Amalanga Awafani Turns Up the Heat in September with New Faces, Hidden Motives & A Heritage Month Celebration

SABC1 celebrates heritage month with more drama, comedy, mystery and culture on Season 2 of Amalanga Awafani, welcoming two exciting new faces while celebrating South Africa’s rich heritage through music and culture.

Actor and reality television star Akhonamathemba ‘Sweet Guluva’ Zwane joins the cast of Amalanga Awafani making his debut on Friday, 11 September 2026, playing the role of Ngwenya, the firm but entertaining restaurant manager at the local watering hole. While his character may keep a tight ship, viewers can expect plenty of laughs along the way.

Sweet Guluva expresses his excitement about joining Amalanga Awafani –

“I am happy about the opportunity to play Ngwenya on Amalanga Awafani since a lot of people don’ t know that one of my first loves was acting. When I got a call back from the producers, I saw this as a once in a lifetime opportunity, the show is set in Nquthu, and I am also from Nquthu. The series resonates with me as it is about drama and music. I love acting and I make music. Viewers can expect some seriously funny moments with a firm character”.

But the laughs soon give way to intrigue when award-winning actress Thandeka Nodada makes her debut on Tuesday, 29th September 2026 as Nandipha, a sophisticated and influential businesswoman who enters Thembi’s life as a mentor, mother figure and seemingly generous gateway to a bigger future. Nandipha appears to have it all: grace, business savvy and a warm, motherly presence. But as Nodada teases, things may not be quite as they seem.

Thandeka Nodada adds –

“Nandipha’s character truly embodies the saying, ‘If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.’ She is gracious, motherly, helpful and business savvy truly a Mother Teresa figure. But is she really? Audiences will enjoy discovering the many layers of the character, particularly as Nandipha’s seemingly nurturing nature begins to reveal a darker.”

A Heritage Month Celebration Through Music

Amalanga Awafani also invites viewers to tune in on Thursday, 24 September 2026, for a special episode featuring the Amabutho concert taking place at the Soweto Theatre. The celebration brings together music, culture and storytelling, with music sensations Sannere and Feza making special appearances with the show acknowledging the richness of Nguni, Pedi, Setswana and Sesotho cultures.

The concert marks a special first performance by aboMzala, Sabelo and Fenda, bringing the on-screen musical duo together on stage for the first time.

Beyond celebrating South Africa’s diverse cultures, the concert carries a powerful message, including the dedication of a tribute song to women, highlighting the unfair treatment and abuse experienced by women in relationships with abusive partners.

With new characters bringing fresh energy, unexpected motives threatening to shake up relationships and a Heritage Month celebration that brings audiences together through music, Amalanga Awafani promises a September filled with moments to laugh, question, celebrate and keep watching.

Amalanga Awafani airs Monday to Friday at 18h30 on SABC1 and is also available on the SABC Plus app.

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