Khanyi Mbau is ready to take on role of Zandile in ‘The Wife’

After the announcement of Khanyi Mbau’s casting in Showmax’s The Wife, the actress says she’s ready to tackle her new role.

Mbau will play the lead character Zandile in season two, Zandile, the Resolute, and will come on board as Nkosana’s (Mondli Makhoba’s) love-interest-turned-wife.

Showmax’s adaptation of Dudu Busani-Dube’s book series is inspired by the first three books – Hlomu, The Wife, Zandile, The Resolute, and Naledi, His Love.

Khanyi’s character will explore her relationship with Nkosana and learn more about their history. “We’ll get to know Zandile as the matriarch of the Zulu family, the glue who held the Zulu brothers together. In season two, she wants to reclaim her position, a role that uHlomu has now taken over in her absence. Get ready to see the world through Zandile’s eyes,” a statement issued after the announcement reads.

The actor has played several roles on TV, such as Palesa in the TV drama Umlilo in 2016, calling it her most challenging acting role because of the legal jargon involved in playing an attorney. But Mbau says she’s now ready to study Zandile.

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“Now we take on Zandile the Resolute, Awaken The Creature,” she posted on Instagram.

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Mbau was posting a series of characters she has played, showing her credentials, possibly a response to some people who have been doubting her acting skills.

Recently, she reprised her role as Zaza in the romantic comedy sequel Happiness Ever After on Netflix.

The media personality is joining a show that has broken records for Showmax. It has been repeatedly topping the trends lists on Twitter as fans wake up in the early hours of the morning to watch the new episodes released every Thursday.

The author of the book series, says Mbau is the perfect casting.

“She has depth and rawness; she’s able to tap into the dark side that Zandile has, as well as give that vulnerability that we’ll see, especially with the love between her and Nkosana. As a production team, we’ve worked with her before, and we know she’ll bring that grit that is needed for the character of Zandile.”

The Wife broke Babes Wudumo and Mampintsha’s reality show Uthando Lodumo’s record for the most first-day views of all-time on Showmax, as well as Devilsdorp’s record for the most hours watched within four days of launch. The series even outperformed shows such as Game of Thrones, The Real Housewives of Durban, and The River. 

Compiled by Sandisiwe Mbhele