• Mgidi Moms is coming to Mzansi Magic from Sunday, 29 March
• Hosted by DStv Viewers’ Choice Award winner Moshe Ndiki
• Inimba star Sisa Hewana, from the SAFTA-winning telenovela, reflects on his traditional ceremony, being a Xhosa man & more
Mzansi Magic’s new original reality series Mgidi Moms, a first-of-its-kind show that explores the coming-of-age journey of Xhosa boys as they transition into manhood through initiation, premieres on Mzansi Magic on Sunday, 29 March at 18:00.
Seen through the eyes of the mothers who support them every step of the way, Mgidi Moms offers a powerful and emotional perspective on one of the most sacred rites of passage in Xhosa culture. The series follows families as they prepare for and honour this important milestone in their sons’ lives.
Hosted by Moshe Ndiki, the show is a first for South African audiences. While the ritual itself has traditionally been guided by men, Mgidi Moms highlights the role mothers play before and after the initiation process. From emotional preparation to the celebrations that welcome their sons home, their involvement reflects love, pride and deep respect for heritage.
In anticipation of the premiere, we caught up with Sisa Hewana, one of South Africa’s most recognisable actors and the star of Inimba on Mzansi Magic, winner of the SAFTA for Most Popular TV Soap/Telenovela (Public Vote), who believes shows like Mgidi Moms help preserve our African languages and customs in a modern archive that the whole country can access and learn from.
How did the welcome ceremony shape the way you understand being a Xhosa man today, especially with the celebration being one of the proudest moments in celebrating manhood and culture?
The welcome ceremony is not just a party; it is a spiritual and social rebirth. It is the moment the community officially recognises you. For me, it solidified the understanding that being a man is not about individuality but responsibility and community. Yes, you return as an individual, but the ceremony infuses you back into the fabric of your family and community as a pillar of strength and a custodian of the culture that raised you.
Can you recall your ceremony and how you felt returning home from the initiation?
While the details of the journey are sacred and private, the feeling of returning home is a universal one of profound gratitude and clarity. There is a distinct shift in how you see your home, your parents, and your elders. You feel a deep sense of peace and a newfound weight of responsibility. It is a feeling of coming back home with a different set of eyes that now see the importance of preserving the dignity of the family name and culture.
What role did the matriarchs in your family play?
The matriarchs are the backbone of the entire process. While the men guide, our mothers, aunts, and grandmothers are the ones holding the emotional and spiritual fort at home. They prepare the home for your return. Their songs, ululations and their tears are prayers over your life. They are the gatekeepers who ensure that when men return, they return to warmth, love, and stability. Without the matriarchs, the ceremony has no heart.
As an actor on one of the biggest shows in South Africa, how do you balance telling cultural stories in a way that’s not insensitive or disrespectful?
Research and humility. You cannot assume you know everything. I approach every script with the understanding that these stories belong to the people. I rely on the directors, the writers, as well as the elders in the culture. We have a responsibility to distinguish between drama and dignity. We can show conflict and emotion, but we must never trivialise sacred practices. If a scene feels off or too exploitative, it is our duty to question it and find a truthful, respectful way to portray it.
What advice would you give young boys preparing for ulwaluko (initiation) today?
Keep an open heart and a quiet spirit.
What are your thoughts on Mzansi Magic investing in Xhosa stories and shining a spotlight on them?
It is long overdue, and it is beautiful to witness. Seeing Mzansi Magic invest in narratives like Inimba validates that our culture is not just heritage, it is mainstream relevant entertainment. It preserves our language and our customs in a modern archive that the whole country can access and learn from.
Why should people watch season 2 of Inimba and what can they learn from your character in this particular season?
In Season 2, we are raising the stakes. Family dynamics become more intense, the secrets darker, and the cultural roots run deeper. It is a story about what happens when ambition clashes with tradition. Regarding Hlathi, this season, viewers might learn about the complexity of moving forward after losing a child. My character is navigating a world where he has to prove his worth to his family.
Hlathi experiences how the consequences of his behaviour affect the people he loves the most, his children. But the question is, how far is he willing to go to protect and discipline his children?
Catch Season 2 of Inimba every weekday at 20:30 on Mzansi Magic and tune in to the premiere of Mgidi Moms on Sunday, 29 March at 18:00, with new episodes every Sunday.
Watch the trailer:
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