Mpumi Mpama as Khaya Bhodoza in Empini Season 2
Xabiso Ngqabe27 May 2025

5 explosive moments from Empini Season 2 so far

If you thought Empini Season 1 was intense, you’ll need to brace yourself for Season 2, which cranks up the heat with more secrets, betrayals, and jaw-dropping twists.  

The drama series features standout performances from Nambitha Ben-Mazwi (named Best Actress at the 2024 National Film and Television Awards) as Ndoni, bringing raw emotion and ruthless fire to a series where loyalty is currency and danger is always two steps away. 

Empini S2 on Showmax

She stars alongside Mpumi Mpama and Angela Sithole as Khaya and Winnie Bhodoza, with SAFTA winner Charmaine Mtinta as Ndoni’s mother, and Ernest Ndlovu as Deputy President Enoch. Also watch out for Sparky Xulu as Zenzele, with Nqobile Sipamla playing her mother, Masasa. The stacked cast also includes Amahle Khumalo as Nosi Bhodoza, Joseph Sedibo as Mkhonto Bhodoza, Sandile Mahlangu as Jabulani, Terrence Ngwila as Thobani and Mandisa Nduna as Mbali.

Watch the trailer for Empini S2 

This season pulls no punches. Power, love, revenge, and family politics all collide – and the result is nothing short of explosive. Here are five wild moments that put Empini S2 at the top of the list of the most gripping local dramas on Showmax right now. 

1. The return of Khaya Bhodoza (Season 2, episodes 1–2

Empini S2 on Showmax

Just when everyone thought Khaya Bhodoza was dead and buried, he walks back into everyone’s lives like nothing happened. Not metaphorically. Literally. A whole funeral was held. Coffin, tears, everything. And now this man has the audacity to be alive? Our jaws are on the floor. 

After the chaos of the shootout that closed Season 1, we see Ndoni stumble through grief, trauma, and the fragments of a truth she’s dangerously close to exposing. Mzoxolo is gone, leaving Masasa and Zenzele in mourning. Khaya’s reappearance throws Ndoni into emotional chaos and leaves his wife Winnie shocked and scrambling to explain things to the MPS team and political allies.  

2. Affairs, secrets, and heart-stopping tension (Season 2, episode 5

Empini S2 on Showmax

In a moment that redefines awkwardness, Ndoni discovers that her former flame, Jabulani (Sandile Mahlangu), is now sleeping with Nosipho, who happens to be married to Uhuru. Yes. You read that right. 

Episode 5 is where family loyalty, betrayal, and scandal crash into each other, creating a scene so tense you’ll forget to breathe. The Bhodoza family may run a security empire, but their personal lives? Dangerously exposed. 

3. Mkhonto’s big swing (Season 2, episode 14

Empini S2 on Showmax

Mkhonto steps out of the shadows and into the family business with a bold plan, wanting to prove he’s more than a black sheep. He ropes in Sbamu and Vutha for a flashy operation that could change everything for MPS. 

But nothing in Empini goes smoothly. One night of partying drags the Bhodoza name through the mud in a PR disaster, and, in a defining moment, Mkhonto is forced to clean up the chaos – or risk losing the fragile respect he’s just begun to earn.  

4. Vows, violence and the forbidden fruit (Season 2, episodes 11–17

Winnie, the ever-resilient wife, is ready to reconnect with her husband and renew their wedding vows. But Khaya’s been hiding out with his first love, Masasa, and, surprise surprise – the two are still very into each other. 

Wait, it gets messier: Winnie, grieving and lonely after Khaya's "death”, found comfort in Striker (Jacques da Silva), an MPS employee who didn't mind mixing business with pleasure. Zenzele eventually learns about Masasa and Khaya, and decides to confront both, shutting that door hard. But Masasa is shattered when Zenzele gives a heartfelt speech at the vow renewal. It’s the kind of heartbreak you don’t get over easily. 

5. Cold revenge, served with a smile (Season 2, episodes 17–24

Revenge is a dish best served chilled – or in this case, spiked. After Dingane confesses to Khaya that Winnie and Striker were having an affair, Khaya doesn’t spiral. He calculates. He watches. He waits. And he does something... cold.  

Khaya invites Striker out for a drink, wanting to know more about the affair he had with his wife. Hours later, Striker meets up with Winnie, and as the two become intimate, he has a heart attack. In a panic and unsure of what to do, Winnie calls the only person she thinks can help: Khaya. He tells her there’s no need to involve the authorities – unless, of course, she’s ready to explain the affair and the circumstances surrounding Striker’s condition. Instead, he offers her a way out: let him deal with Striker’s body in exchange for staying in the marriage. 

Winnie agrees and walks away, placing her trust in Khaya, but whether that trust is well-placed remains to be seen. The bigger question now is, what exactly did Khaya do with Striker, and is he still alive? 

Watch new episodes of Empini S2 every Tuesday, only on Showmax. 

Share:

More like this

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Relebogile Mabotja to host the two-hour Married at First Sight reunion special

Married at First Sight S3 wraps with a two-hour reunion special, hosted by Relebogile Mabotja, on Sunday, 5 October on Mzansi Magic and Showmax.

South Africa
Chasing the Sun 2 on Showmax

South Africa in third place at International Emmys, with four MultiChoice nominations

Stream all four International Emmy-nominated series Koek, School Ties, Chasing the Sun 2, and Catch Me a Killer on Showmax.

Made in South Africa
Love Island Games S1 on Showmax

Love Island Games S1-2

Former Islanders from across the globe return to Fiji for a chance at finding love and bagging $100 000.

First
Finding Optel is on Showmax

Finding Optel's Zenobia Kloppers on her breakout year

Zenobia Kloppers talks about Finding Optel, which is having its international premiere at BFI London Film Festival and comes to Showmax on 24 October.

Original South Africa
Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight: Themba on his "stunning" wife Nelisa

Episode 12 of Married at First Sight South Africa delivered some shocking news - will Themba and Nelisa make it through? Stream it now on Showmax.

South Africa
The Unbreakable Boy on Showmax

The Unbreakable Boy (2025)

Zachary Levi stars in this heartfelt, inspiring film based on a real-life story of a family caring for their autistic son with brittle bone disease.

Thelma on Showmax

Thelma (2024)

Scammers meet their match in Thelma, played by June Squibb: after getting duped, the 93-year-old sets out to reclaim what was taken from her.

Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love is on Showmax

Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love (2023)

Filmed in Boston, Emmy-winning comedian Sarah Silverman returns with her second comedy special for HBO since 2013.

Laugh Africa Comedy Festival S2 on Showmax

Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax