Introducing newcomer Nsikelelo Mthiyane.
She replaces Luyanda Zwane in the starring role of Sibongile Shibe whose exploits have made her the leading lady on DStv.
The series is now the Number 1 show on the pay TV platform, delivering figures that MultiChoice hasn't seen in a long time, attracting 1,458,556 viewers for its most watched episode in
April 2024.
There's no clarity as to why Luyanda's gone so we must presume it has to do with the usual "contract disputes" and behind-the-scenes shenanigans, with facts shrouded by lack of transparency from everyone involved.
The situation reminds us of what happened when Uzalo reached 10.2-million viewers in 2018. Remember when we covered the celebratory party? If not, tap here for the goss and flashback pics:
Gallery: The stars who've taken Uzalo to 10.2 million viewers
Crazy to see that it was getting 10.2-million! It pains us to see how TV ratings have declined since then.
Anyhoo, that's not the point, the memory it conjured up is that the cast imploded after this momentous event.
Nay Maps, Nokuthula Mabika, Glen Gabela and Ntokozo "TK" Dlamini all exited the show just after that and Wiseman Mncube was introduced as Sibonelo for the next season.
The moral of the soapie: success breeds Stage Left chaos. Drop the curtain! Change cast. The show must go on.
As for the new Sibongile... Nsikelelo has landed a plum role and will need a healthy dose of self belief to ward off the pressure of expectations.
She studied at the Durban University of Technology, she's from Richards Bay, KZN and she loves sport. She's an avid follower of women's cricket and soccer.
This is her first TV role.
The channel and series are taking a huge risk on her by not casting an experienced actress, but it's a better move than casting someone with a "name" because it's harder for an audience to suspend their disbelief when it's someone they know.
It should be easier for audiences to believe that she's Sibongile as soon as possible.
Do you think so too?