The hit telenovela Umkhokha: The Curse seems to be facing some behind-the-scenes turmoil. Last week, ZiMoja reported that three top actors were fired from the show for allegedly being “divas.” Now, Sphelele Luthuli, who plays Nokubonga, the bride of the Mthembus, is the latest star to leave the series.
According to sources close to the production, Luthuli’s character was written off because producers claimed they didn’t know how to develop her storyline further. However, insiders suggest this was just an excuse to replace her with more famous actors to boost the show’s ratings. “How come creatives who get paid to create characters do not know what to do with someone’s character? That was just an excuse to get rid of her,” one source revealed.
Reported by ZiMoja, an actor who previously left the show explained the reality of working in the South African TV industry: “Some of us who are not good at sucking up were written off. Unfortunately, that is the reality. When you mind your own business and demand what you deserve, you are labelled a diva.”
Another source confirmed that Luthuli has finished shooting her final scenes and has already left the show. “It was a bittersweet moment. We are supposed to protect and groom young talent, not write someone off and tell them their character is boring as if they choose and write their script. That is just wrong,” the source said.
In a surprising twist, Umkhokha recently brought back actor Mbuso Khoza, who plays Maphalala, Nokubonga’s father. Khoza left the show twice but promised his fans he wouldn’t leave again after seeing their support. While Multichoice publicist Portia Hlongwane declined to confirm Luthuli’s departure, she commented, “You are making it sound like a bad thing. If Sphelele is said to be leaving, then she is.”
