Fashioning Modern Africanism

Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku stars as Sihle Biyela in the hit new Showmax Original  Outlaws , which is currently at #1 on the streamer’s Top 20.  From Tshedza Pictures ( Adulting ,  The River ,  The Republic ), the modern-day Western tells the story of two families at war with each other: the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyela clan and the Basotho, cattle-raiding Ts’eoles.  To say Nirvana is showbiz royalty is an understatement. She is the daughter of legendary musos Bheki Mseleku and Tu Nokwe; her aunt is Mango Groove vocalist Marilyn Nokwe; and her grandparents are Durban thespian Alfred Nokwe and opera singer Patty Masuku. Nirvana started singing professionally when she was just four years old - with the likes of Mam Busi Mhlongo and Bra Hugh Masekela.  While she’s been on screen before, including playing Mbali in the International Emmy-nominated crime series  Reyka ,  Outlaws  is her breakthrough lead role. We spoke to the multi-talented artist to find out more.  What attracted you to this role?

Now streaming on Showmax,  Outlaws  is the story of two families at war with each other: the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyela clan and the Basotho, cattle-raiding Ts’eoles.  South Africa’s first modern day Western series,  Outlaws  is created by Tshedza Pictures’   Phathu  Makwarela  and Gwydion Beynon, who’ve won five Best Scriptwriting SAFTAs in the past four years for smash-hit shows like  The Republic  and  The River , which was also nominated for an International Emmy.  Outlaws  is Tshedza’s second Showmax Original, building on the success of  Adulting , which set a record for the most first-day views of any drama on the streaming service.   Fresh faces Lehlohonolo Mayeza and Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku co-star as Leruo Ts’eole and Sihle Biyela. Also look out for two-time SAFTA nominee Siyabonga Shibe ( Shaka iLembe ,  The Wife, Gaz’lam ) as the Biyela patriarch and Mmabatho Mogomotsi (Snowey in  Yizo Yizo ) as the Ts’eole matriarch, not to mention the likes of SAFTA winner Nolwazi Shange (

The KZN-born actress shot to fame as Precious in  A Place Called Home,  which earned her a SAFTA as Best Actress in a TV Drama. For more than a decade since, she has given us incredible performances in some of the most celebrated content in Mzansi, including SAFTA-nominated performances as Ntombi in  Intersexions  and Dezi in  Otelo Burning . More recently, she played Sibongile, the villain we loved to hate in  Mzali Wam , and had viewers on the edge of their seats as Mbali Khubeka on  Scandal!  She’s not only a star in front of the camera but is also involved with casting for some of Mzansi’s hit shows and movies. Premiering next Wednesday, 6 September 2023 on Showmax,  Outlaws  co-stars Nolwazi Shange as Nandi, the strong-willed matriarch of the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyela clan, who are at war with the Basotho, cattle-raiding Ts'eoles.  We caught up with the Durban University of Technology alum about her role in  Outlaws  and how she has remained consistent with every role she pl