress.

Isaac fulfilled his duty and killed the secretary, but he couldn’t bring himself to kill her newborn child as well. Unknown to Faith he took the child and raised her himself. Today she aspires to be the best designer, but little does she know about her past that could plague her.

The Cast

Funani Zwide

Played by Vusi Kunene. Funani is a handsome, charismatic, stylish – all the things you would expect from a man regarded as South Africa’s biggest fashion icon. But what makes Funani really interesting is the fact that lying underneath the debonair, affluent fashion designer is the spirit of an old school hustler from KwaMashu

Faith Zwide

Played by Winnie Ntshaba. Faith is the head designer of the House of Zwide and she’s a woman who can kick your ass with a look. She was born and raised in a shack in Tembisa and it’s a place she has vowed never to return. Her traumatic past defines her want, Faith will make sure her and her children will never end up broke.

Isaac “the Godfather” Molapo

Played by Jeffrey Sekele. Isaac is the sympathetic gangster. He is a former Umkhonto weSwize veteran who was involved in the turbulent hostel wars during the mid-90s. At the age of 16 he was already earning himself a reputation for being fearless and courageous in the face of danger. These qualities soon saw him become the go to guy for hits on the opposition.

Rea Molapo

Played by Matshepo Maleme. Rea is an incredibly resourceful woman who does whatever she has to, to see that her family is taken care of. Her dream is to one day run her own successful business so her family will never want again.

Molefe

Played by Motlatsi Mafatse. Molefe is Rea’s 30-year-old underachieving brother whose gravy train is always on the way but somehow never arrives.

Lazarus

Played by Khaya Dladla. Lazarus immaculately-groomed and obsesses about neatness and orderliness. You get a sense that his obsession with order is compensatory behaviour for another area of his life that is out of control.

Nkosi Zwide

Played by Wanda Zuma. Nkosi is Funani’s first born son, the Crown prince of the Zwide family. Nkosi is eye candy, every woman’s dream man, but he has his demons. He sees himself as the successor-in-waiting to his father, but unfortunately he doesn’t have an artistic bone in his body.

Ona Molapo

Played by Nefisa Mkhabela. Ona is the heroine of the show. Her dream is clear, she wants to be the head designer of the House of Zwide and make Kasi inspired outfits. It’s time to bring fashion back to the people. Ona’s talented, smart, funny and a bit rough around the edges which will be a sharp contrast to the people surrounding her at work.

Sandile

Played by Paballo Mavundla. Sandile is the classic urbane and good-looking playboy on the rise in the company. He is easy and charming but can also be cold and calculating because he knows what it takes to win.

Zanele Zwide

Played by Londeka Mchunu. Zanele practically lives on the gram, and she’s only recently started proving herself as asset to the business through her role as an influencer. People find Zanele so vivacious and stylish they want to dress like her, and of course she’s always rocking Zwide.

Sokalezwe

Played by Linda Nxumalo. Sokalezwe is Ona’s love interest from Tembisa, but he encounters a problem when rich boy Sandile comes in to Ona’s life and competition arises.

Senzo Zwide

Played by Olwethu Mackay. Senzo is a young focused individual that will set new heights for South African Television.

Shoki

Played by Shalate Sekhabi. Shoki is Ona’s best friend and confidant. Shoki is chasing the Rosebank dream. She wants to leave the Kasi and finally keep up with the Kardashians. Shoki always looks great, and she sees herself as a future model and fashion icon that’ll be rocking Ona’s fabulous designs on the runaway one day.

Jacob De Villiers

Played by Noah Cohen. De Villiers fits the classic ‘ruthless businessman’ stereotype to a T; always immaculately dressed but not afraid to get his fingernails dirty. He is an arrogant man who is confident and always get his way.