Latest news with #telenovela
News24
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Former Smoke & Mirrors actor Khayalethu Xaba talks new roles and career growth
His dramatic exit from hit telenovela, Smoke & Mirrors, shocked the show's viewers, but it wasn't the last time he'd grace the small screen. Actor Khayalethu Xaba, who played the role of Mpendulo on the show, is now starring in Mzansi Wethu's telenovela, Homecoming, which is being recorded in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. Taking a break from filming to speak with us, he's eager to explain why he decided to take on the role of Vusi. He tells Drum that he was drawn to the role because, unlike all his previous characters who were based in Johannesburg, this one offered something different. He also shares his journey and how he continues to grow as an actor. ead more | 'I've grown so much' - House of Zwide's Nefisa Mkhabela talks industry lessons 'I decided to take the role firstly because of where he's based in Bergville, KZN. All of my previous characters have been either street smart or cheese boys from the suburbs. I've never played a boy from the villages. Most importantly, though, as a storyteller, it's important to know your audience, and right now I feel like I'm talking to people, especially those in the hoods and villages, even the ones in the suburbs. The challenges I usually have with characters resonate with young men,' he says. The heartthrob shares that he is also entering into a new dimension of comedy. 'I'm also dabbling in stand-up comedy, but I'm new in the space. I still have a lot to learn in the space. I don't just want to be an actor who thinks he's funny. I want to be a comedian. Everything I'm doing now has been a childhood dream of mine since I was five and ten years old, ' he reveals. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Khayalethu Xaba 🇿🇦 (@ Although he was aware of the pitfalls of the industry, he remained undeterred in his pursuit of his childhood dream. 'I only became aware of the challenges of the industry just before I got my first gig, but I realise that every career has its pitfalls. I didn't let that stop me from pursuing my childhood dream.' As a young actor, he cherishes having mentors who have walked the path before him. 'One of our mentors is Sdumo Mtshali, because we worked together before. He has always supported me and showed me the ropes. Another one is Bonko, who told me that his door is always open for me to talk to him to get guidance on whatever I need help with. These are my two mentors, who have been instrumental in helping me with my career so far,' he concludes.
News24
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘I've grown so much' - House of Zwide's Nefisa Makhabela talks industry lessons
Nefisa Makhabela was just 19 years old when she joined hit telenovela House of Zwide, playing the role of Onalerona. Now 23, she treasures the opportunity to work alongside seasoned actors, learning and growing her craft every day. However, her journey hasn't been without its challenges. Her co-star Shalate Sekhabi, who played Shoki and was her on-screen best friend, has sadly left the show. For Nefisa, this departure is bittersweet—Shalate was the first person she bonded with when she started on the production. In an exclusive interview with Drum, Nefisa opens up about her journey so far, what she'll miss most about Shalate, and her plans. Read more | Halala! Blood & Water star, Khosi Ngema, is engaged Working alongside industry heavyweights like Mduduzi Mabaso and Winnie Ntshaba is something Nefisa cherishes, as it allows her to learn and improve constantly. 'The journey has been beyond anything I could ever describe. I started this production when I was 19, and now I'm 23. I've grown so much as a young woman in this production. I've learned so much from all the amazing people I'm blessed to share a set with, and I'm still eager to learn more each day,' she says. Shalate's departure wasn't easy for Nefisa, as they had built a strong rapport and had been together since the show's inception. 'Her departure was bittersweet. When I first heard she'd be leaving, I was so sad because this was someone I specifically remember starting my House of Zwide journey with. She was the first friend I ever made on set. We were inseparable in the beginning,' she shares. Read more | Kelly Khumalo claps back at Advocate Teffo over Senzo Meyiwa case - 'Enough is enough' 'Working on long-running shows, you get used to a routine, knowing you'll always see each other even when life gets busy. What I'll miss most is not being able to see each other as often as we used to, and the routines we had built together.' Despite the sadness, Nefisa is happy for her friend's new opportunities. 'On the flip side, I knew this was the beginning of many beautiful opportunities for her. I knew God knew exactly what he was doing in her life. I'll miss her go-getter attitude and the fact that she'll stop at nothing to achieve her dreams.' If acting hadn't worked out, Nefisa reveals she would have pursued law. 'If I weren't an actress, I would probably be practising law by now. If not, I'd be working behind the scenes in the film industry.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nefisa Mkhabela (@nefisatarisca_) While parents often worry about their children entering the unpredictable arts industry, Nefisa's parents are now fully supportive of her career choice. 'They are happy now, that's for sure. More than anything, they're proud that I'm thriving in my field. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as I'm happy and can provide for myself,' she explains. At 23, Nefisa has numerous goals she's working toward, though she prefers to keep them private. 'There's honestly still so much I want to achieve. I can't even begin to name them all. That's between myself and the Lord. I guess you'll just have to wait and see it all unfold,' the talented actress concludes.
News24
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Mkhokha star Deli Malinga steps away from acting to pursue business ventures
She is a versatile actress, who can handle any role she's given. She draws inspiration from her wealth of experiences to breathe life into every character she portrays. Over the years, she has consistently delivered exceptional performances and earned the recognition she deserves. Actress Deli Malinga has been in the entertainment industry for more than three decades. Her most notable role was when she starred in Generations as Sarah Langa alongside some of the country's top actors, such as Sonia Mbele, Winnie Ntshaba, Menzi Ngubane, and many others. However, she really got an opportunity to showcase her talent when she joined Mzansi Magic's hit telenovela ,Umkhokha, where she played the role of the feisty Thenjiwe 'Mamzobe' Gumede, a role that she nailed and nabbed a best actress gong for. During her 32-year career, she has also appeared on shows like Rhythm City. Despite her wealth of acting experience, it seems Deli believes in the adage 'quit while you're still in your prime'- choosing to step away while at the peak of her career. She shares that she will be taking a break from acting to focus on her business ventures. She's not leaving acting altogether, she's just taking a hiatus to shift her focus into her business ventures. She beams with excitement, as she tells Drum that she's going away, but 'I'm focusing on my business ventures.' 'I'm starting a skin care business. It's going very well, and I've also started teaching acting online, on YouTube and that too, is going well,' she reveals. She is well aware of the pitfalls of the industry she's in, which is why she is determined to make a success of her businesses, so that she has a plan to fall back on. 'It's not that I'm quitting acting, but before I get back into it - I want to ensure that my businesses have grown, so that I can ensure that I have some stability.' Since getting the opportunity to showcase her talent in the acting world, she has built a loyal fan base who supported her throughout her time on the award-winning telenovela, Umkhokha. Now that she's stepping back from acting, she hopes the same fans who appreciated her seamless performances will also support her business ventures. 'I promise that when my businesses that I'm starting have grown the way I want them to, I will return to acting, otherwise I'm still well and active. I Just need time to focus on my hustles,' the Durban-born actress explains
Mail & Guardian
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Scoring faith: Musa Mhlongo on composing for Genesis
Musa Mhlongo brings soul and suspense to Genesis with a score that elevates this gospel-fueled telenovela Speaking to Musa Mhlongo about arts, books and music is an indulgence of note. His passion for creative expression is seen in his illustrious work as literary scholar, cultural researcher and composer. This award-winning maestro continues this creative work as one of the music composers for Mzansi Magic's recent telenovela, Genesis. Alongside the prolific Mojalefa Thebe, Mhlongo composed the score and original tracks for the series, which replaced My Brother's Keeper in April. Genesis delves into the high-stakes world of gospel music where loyalty is tested and betrayal lurks around every corner . Led by veteran actors such as Baby Cele and Buyile Mdladla as owners of music label Genesis Records, the show explores family dynamics, power struggles, love and faith. From the studio recording scenes to the title sequences at the start and end of every episode, Mhlongo was at the helm. The Mail & Guardian caught up with Mhlongo, to speak about his experience in crafting the score that complements this new telenovela exploring the South African gospel industry with flair and thrill. M&G: You are a man of many creative abilities. Regarding your love of music, when and where did that start? Mhlongo: I have one childhood memory that has stuck in my mind. We once saw a film at primary school and all I remember from the movie is a scene of a guy playing a trumpet. I think that was at the end of the film. For some reason, I felt the deep emotion of that moment. I had no idea what was going on in the story but that musical moment captured me and I think that is the seed that germinated and grew all the years, leading to the creative harvest seen today. I've kept the depth of that moment as reference for much of the work I do. M&G: Right in the first scene of the first episode, we are blessed with a beautiful musical moment of the Thabethe family singing together — how did you get involved in this project and what was the brief from the producers? Mhlongo: Indeed, the first episode gives a great introduction of this musical and deeply gifted family. I was very excited and grateful when executive producer Sinini Mati called me and briefed me about the project. It sounded huge and complex because it would have to represent the complexities of the gospel industry both in story and in the actual sound. But my heart jumped with excitement. She said I was recommended to her and they extended the invitation for me to work with Mojalefa Thebe, a fellow composer, producer that I've known and respected for decades. M&G: Working on a long-form telenovela is different from composing music for the stage or radio. What were some of the challenges that you had to overcome? Mhlongo: The biggest challenge with a telenovela is to keep the music traveling and unfolding on par with the story. The music must do justice to the effective telling of the story. It is a continuous challenge until the very last scene of the finale. M&G: Genesis has a roster of heavyweight South African actors, including Gaosi Raditholo, Nay Maps and KB Motsilanyane, as the hilariously dramatic Wendy Sedibeng. What are some of your highlights working on this project? Mhlongo: With such a formidable cast of gifted artists, an excellent crew and astute artistic leaders, my highlight is experiencing the confidence we all have in each other's skills. You are surrounded by great talent and that motivates you to keep pursuing to be your best at your part of the great collective work. M&G: The telenovela has a character named Ishmael, played by Craig Nobela, who started busking on the streets and now has been signed by Genesis Records. In your view as a musician how important is support structure in grooming young talent? Mhlongo: The representation of our society and its challenges, as well as its opportunities, is at the core of a project like Genesis. It is indeed a fictional project but it seeks to realistically portray society. Support from society and the industry is therefore, one of the underlying themes in the storyline. We get to see how this complex music industry functions and how it handles loyalty, support and the pursuit of big dreams. M&G: Some parts of the show somewhat pay homage to the late Sfiso Ncwane. Who are some of the South African gospel artists who have influenced your work in general as a music composer Mhlongo: Indeed, the late Ncwane is referenced, as are other great contributors who are yet to come up in the course of the series. As for my own influence, instead of particular names I rather say that I draw great inspiration from good-quality music and excellent musicianship. Of course, each age of artistic output has certain leaders and game changers that represent that epoch — and this country is blessed with so many of them. The late great Sihle Kunene was my first direct influence and mentor in songwriting and producing. I have feasted on scores of others since then until today, with a mention of the likes of Bheka Mthethwa, Oupa Sithela, Nomfundo Xaluva and many others. M&G: Last, you are also an author, with a debut novel Goodbye from our Worlds published in 2022, how are you able to balance the creative energy between literature, music and performing arts? Mhlongo: I have always found myself working in ways that pull both my creative strands of sounds and words. I therefore find that as long as I am artistically sincere in my creative work, the balance is not a challenge at all. Instead, the occasional swings between words and sounds actually help enhance and broaden my artistic imagination. Catch Genesis on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) weekdays at 7.30pm and also on DStv Catch Up.
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Angélica Rivera's ‘Con Esa Misma Mirada' Season 2 Drops On ViX
L to R: Diego Klein, Angélica Rivera and Iván Sánchez return for season 2 of ViX original "Con Esa ... More Misma Mirada." Mexico's former first lady and telenovela icon Angélica Rivera is back for the second season of Con Esa Misma Mirada, a modern adaptation of the groundbreaking Mexican telenovela Mirada de Mujer that aired in the late 1990s — itself a remake of the Colombian series Señora Isabel. The reimagined story, which continues to challenge traditional narratives about women's sexuality and second chances at love, premieres today exclusively on the premium tier of TelevisaUnivision's ViX streaming service. Rivera stars as Eloísa, the story's main protagonist. The actress, who hadn't starred in a production since 2007's Destilando Amor, chose this ViX original to mark her return to acting after an almost 20-year hiatus. TelevisaUnivision announced her comeback for this streaming series in 2024. Marking a significant shift in Latin American programming strategy and taking a page from Netflix's playbook, ViX is dropping the entire second season on the same day — just as it did with season one, when it debuted in March this year — allowing subscribers to binge-watch all episodes immediately rather than following the traditional weekly release schedule. Season two deepens the exploration of Eloísa's journey of self-discovery as she navigates a passionate new romance with Pablo, portrayed by Diego Klein (Loco por ella, Vuelve a mí), while dealing with the lingering effects of her relationship with Octavio, played by Iván Sánchez (Culpa Tuya, Bosé) — to whom she still feels connected. L to R: Sofia Castro and Angélica Rivera, real-life mother and daughter in a scene from "Con Esa ... More Misma Mirada." Meanwhile, Octavio, feeling hurt and humiliated by Eloísa, decides to start a new life with Gabriela (Pamela Almanza). But as in all love triangles, doubts persist. Despite her happiness with Octavio, Gabriela finds herself overwhelmed by his obsession with blaming Eloísa for the family's problems, including Antonia's (Sofía Castro) unexpected pregnancy, the family's struggle with Matilde's (Ivanna Castro) eating disorder, and the consequences of Samuel's (Nicolás Haza) fling with Renata (Ximena Herrera). The season 2 cast features legendary Mexican actress Blanca Guerra (La Rebelión, Alma de hierro) and includes Ximena Herrera, , Fernanda Borches, Iliana Fox, Juan Ríos Cantú, Adriana Llabrés, Gonzalo Vega, Adriana Romero, Adolfo de la Fuente, Lupita Ortiz, Mateo Ortega Casillas, Fernanda Hernández and Andrea Aldana. A telenovela's evolution: adapting to the times The narrative tackles contemporary issues around family judgment, societal expectations, and the courage required to prioritize personal happiness over public opinion, weaving together multiple generational storylines. Mirada de Mujer, which aired on TV Azteca from 1997-1998, became a cultural phenomenon for its revolutionary portrayal of a woman finding love with a younger man after being abandoned by her husband. The show sparked national conversations about women's age, sexuality and gender roles that challenged traditional norms, inspiring international adaptations including Telemundo's 2007 version Victoria starring Victoria Ruffo. ViX's adaptation aims to capture that same cultural relevance for streaming audiences who expect more condensed storytelling than the traditional 200+ episode telenovela format. The binge-release strategy signals the platform's efforts to compete with global streaming giants by adopting viewer-friendly distribution models that cater to modern consumption habits. Produced by Argos for ViX, the series features two of the original writers, Jimena Romero and Gilma Peña, alongside Camila Ibarra. Alba Gil and Pitipol Ybarra direct, stepping in after the untimely passing of renowned film and television director Moisés Ortiz Urquidi in June. Executive producers include Epigmenio Ibarra and Verónica Velasco, with Patricia Benítez serving as executive producer and Fides Velasco also contributing to the production. All episodes of season two are now available exclusively to ViX premium subscribers.
