Nomalanga Shozi leads BET’s Black Gold as “daughter of the soil”

JOHANNESBURG — August 2025

KZN-born actress Nomalanga Shozi stars in BET Africa’s new drama Black Gold as determined heroine Amandla Zungu, calling it her most ambitious role. The local series explores betrayal and justice in South Africa’s sugarcane belt.

Shozi told Sunday World: “Amandla isn’t just a character I play, she’s a reflection of so many African women I’ve known. Strong, complex, and carrying the weight of both history and hope.” She added the character demanded her full artistic commitment.

The fictional Amandla is exiled after being falsely accused of murdering her father. She’s betrayed by her stepmother Florence (Dawn Thandeka King), who partners with her lover Tom Motsepe (Sello Maake KaNcube) to seize the family’s assets.

Set in KwaZulu-Natal’s sugarcane fields, Empangeni township and Richards Bay industrial zone, Shozi notes the province’s significance: “This role demanded… my heart. I’m proud to tell a story that feels deeply ours.”

Forced into illegal mining, Amandla fights to uncover truths and reclaim her inheritance. The drama blends English and isiZulu dialogue across landscapes showcasing rural beauty and urban tension.

Produced by BET Africa and Black Brain Productions, this female-led saga centers themes of justice and family legacy. It premieres August 18 on DStv Channel 129, airing weekdays at 18:30.