MTV Shuga 5 Cast Revealed!

Shugafam! In the run-up to World AIDS Day, we are proud to reveal the cast for MTV Shuga in South Africa…

We are SO excited to announce that Vanessa Mdee, Thuso Mbedu, Mohau Mokoatle Cele, Jezriel Skei, Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Nick Mutuma and Adesua Etomi are heading up our amazing crew for the fifth series of MTV Shuga.

Following on from four seasons in Kenya and Nigeria, we are coming to Mzansi in a BIG way! Drama, Music, Love, Sex; MTV Shuga has it all. Underneath all of that though, MTV Shuga’s stories focus on real issues that affect real people.

At the core of our brand, sexual health, reproductive health, and social issues take centre stage. Young girls in South Africa have a lot on their plate, with research showing that they are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection and unplanned pregnancies. For a girl, the years between 15 and 24 are considered the most dangerous time for them to contract HIV. These are issues that need to be explored and tackled head on, which is exactly what we’ll be doing with the help of our dope cast!

Tanzanian superstar Vanessa Mdee will be flexing her skills as “Storm” – a dissatisfied trophy wife with a wandering eye.  Also joining our fam is “Scandal!” actor Thuso Mbedo, who will play the role of Ipeleng, an ambitious schoolgirl who’s raising her little brother after the death of their mum. 17-year old Jezriel Skei, best known for his award-winning performance in “Four Corners” (2013), will rock the super-macho soccer look as “Q”.

Setting sail in the cool clubs, chilled spots and local schools of Braamfontein and the made-up township of ‘Zenzele’, MTV Shuga will welcome back our crew since day dot. Lovebirds Ikubese Emmanuel Ifeanyi, known for his role as ‘Femi’: a Nigerian music promoter who’s been living with HIV for 4 years, and Adesua Etomi, playing the role of ‘Sheila’, are touching down in South Africa for the new season.

Also returning to her hometown is Mzansi’s own Mohau Mokoatle Cele. Cele will be playing the role of a frustrated teenage singer called ‘Bongi’, whilst MTV Shuga veteran, Nick Mutuma, will be heading down south as ‘Leo’ tries to escape his troubled past.  

Catch the premiere of MTV Shuga on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and BET (DStv channel 129), as well as other broadcasters, MTV networks and third party broadcasters around the world from 8 March 2017.

As always, the MTV Shuga Campaign is coming at you with a radio drama series, peer educator programme, comic book, mobile information service, social media and a range of digital platforms.

To stay in the loop, hit us up on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or visit our website for the latest news about the upcoming season.

South Africa, we’re coming for you!