Latest news with #LeletiKhumalo
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
'Muvhango' bows out: SABC2 rolls out the red carpet for 'Pimville Queens'
Long-running Venda weeknight soap "Muvhango" has been cancelled, with the show ending in July. In hopes of gaining back its appeal, the SABC took a bold step last year to revamp the show for season 27. Long-running South African soap " Muvhango " has faced several challenges in recent years, including a decline in viewership and a potential cancellation. This overhaul saw the introduction of new cast members such as the legendary actress Leleti Khumalo and Thandy Matlaila, a contemporary aesthetic and a revamped opening title sequence, aiming to attract a younger, more fashion-conscious audience. However, it seems like their brave attempt to save the show has failed, and long-time fans will be bidding farewell soon. According to various online reports, the SABC has officially made the decision to cancel "Muvhango," with final episodes airing until July. "Because we don't have fresh, new content, we have to repeat existing content. We have that lack of fresh, local properties that are a key driver of South African audiences," said SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli. To fill the void left by "Muvhango", Chabeli said a new telenovela titled "Pimville Queens" is set to premiere in August. The new show is produced by Bakwena Productions.
News24
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Uncertainty looms as
SABC2'S longest -running show Muvhango is allegedly being canned after its future has always been speculated. The plug is being pulled from the show, which is the channel's most-watched show, and actors are apparently having a hard time accepting the news. In recent years, the show's creator and executive producer, Duma Ndlovu has tried to spice things up by bringing on board big names such as Leleti Khumalo and others, but it seems that trick hasn't worked, as the SABC is said to be clothing the curtain on it. Actors are apparently on edge about the news of the show's imminent closure, and a farewell is also being arranged for a proper goodbye after more than two decades of screen time. Drum has through various sources, reliably learned that the show's curtain call is looming. 'They are busy planning a farewell, which will make the end of the show, as it is finally being canned following years of its future hanging in the balance. The actors have always known that at some point they would be without work, as uncertainty has always hungover the show,' a source says. 'It's an end of era as the show bows out'. In an effort to save the show from the chopping block, the show has seen many young faces grace it, but it seems that trick, too, hasn't wielded favourable results, because it is being pulled. Read more | Amalanga Awafani star Fanele Zulu on balancing family life and rising TV career 'You might have seen many young new faces and old faces alike, this was a last-ditch attempt to gain numbers. They've even included Xitsonga -speaking actors, but still it hasn't worked, and now they show is being taken off air - for good. It's sad for the careers of beginners, and of those who grew up on the show, who will now hold onto memories that amassed over their time with Muvhango,' explains another source. Everyone is nervous and worried about their job, because they have bonds and cars that they're paying, so not having an income will inconvenience them. 'Everyone is on edge, because they have bills to pay, and they are worried about how they will afford their lifestyles and their families, so this is a tense time at Muvhango. This is not the first time that the staff is going through such uncertainty. And it's not a good a thing at all. It is a time that everyone is weighing other options, so yeah it's really awful right now,' another source reveals. Meanwhile, The show's series producer, Yeshica Naidoo confirmed to Drum that the show's future remains in the balance, as they eagerly await a response from the SABC. 'We are waiting for confirmation from the SABC about a way forward, so at this moment we just wait and see what is going to happen to the show,' she says. The SABC'S spokeswoman, Mmoni Ngubane hadn't responded to our query at the time of publishing.
