The sitcom Sgudi ‘Snaysi returns for season six with many celebrated actors and actresses in the cast. Roberta Durrant created the situation comedy.
The Story
The sitcom follows the account of an unemployed man, who a family takes in as a lodger. He engages in many money-making schemes but can’t pay his rent.
The man is the ladies’ man and knows how to be charming to the ladies. The series aired on the CCV TV channel for seven years (1986-1993).
The show stars seasoned comedian Joe Mafela as Sgudi ‘Snaysi, a sloppy but lovable lodger. Daphney Hlomuka plays Sis’ May, a widowed aunt who lives with her niece Thoko played by Thembi Mtshali.
Thoko is a beautiful young aspiring actress. To make ends meet, Sis’ May advertises for a lodger.
S’dumo, played by Joe Mafela, manages to apply successfully but never manages to pay his rent. He is an unemployed man who comes to lodge with ‘Sis May. He is good at getting his way into the hearts of the ladies who he shares a house with.
Israel Thabede plays Mfundisi, who pops in often for a cup of tea and a slice of cake. The antics of S’Dumo’s often bewildered him.
Gloria Mudau is a nosey neighbor who loves participating in and spreading gossip. She sees through many S’Dumo’s failures to make money despite being in many schemes.
The late Daphney Hlomuka played Sis’ May, a middle-aged woman who lives in Soweto. The late Gloria Mudau played Louise, Sis’ May’s neighbor.
Other faces on the show include Thembi Mtshali, who plays Sis’ May’s niece Thoko.
The award-winning director and producer Roberta Durrant produced the show Sgudi ‘Snaysi for the SABC.
Cast
- Daphney Hlomuka as Sis’ May
- Gloria Mudau as Louise
- Thembi Mtshali-Jones as Thoko
- Joe Mafela as S’dumo
- Linda Sebezo as Bubblegum
- Ruth Cele as Martha/Maquinase
- Nhlanhla John Lata as Mpilo
- Paul Mafela as S’dumo Clone
- Russel Savadier as Strike
- Babsy Selela as uMnu Dhlomo
- David Sherwood as Lucky
Actors Who Died
The sitcom has been for a long time and has lost some celebrated actors and actresses. Viewers can not easily forget their appearances and performances. Some of them include:
Gloria Mudau as Louise
The late actress played Louise in the sitcom. She suffered a long illness that claimed her life in Johannesburg in 2011. She appeared in the show for seventy-eight episodes.
Joe Mafela as S’gudi
Joe was born in 1942 in Sibasa, Limpopo province of South Africa. He was best known for his role in the SABC sitcom Sgudi Snaysi. The actor is in March 2017, at the age of 75.
Apart from acting, he was a director and singer. He could speak eleven South African languages.
Babsy Selela as UMnu Dhlomo
Selela was a legendary actor on the small screens for over thirty years. He played as uMnu Dhlomo in Sgudi Snaysi. The actor joined showbiz in 1986 after appearing in the Shaka Zulu comedy series. He passed away in December 2020 at the age of 56.
Daphney Hlomuka as Sis’ May
Another actress late actress on the show is Daphney Hlomuka. She was a television, radio, and stage actress. She joined showbiz in 1968 and appeared in many productions like Rhythm City.
Daphney passed away at 59 after battling kidney cancer at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg in October 2008.
Alive
Although the show has lost some seasoned actors, many others are alive. Some are still in showbiz, while others have deviated to try out other businesses.
Thembi Mtshali-Jones as Thoko
Thembi Mtshali-Jones is a South African actress best known for playing many roles in popular television series. She is notable for appearing in TV series such as Sgudi ‘Snaysi, Stokvel, Silent Witness, and Imbewu.
Born in Sabhoza, a village near Ulundu, Durban, Thembi has been acting since the seventies. She gained prominence in 1986 and grew to be among the celebrated artists.
Don Mlangeni Nawa as Laqhasha
Mlangeni Nawa is another notable actor on the show. He has appeared in many top productions, such as Sgudi Snaysi, Isidingo, and The Throne.
Don was born in Soweto in 1959 and joined showbiz in 1993. He appeared in five seasons of Sgudi Snaysi as Laqhasha.
Sello Maake Ka-Ncube as Isigebengu
Last but not least on the cast is Sello Maake Ka-Ncube. He is an actor and director best known for playing Archie Moroka on the SABC1 soap opera Generations.
Sello was born in Orlando, Soweto, in 1960. He has appeared in many other productions and shows. The actor has also performed in the U.S., Britain, and Canada.