Muvhango star and founding cast member Sindi Dlathu will be bowing out of her role as Thandaza in the soapie's 20th year on air.
Sindi, who's been with the show since it's debut on 7 April 1997, is one of only three of the show's original cast members who are still on the soapie.
Mahumela Mahuwa (Susan) and Murabeli Rasalanavho (Vho-Mukondeleli) are part of the Original Three with Sindi so her exit puts an exclamation mark on two decades.
This is what Sindi and Muvhango creator Duma Ndlovu have to say about it:
Sindi: Muvhango has been more than a job to me, it has been my life for 20 years and I’ve loved and cherished every single moment of playing Thandaza.
After 20 years I’ve decided to give the Thandaza character a break in order for me to grow as an artist, venture out to explore new opportunities and discover what I can do as an actress and as a human being.
Duma: I have cherished every single moment Sindi has been part of the shows I have done and she remains one of the most talented people I have ever worked with. I have loved working with her and was looking forward to watching her continued growth.
I wish her nothing but the best as she continues to grow and I have no doubt that she will tackle any role and character that comes her way the same way she has handled Thandaza. I wish her continued success and may God continue to bless her.”
Sindi's departure comes in the wake of a
scandal that hit Muvhango in August in which the soapie was rumoured to be unable to pay actors after an accounts employee at Word Of Mouth Pictures allegedly stole over R4.5-million from the show.
Word from Muvhango’s associate producer Morishe Matlejoane is that Sindi's role won't be recast and the show's putting her role "on freeze" so there's the option for her to make an appearance in the future.
She finishes filming at the end of October and will be on-screen until March 2018.
Sindi's last day on set will no doubt be an Emotional Experience of Note for her.