The Polygamist_ — 10/10. South Africa’s Best Thriller. Oscar Deserves to Know Its Name

Mpho Dube
2 hours ago
3 min read

Best of the Best: The cast of Netflix’s The Polygamist at the official premiere. Led by S’dumo Mtshali and Gugu Gumede, the ensemble delivered 10/10 performances in Sue Nyathi’s adaptation. With flawless production, directing, and props, the series is being hailed as Oscar-worthy and South Africa’s most powerful thriller to date.

Rating: 10/10

Streaming now on Netflix

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

AZANIAFROCOMEDIA – The Catalyst of Impact

I watched it. I liked it. Actually, let me correct that: I loved it. The Polygamist is beautiful. It’s the best ever.

This Netflix thriller, adapted from Sue Nyathi’s novel, is not just a series. It’s a statement. Production, directing, props, writing — everything. The team has done exceptionally well. This is award-winning work. International awards. Oscars. This is the best of the best.

Jonasi Gomora is a self-made CEO with a kingdom built on secrets. His public life is power suits and charity galas. His private life is wives, mistresses, and lies. When the empire cracks, it doesn’t fall quietly. It takes everyone with it.

But this isn’t just about polygamy. It’s about fatherlessness, greed, and what happens when Black excellence forgets its soul.

The main actor — S’dumo Mtshali as Jonasi Gomora — is phenomenal. He doesn’t just play the character. He becomes him. You see the charm, the danger, the rot. Mtshali told the media: “This character is not to be celebrated because the things that he does, they're bad!” He made sure you feel that. No excuses. No glamour. Just truth.

Gugu Gumede as Joyce Gomora is devastating. She holds up a perfect marriage with hands that are shaking. She said: “This is a story that's true to so many South African households.” You believe her, because she lives every second of it.

The rest of the cast came to work. Kwanele Mthethwa as Matipa. Celeste Ntuli as Essie. Luyanda Zwane as Lindani — who delivers the line that gutted Mzansi: “You want to stay in Soweto? I don't want to end up here, I want another life.” Zwane, from Umlazi herself, said she “ran as far as I could from the hood” to make something of herself. That lived experience is on screen.

Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Kenneth Nkosi, Noluthando Shabalala, Wonder Ndlovu, Lwazie Keith Tshebesha, Vuyo Biyela — every actor and actress played their role very well. No small parts. No wasted scenes.

Even the brother — the man forced to protect Jonasi because without him he’s “out in the cold” — will break your heart. He starts as a shadow. He ends as a man. That arc alone deserves awards.

Why It’s 10/10

1. Directing: Tight, unforgiving, and intentional. No scene is there for decoration. Every frame pushes the knife deeper.

2. Production: From the Soweto streets to the Sandton penthouses, the world is real. Props, costumes, music — all authentic.

3. Writing: Sue Nyathi’s story is adapted with respect and fire. The dialogue sounds like your family. The pain sounds like your street.

4. Themes: Fatherlessness. Blessers. Generational trauma. The pressure to escape the hood. The cost of keeping up appearances. This show says what we whisper.

5. Impact: Rated 18 for sexual violence references, domestic abuse, language, and sexual conduct. It’s emotional. It’s scandalous. It’s necessary.

The Verdict

The Polygamist deserves to win. Oscars. SAFTAs. International Emmys. Everything. This is not just the best South African drama on Netflix. This is the best thriller of the year, period. The main characters have done well. They portray the characters well. The entire team — from grips to directors — has done exceptionally well. It’s awesome. It’s amazing. It’s award winning.

I give it 10 out of 10.