She’s bubbly and joyful, always ready with a smile, and a conspiratorial wink … because if anyone’s going to make sure you get to rendezvous with that handsome young man from “next door”, it’s going to be Shaka iLembe’s Piklile.

But it’s not always sunshine and smiles for Piklile either. She faces a tough moment when she is forced to distance herself from her best friend Nandi, first when the latter falls pregnant and later again when she returns to eLangeni.

Piklike, who has married Nandi’s brother, has been forbidden to talk to her bestie. But both prove to be exemplary friends: Piklile finds a moment to talk to Nandi and explain her situation, and Nandi – even though it’s difficult – accepts that she cannot put her friend in a tough spot. Nandi herself is in a tough enough spot already without making things awkward for her friend. Instead, these women stand together in solidarity emotionally, while they’re forced to be apart physically.

Piklike is played to perfection by Ziya Xulu. This beautiful young woman is more than just an actress, she’s also a singer, songwriter, and radio presenter. And may we add style icon to that list too please, because we are loving the looks we’re seeing on her IG, including the fab flair she displayed at the Shaka iLembe premiere. Check it out.

Missed Ziya Xulu in Shaka iLembe? Catch her in the show by catching up on the first seven episodes with DStv here. You can also watch a repeat of the latest episode, Fridays at 21:30.

Make sure you tune in every Sunday at 20:00 on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) for new episodes or stream live from the DStv App via web or mobile.

For more info on the series, produced by the acclaimed Bomb Productions, visit the show page here or follow #ShakaiLembeMzansi on social media. Shaka iLembe is headline sponsored by Telkom. Associate sponsors are Grant’s Whisky and LottoStar, while tactical sponsors are Santam and Toyota SA.