On Tuesday night, DiepCity fans were left reeling after Thandie Jele aka MaShenge unexpectedly exited the soapie.
Read More: Dawn Thandeka's Big Role In Shaka Ilembe
Read More: Dawn Thandeka's Big Role In Shaka Ilembe
Mashenge was played by Thandeka Dawn- King, who has bowed out of the popular telenovela after a two-year stint on the show. In 2021, the actress joined the show and later sustained a severe knee injury on set. In 2022, she returned to the show, but has since left it.
A heartbreaking scene played out last night as viewers watched her exit. MaShenge was shot dead and her exit hit home. In her final scene, she protected Nox from a car that appeared to fire a fatal shot at her.
Taking to Instagram she bid farewell to the show and said it was an honor playing the character. "I say goodbye to yet another amazing woman, Thandie Jele aka MaShenge, it has been an honor to be a vessel to such a powerful character, and I hope she was able to teach through her story. Thank you @blackbrain_sa for the opportunity. Thank you to my onscreen family @hamiltondhlamini @iamnozuko @luyanda_s it was truly an honor. Love you always. Thank you to the entire cast and crew of @diepcitymzansi161. Thank you to the audience that welcomed and loved MaShenge. Till we meet again," she wrote.
The actress is set to star in the upcoming highly anticipated Shaka Ilembe. Thandeke will portray the role of Shaka Zulu’s aunt Mkabayi kaJama in the drama series, who is known to be one of the most strongest women of that era. The news was confirmed by producer Bongumusa Zungu who told Daily Sun that they needed a woman of Dawn's strength to join the series.
According to the producer, Mkabayi is the one responsible for helping Shaka Zulu sit on the throne, but is also the one who plotted his death.
Reacting to the news, Dawn told the publication that this is a big role for her. “She helped kings sit on the throne and she wanted to be hands-on. So, playing this role is big for me as an artist.”
The series features a star-studded cast including Nomzamo Mbatha, who plays Queen Nandi, the revered mother of Shaka, and she also produces the show. Other members include Thembinkosi Mthembu starring as King Dingiswayo, and Wiseman Mncube in the role of King Zwide. Playing the young and old Shaka are Lemogang Tsipa (adult king) and new kid on the block Ntando Zondi (boy king).
Speaking about the series, Nomzamo Mbatha said, “I am honoured to bring the giant that is Queen Nandi to life. History will remember those who informed its people of where we come from, to better understand who we are. I am fortunate to be part of a project that is much bigger than ourselves and to tell this story in our own language. Impi iyeza!”
Image Cred: Instagram