Sunday, 3 December, was supposed to start off on a spectacular note for The Road actress and newly appointed OPW presenter, Thembisa Mdoda, as she was about to make her presenting debut on Mzansi Magic’s most loved reality show.
However, her spotlight was dimmed hours before the show when her ex Athandwa Kani revealed that he was not the father of her twin boys.
After the news broke, it seemed like bouncing back into action was going to be a challenge for the mother of two, with half of the social media community attacking her, and the other half defending her.
But like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Thembisa managed to win the hearts of many on Sunday night’s episode of OPW.
Read: Thembisa reveals how she gets fit
Some of the viewers of the show enjoyed her presenting so much that they were even able to recognise the importance of separating her private life from her professional life.
Let's learn to separate issues. Thembisa Mdoda is at work on #OPW. Her twins paternity issues have nothing to do with her presenting skills.
— Sukoluhle Nyathi (@SueNyathi) January 3, 2016
On Monday morning, the social community was still raving about Thembisa's charisma and presenting skills.
Let's learn to separate issues. Thembisa Mdoda is at work on #OPW. Her twins paternity issues have nothing to do with her presenting skills.
— Sukoluhle Nyathi (@SueNyathi) January 3, 2016
I think Thembisa Mdoda will win people's hearts with her multilingualism. #OPW
— Luzukō (@Luzukokoti) January 3, 2016
Thembisa did well... She'll definitely grow on me...
— Mpho Maboi (@MphoMaboi) January 3, 2016
Thembisa Mdoda is a phenomenal presenter. Authenticity is the future of broadcast media.10/10 👌
— Masechaba Ndlovu (@MasechabaNdlovu) January 3, 2016
In our previous interview with former OPW presenter, Thuli Thabethe, we asked her about the kind of advice she would give Thembisa and this is what she had to say: "My advice to her is that she needs to be prepared because a chunk of her life is going to be owned by this production because we are entering the December season and that's like peak season for African weddings.
"And the show being such a success throughout the country, she should expect to travel to different parts of the country. So yes, a huge part of her time will be designated to the show and constantly on the road. However, I'd also advise her to just have fun! Let the reality play itself out and to also be herself."
Thuli was correct, Thembisa has only been on one episode of the show and already a chunk of her life is already owned by the production and the social media space. Hopefully her professional life will shine more than her private life in the future.
What's your take on Thembisa's first appearance on OPW?