Adulting Season 1 is on Showmax
TVPlus22 March 2023

Adulting Season 1 episode 1 recap: Meet amaGents

Adulting episode 1 is a feast, but let’s start at the end, because that’s when you get the bill.

By the end of episode 1, Bonga (Thembinkosi Mthembu) has blown through close to half a million Rand. That’s R250 000 on a Mercedes G Wagon Brabus, R200 000 to bribe a crooked cop to spring his bestie Eric (Nhanhla Kunene) out of jail after he fires a gun in the middle of a rich-people party, a new phone for his mom, plus a bar bill for a “billionaire’s briefcase” of champagne and four Clase Azul Reposado Tequila bottles (R3 400 retail) at a place called Konka, which might sound like the isiZulu word for "everything", but is also Swedish for bankrupting someone!

Bonga has a shiny new R80-million construction contract in his pocket thanks to his tenderpreneur business partner, Sello (Isaac Gampu) – a man so rich that even seeing levels would mean he’s looking downward. When Bonga takes his three best friends to visit Sello’s Top Billing mansion in the final scene, each of them sees something they want … something that’s going to cause drama.

Watch the trailer for Adulting Season 1

Commitment-phobe Bonga sees the woman he wants to take home to mother, Nkanyezi (Londeka Shishi), climbing out of Sello’s swimming pool in a bikini. Carjacker and chop shop owner Eric sees a fleet of cars that Sello would surely never miss if they somehow strayed like cattle. Toyboy slay king Vuyani (Luthando ‘BU’ Mthembu) sees what it’s like to be the kind of man who goes to fashion week in Paris and buys art instead of getting pocket money and shopping trips from his indulgent politician sugar mama, Beth (Winnie Ntshaba), while appeasing her violent jealousy and abusive outbursts.

And polo shirt and vellies-wearing suburban father of two Mpho (Thabiso Rammusi) gets a taste of how sweetly relaxed life can be without pinching pennies. In other words, Money gives each of the four friends the most seductive lap dance of their lives! We can only hope she doesn’t wreck the friendship.

Ride-or-die bras

Bonga and Vuyani in Adulting S1

Bonga, Eric, Vuyani and Mpho already share something cash can’t buy – and that’s having four ride-or-die bras to fill a Brabus (honestly, why else call it that?). We see acceptance and forgiveness early in their nicknames for one another, how they stand up for one another, call each other out, and make each other laugh.

Bonga’s besties celebrate his success without jealousy, greed or expectation when they call him The Big Shot, but also acknowledge his habits with women when they call him F***boy. Eric’s nickname is Tsikitsiki when he’s awesome and Papa Action when he’s being an off-the-rails gangster with a bucket hat and a gun.

Vuyani gets teased for being a kept man but when they call him Shakira or Beyonce, he pulls out his best moves and dances along, and he’s the one who knows how to break the tension and get everyone laughing again.

And Mpho? Well, Mpho might be nagging everyone to get married and have children 24-7, but he’s the one running for backup and leaping in when the fists fly. This is brotherhood, and it’s a world away from how we see Bonga treat his drunk brother by blood, Zakhele (Brian Khumalo), when he visits his mom back home to spoil her with groceries and house plans.

Giving thanks for - and with - mothers

Bonga and his mother Thandeka in Adulting

Bonga’s bros aren’t the only ones celebrating his success. Aside from his friends, Bonga shares his celebration with two other essential people in his life: Eric’s mother MaGetty (Mam’Nandi Nyembe) and his own mother Thandeka (Deli Malinga). The guys have just hit 30 – they’re just one year off from being the Born Free generation. But their mothers grew up in a wildly different world, with far narrower horizons. To them, Bonga’s newfound wealth is a gift from a higher power, something a fickle god or government could take back unless they give thanks.

Eric and Mpho as fathers

Eric and his daughter Ncumisa in Adulting

As for the fathers, so far in the Adulting world there are just two: Eric, who lands in jail for kidnapping his teenaged daughter Ncumisa (Siphesihle Khanyile) when her mom, his ex-love Natasha (Sikelelwa Vuyeleni), leaves her at home and goes partying with her rich, politically connected boyfriend Cyril Nyathi (Fezile Mkhize).

And Mpho, who’s stealing time from his own two little sons and his unsuspecting wife Zithulele (Lungile Duma) to blow off sexual tension with his mistress Palesa (Dippy Padi). Mpho might love his little rascals and he’s ever-ready to lead them in an Amapiano dance party, but their private school fees have him on a choke chain.

More money, better hunnies?

The four brothers in Adulting S1

In episode 1, Adulting’s creators, Tshedza Pictures’ Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon, have set up an intriguing portrait of South African men in their 30s, and their tension with women and money. In these four friends’ world, the more money you have, the higher the “quality” is of the women you can pursue for sex (as seen in the contrast between the hunnies at Konka and the ones the guys turn their noses up at when drinks are on Vuyani).

It’s a world in which a woman is only “yours” until a richer man comes along – as seen with Eric’s tale of woe. And it cuts both ways when we see Bonga offload his “cheap” sexpot mistress of six months without blinking the instant that he spots “classy” Nkanyezi. But Adulting doesn’t give us a black-and-white world of Blessers and Slay Queens. The lines already blur in Eric’s fatherly adoration of his daughter, and in Bonga’s respect and reverence for his own and Eric’s mothers. What else will Adulting show them?

Meet the cast of Adulting

Adulting on Showmax

Thembinkosi Mthembu plays Bonga

Adulting on Showmax

Luthando 'BU' Mthembu plays Vuyani

Adulting on Showmax

Thabiso Rammusi plays Mpho

Adulting on Showmax

Nhlanhla Kunene plays Eric

All episodes of Adulting are ready to binge on Showmax.

More romantic series to stream online »

Share:

More like this

Mobland S1 is on Showmax

MobLand S1

Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan propel this gripping, gritty crime drama series that follows two powerful families engaged in an intense power struggle.

MobLand on Showmax

Big mobs, small jobs: 10 crime series to stream on Showmax

Not everybody can be the Godfather. From MobLand to The Cleaning Lady to Gangs of London, we look at 11 small but essential jobs that take care of the organising behind organised crime. 

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa.jpg

Must-watch trailer: The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa brings together Housewives from across the continent, landing on Showmax on 28 November 2025.

OriginalMade in South Africa
The Real Housewives of Potomac S10 on Showmax

The Real Housewives of Potomac S9-10

The reality series follows several well-to-do women who live in a community of rolling hills and gated mansions in Potomac.

First
The Paper S1 on Showmax

From The Office to The Paper

As The Office’s OG documentary crew gets a new business in their crosshairs, we expose the connections between these two workplace mockumentaries.

First
Michael C Hall as Dexter in Dexter: Resurrection

Dexter's deadly to-do list in Dexter: Resurrection

Dexter’s son Harrison “killed” him in the finale of Dexter: New Blood. But he’s back from the dead and on a mission: tie up loose ends.

Spinnes S2 on Showmax

Clementine Mosimane, Mondli Makhoba and Luyanda Zwane join Spinners S2

Clementine Mosimane, Mondli Makhoba and Luyanda Zwane join the cast of Spinners for Season 2, coming to CANAL+ platforms, DStv and Showmax.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Black Bag is on Showmax

Inside spy movie Black Bag

Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp give us a top-secret peek inside their new spy movie Black Bag.

No one tells a story like a local

There's a reason The Wife's Qhaledi is Mzansi's favourite couple

Latest Stories

Bafana Bafana live on Showmax Premier League

Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe

Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League

Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight's Portia Baloyi on the reunion and her ex

Slay Queens on Showmax

Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

Catch the fiery battle between Chelsea and Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League

The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

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

Chasing the Sun 2 on Showmax

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

A still from Finding Optel showing Claire looking through binoculars

What to watch on Showmax in October 2025

Catch Newcastle v Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League on Sunday, 28 September at 17:30

The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

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

Thelma on Showmax

June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma

Catch the blockbuster Premier League weekend live on Showmax Premier League.

Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Gerard Butler as 'Big Nick' O'Brien and O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Donnie Wilson in Den of Thieves 2: Panthera. Photo Credit: Rico Torres.

Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

Lunathi Mampofu in Levels Season 1 on Mzansi Magic

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax

Catch the London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham live on Showmax Premier League.

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

Catch the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, live on Showmax Premier League.

Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running

Catch the Manchester Derby live on Showmax Premier League.

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

The Brutalist on Showmax

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist

Catch all five episodes of Giants on Showmax now!

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

Vaal Riviera is on Showmax

Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window

Finding Optel on Showmax

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival

Youngins S3 on Showmax

Simo Magwaza on his challenging role as De Klerk in Youngins