Avid Uzalo viewers have been asking a lot of questions following an April teaser which saw one of their favourite characters Mxolisi, played by Nay Maps.
The teaser had fans of the SABC1 telenovela excited at the possibility of seeing their favourite Kwa-Mashu thug on their screen once again, but now we are in the month of May and still no Mxolisi.
Read next: Emtee Warns Big Xhosa
The teaser had fans of the SABC1 telenovela excited at the possibility of seeing their favourite Kwa-Mashu thug on their screen once again, but now we are in the month of May and still no Mxolisi.
Read next: Emtee Warns Big Xhosa
It’s been seven years since the hit soapie debuted and the producers wanted to shake things up for their 7th season by bringing back the show's much-loved characters including Mastermind, played by TK Dlamini; GC, played by Khaya Dladla and Thobile, played by Nokuthula Mabika. This, according to reports, was a strategy by the soapie's producers to increase viewership after a warning from the channel following a significant drop when the year began.
The enigmatic duo comprised of Mxolisi and Mastermind was set to reunite once again to pull off what promises to be the biggest heist Kwa-Mashu has ever seen. However, only Mastermind returned, and only for three episodes, but there was no sight of Mxolisi.
According to the show's spokesperson Nomfundo Zondi, the teasers were written before the scenes were shot and the actor's busy schedule clashed with theirs. She further explained that, like Mastermind, Mxolisi would've returned for only a few episodes.
"Just like Mastermind (Ntokozo "TK" Dlamini), he was going to help MaNgcobo (Dawn Thandeka King) with her heist. We had an agreement with Nay Maps but his busy schedule clashed with the time at which he was due for a shoot. We had to make changes in the storyline. It's not like we took our viewers for a ride. Nay Maps was too busy. His busy schedule couldn't allow him to come for a shoot," Nomfundo told Daily Sun.
She added that the situation was the same with Kay Sibiya who played the character of Ayanda on Uzalo. Due to his current role on Generations: The Legacy, the actor could not return to shoot with the KZN-based soapie.
"It was the same thing with Kay. He's busy so we couldn't get him. But these characters were going to appear for a short time. It was not a long-term thing," she said.
Viewers of the show were already unhappy with the news of MaNgcobo's departure, a role played by actress Dawn Thandeka King.
The actress shared a tear-jearking video on her Instagram of her last scene on Uzalo. In the video, an emotional MaNgcobo is surrounded by her troops as she gives a speech and thanks them one last time before running away to Mozambiqueto hide.
"And so today my journey on @uzalo_sabc1 comes to an end
Thank you for the love you have all shown to MaNgcobo, ningadinwa nangomuso.
Thank you @stainedglasstv1 for the opportunity, I have you to thank for the break through...
"Closing yet another chapter in order to begin again...." she wrote.
Dawn Thandeka King joined Mzansi Magic's new telenovela Diep City which replaced Isibaya.
Read next: TNS Admits He Is An Abuser
Image credit: Instagram