Gold Diggers is e.tv’s newest telenovela which tells a story about an aging miner, Patrick Gumede, who enters the dark and dangerous world of illegal mining.
Gold Diggers is a gritty story which brings key issues affecting the South African working class to the fore. It explores the various dynamics of love, money, family feuds, corruption and economically motivated relationships, against the strong backdrop of the mining industry. The telenovela carries a gripping storyline with a flood of twists and turns. The telenovela is brought to life by a very powerful cast made up of industry veterans and young, upcoming actors who have great zest for telling local stories.
Meet the main characters, the Gumede family on Gold Diggers
Patrick Gumede (played by Mbongeni Ngema)
From an early age, Patrick knew that he’ll be a miner. He’s in a polygamous marriage with two wives, Ruth and May who don’t quite get along. Patrick spends a lot of time working away from home and to make ends meet he enters the world of illegal mining.
Ruth Gumede (played by Clementine Mosimane)
Ruth is Patrick’s first wife. She uses muthi to protect herself from Patrick’s second wife, May (played by Tina Jaxa), because she believes May is spiteful. Despite this, caring comes naturally to Ruth and her compassion becomes her weakness sometimes.
May Gumede (played by Tina Jaxa)
May is Patrick’s second wife. She is a street-smart hustler who’ll cross the line if it benefits her and she has little respect for rules or for anyone for that matter.
Big Boy Gumede (played by Zuluboy)
Big Boy is Patrick and Ruth’s first born son. He is a proud, protective, impetuous and a determined hard-working miner. He is also loyal to his family and lover, a prostitute called Nandipha. His goal is to secure Nandipha’s freedom from her pimp, Gideon, so that they can be together.
Ronald Gumede (played by Thabo Malema)
Ronald is Patrick Gumede’s second child with his first wife Ruth. Ronald couldn’t go work in the mines because he has problems with his knee, so he works on the farm and looks after his family instead. He is in an arranged marriage to Hlengiwe whom he’s grown to love a lot.
Lucky Gumede (played by Mpho Sibeko)
Lucky is intelligent, charming and he has brains – he could easily be an A-student, yet all Lucky wants is freedom. He refuses to study further and is constantly challenging authority. He gets along with Hlengiwe who listens to him. He’s actually a very kind and caring person too.
Olwethu Gumede played by (Zimkhitha Nyoka)
Olwethu is wise. She speaks the truth, has the ability to see through people and always tries to find a solution to the problem. Everyone loves to confide in her but she gets hurt when her caring is mistaken for being nosey.
Hlengiwe Gumede – Fikile Mthwalo
Hlengiwe is a traditional, respectful woman with little to say, but so much to give if she can find her voice. She feels pressured by Ronald’s mom Ruth, who wants a grandchild and therefore is having a hard time falling pregnant.
Will you be watching? Who do you think your favourite character will be?
