Siphiwe Mtshali on His First Comedic Role in One Weeks

Recently hailed by Promise Twala on 702 as “one of our best comedies,” One Weeks has quickly gained popularity and is now available to binge-watch on Showmax. The show, created by Chris Q Radebe (Icala), follows the story of Fana, a charismatic high school dropout from Soweto, who finds himself dating Lihle, a successful lawyer. To navigate their relationship, he turns to Lihle’s sharp-witted 10-year-old daughter, Angie, for help, in a battle to avoid losing her to wealthier men.

The series stars Zakhele Mabasa-Mokone as Fana, Sihle Ndaba as Lihle, and Mangaliso Aluta Mthembu as Angie. Making his comedic debut in One Weeks is Siphiwe Mtshali, playing the character Smindlo, Fana’s loyal but lazy friend.

“Smindlo is such a chancer, man. He thinks he’s smarter than everyone, but that’s far from the truth. He’s basically a free-loader, riding on Fana’s dilemmas to get by. Without Fana’s troubles, Smindlo doesn’t have much going for him.”

Siphiwe laughs, reflecting on his character

Siphiwe’s portrayal of Smindlo stands out not only for his humor but also for his interactions with Angie, Fana’s young and intelligent daughter.

“Mangaliso is such a breath of fresh air; she’s incredibly talented. The banter between Smindlo and Angie was one of my favorite parts of the show. She’s so sharp with her clapbacks, and Smindlo never knows how to handle it.”

Siphiwe says

One of the most memorable moments in One Weeks comes in episode 9, when Smindlo finally gets a taste of fame with his diss track, Nomalizo. Despite its comedic nature, Nomalizo resonated with viewers, quickly becoming a fan-favorite.

“The song was a collaborative effort between myself and the creator, Chris Q Radebe. We had an idea for the track, and when we got to the studio, we just started vibing and making it something memorable.”

Siphiwe shares

Fans have expressed their enthusiasm for the song on social media, with many calling for an official release of Nomalizo.

Beyond the laughs, Siphiwe credits the show’s success to its subtle, smart writing.

“What you’ll notice with One Weeks is that we didn’t try too hard to be funny. We trusted Chris’ writing and delivered the lines in a natural way. The humor isn’t forced or over-the-top; it’s woven into the dialogue and the story.”

he says

With fans eagerly anticipating more, Siphiwe is hopeful for future seasons.

“It’s a beautiful story, and I’m crossing my fingers for a second and third season. There’s so much more to explore.”

As One Weeks continues to gain praise, it’s clear that Siphiwe Mtshali’s comedic debut has struck a chord with audiences, leaving them eagerly awaiting what comes next.

One Weeks is streaming now on Showmax, alongside other great local comedy content such as The Laugh Africa Comedy Festival and The Roast of Minnie Dlamini.