Fans of one of SABC 2 longest-running soapies Muvhango were put through the wringer this past week. This is as the fans of the beloved TshiVenda soapie were tasked with bidding farewell to one of the beloved and longest-running characters in the world of the story as Gabriel Temudzani as Azwindini was marking his exit from the soapie.
As reported following the formal statement by the soapie and the channel:
Gabriel Temudzani…has been with the soapie since 2000 as Azwindini Mukwevho. Introduced as the eldest son of the late chief, for over two decades the county has seen the Chief of Thathe claim, fall from grace and reclaim his chieftaincy.
While his character has been a signpost of the soapie. Similar to his fiction and real-life love story with vho-Susan actress Maumela Mahuwa. It seems that viewers will have to bid their final farewell to the character and the actor as SABC 2 has confirmed his exit.
Azwindini’s Gabriel Temudzani leaving Muvhango after 23 years
SABC 2 released the official statement confirming the exit of the Great Chief of Thathe Azwindini Mukwevho, played by Gabriel Temudzani, after 23 years of playing the beloved character. This comes after the story was broken by entertainment commentator Phil Mphela.
But it seems that all of the week’s furore over his exit might have been to up views while playing a ruse on viewers. This is as it seems that Gabriel did not leave the world of the story and is set to make an imminent return to Muvhango in the future.
SABC 2’s Muvhango lied about Azwindini’s exit…
Phil Mphela was behind breaking the story that Gabriel Temudzani was leaving Muvhango. Therefore, it serves as poetic justice that he would be the one to confirm that the matter was all a lie.
This comes as Phil shared his own shock at finding out that Temudzani was not in fact leaving the soapie.
So … what’s with the amateurish gimmicks?
Yes the press release and news of Azwindini’s exit garnered media and viewers attention, but at what cost?
Are ratings that bad that the production would put their credibility on the line to score 2 episode ratings bump?
However, all of this past week’s press run and story was all in an attempt to drum up viewers similar to how Generations: The Legacy used the return of Karabo and Tau to have the same impact.
However, while it might have not worked for Generations: The Legacy, it seemingly worked for Muvhango as social media saw the soapie trend over all the returning past beloved characters and fascination storyline surrounding Vhangani.
But while the general public might have been surprised at the real-life plot twist which took place on the soapie. It seems that Gabriel already knew of his imminent return to the world of the story. This is as he had already teased the fact on his Instagram timeline when a follower suggested that he could return as a ghost similar to how it was done with the original Chief of Thathe.
