Roomies S1 and the 8 worst housemates on Showmax

Just friends, no benefits! That’s the roomies promise as 20-somethings Naledi Modise (Felix Mlangeni), Nsika Nxele (Unathi Mkhize) Abza Mdoda (Mbasa Msongelo), and Tsholo Nkoli (Nomalanga Shozi) move in together, map out their futures, and take their first shaky steps in the adult world of responsibilities. One step forward, two steps back. With such wildly different personalities, the tension between men and women, and Abza’s bestie Themba Zawane (Ishmauel Songo) always hanging around, can they make it work? 

Since we love to sprinkle a little lighter fluid on a bonfire, we looked at the Roomies mix, then went through our Showmax Originals to find eight more of the most problematic roomies ever. Now pick one to share the rent!

Binge Roomies S1 on Showmax now.

Watch the trailer for Roomies

Meet the Roomies

Naledi is the girl next door. She’s chill, she’s cool, she’s laid back. Her family expected her to be a doctor or a lawyer but she wants to become a chef. While her taste in clothes is questionable, and her taste in men is worse (one day she’s ironing his clothes, the next day he’s marrying another woman), her taste in food is impeccable. Naledi is a chef on the rise like a beautiful soufflé, and her roommates get to reap the rewards with their forks. 

Nsika is our lover boy. But Mr Entitlement is guarding his heart these days … and his wallet, since he’s permanently broke. The face card never declines; the bank card, alas, has no such scruples. Nsika is the roommate most likely to break the rules when it comes to crossing the line with the ladies. But maybe not with the lady you’d think he’d choose. 

Abza would call himself street smart, and by that he means that he’s always looking for the worst in situations and people. He feels trapped by life, and he’ll kick up a fuss if a woman tells him what to do (but he’ll tuck his tail in fast if that lady, or landlady, is his mom). This is the kind of broke boy who accuses women of being gold diggers, and for what gold, sir? But he’s a ride-or-die. Now … if he’d just stop leaving a million grooming products all over the bathroom. 

Tsholo is Nsika’s bestie and she’s what you get when mom’s a church lady, but you’re born to be an Olympic gold medal hottie. She’s fun, bubbly, outgoing, spicy and sassy, all in one lively package. When the guys step out of line, Tsholo will be the one reeling them in. And if you think she’s superficial, maybe that’s more of a reflection on you for not seeing past her thirst posts on Instagram. A girl’s gotta eat.

Themba is Abza’s bucket-hat-wearing bestie and the unofficial fifth wheel in the flat. Lately he’s had to fix his attitude, stop acting as if he has good life insurance, and grow up, because he’s a single dad to a baby daughter. If a baby won’t chase off the ladies, Themba’s babymama, Rorisang (Kgaogelo Monama), will. Take liberties, and she’ll snatch off your wig and use it to wash cars.

Our 8 worst roommates

What could bind four (or five) such different people together? Throw in someone for everyone to gang up on, because they’re The Undisputed Worst. These eight characters from local series aren’t serial killers, but they might turn you into one! Check out our most problematic potential roommates, along with their silver linings.

1. Dam Seasons 1-2: Yola

Want to be roomies with the daughter of a rape-and-murder cult leader? You’ll love Yolanda “Yola” Fisher (Lea Vivier). Not only does she bring a dodgy, permanently sweaty vibe with her, you can expect your water bill to soar! Yola has a special connection to a local river monster – Mamlambo – who communicates by whispering through water pipes, making knocking sounds, and turning the water nasty colours with pond scum and weeds. You’ll never be able to trust a cup of tea again. 

Silver lining: She might share her inappropriately strong psychiatric meds.

2. Youngins Season 1: Buhle 

It might soothe head girl Buhle’s (Kealeboga Masango) hyper-competitive soul to know that she’s top of our list … of people from the Olifantsfontein High School boarding house to avoid. This preacher’s daughter and head girl is also the school’s mean girl. She does not want anyone in “her” space and she’s not afraid to say that to your face. But once she’s stuck with you, expect to get permanently sexiled, so that she can keep her boyfriends in line with the promise of a daily forbidden “treat”. She’ll also vanish at the first sign of trouble – if she doesn’t push you in the fire to save herself first.

Silver lining: Access to her wardrobe and considerable makeover skills.

3. Adulting Seasons 1-2: Mpho

This is a tough one! Hijacker Eric (Nhlanhla Kunene) would constantly have the cops knocking at your door, his daughter lives up to her loud and annoying nickname, “Mosquito” (Siphesihle Khanyile), and his girlfriends are even louder. But he isn’t too proud to cook and clean. It’s his pal Mpho (Thabiso Isaac Rammusi) who seems to think he’s above it all. Aside from washing his car, he isn’t going to lift a finger unless you nag like it’s your full-time job – and then he’ll give you attitude about it! So if you want a guy who’ll vegetate on the couch and watch football, look no further. Just don’t expect a deep conversation.

Silver lining: His friends, at least, are hot, well connected, have great taste and major skills.

4. The Wife Seasons 1-3: Mqhele

With eight Zulu brothers under one roof these guys have become the masters of being good housemates – to each other. There’s cooking, cleaning, discipline, and you will never struggle to catch a taxi (you just might not survive the ride). Outside of the family, all bets are off. But if we had to pick the one who’d be the most difficult to live with, we’d call out Mqhele (Bonko Khoza), because with this wall-punching stalker around, you’re not getting your security deposit back. 

Silver lining: The Zulu brothers are a hot guy smorgasbord. It’s time to drop that “no fooling around with roommates” rule. 

5. One Weeks Season 1: Fana

This entire sitcom revolves as much around Fana’s (Zakhele Mabasa-Mokone) failures as a responsible roommate as it does about his efforts to prove himself to his love, Lihle (Sihle Ndaba). Reading makes his brain hurt, and he’s always the loudest man in the room, even when he knows the least. He’ll lie if he thinks you’re going to be cross with him for any reason. And this class clown is a supreme shenaniganizer, so expect him to vanish like smoke when the rent is due, because he had this brilliant scheme, you see. PS: RIP to your ears if he decides to sing in the shower. 

Silver lining: He’s a solid gold sweetheart, funny, and always a good friend – even when his friends are terrible people like Smindlo and Ginger (played by Siphiwe Mtshali and Mpho Malatsi, they’re a package deal). 

6. Wyfie Seasons 1-2: Wilmien

At Eike University’s Pantera res, it is a known fact that Mia (Mienke Ehlers) is the kind of selfish little trust fund baby who’ll drink your milk and put the empty bottle back in the fridge. But we’d still rather share a dorm room with her snack-stealing ass than with Wilmien (Marguerite van Eeden), a live-to-complain Karen in training. Wilmien thinks she has the right to dictate everyone else’s social status, and revels in the rules that keep her tushy warm and firmly planted on the top of the heap. She’s (shocked gasp) not a girl’s girl. 

Silver lining: If you can make her use her evil powers for good, there’s nobody better to get on the phone and demand service delivery. Your landlord will be afraid of you!

7. Ekhaya Backpackers Season 1: Uncle Mayor

In this sitcom, an eccentric Soweto family runs an illegal backpackers to pay off their late mothers debts, so it’s always a full house. Uncle Malume Mayor (Felix Hlope) might be the most difficult family member to live with. He was an A-student in school but lacked the drive to do anything with his intelligence aside from finding new ways to loaf all day. He’s a fly by night, fly by the seat of your pants kind of guy. If Ekhaya Backpackers was real, Uncle Mayor would be sweating at the sight of the S’khipa Amafiles camera van. 

Silver lining: Like Aladdin, he’ll always come up with a plan to keep you one step ahead of the flames, but you’re going to feel the burn.

8. Tali’s Wedding/Baby/Joburg Diary: Tali

Oh, so you want an insufferable influencer as a roommate? Be our guest. Daddy’s princess Tali likes a clean house, but she’s not going to clean it herself. Can you even imagine? She will pick one weak-willed housemate to become her minion so she can delegate everything to them. On top of this, Tali is the queen of whining, moaning and sounding off – her “good vibes only” side is just for the ‘gram. Then there’s that voice. The neighbours’ dogs complain about her yapping all day.

Silver lining: Her rent will be paid. Thank you, daddy’s money. Better have that on debit order, though. Tali loves to spend, spend, spend.

Binge Roomies S1 on Showmax now.