It’s a sad day for fans of the popular Mzansi Magic telenovela, Umkhokha: The Curse, as Mbali Ngiba, who plays the character of Zodwa, has officially said goodbye to the show. In a shocking turn of events, Zodwa committed suicide on episode 12 of the second season, which aired on Tuesday.
Mbali Ngiba, a former Real Housewives of Durban cast member, confirmed her departure from Umkhokha in an interview with Zimoja. Expressing her gratitude, she thanked everyone involved in the show, including the producers, cast members, and fans.
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“I want to thank everyone for supporting me, the producers, the cast, and everyone,” Ngiba said. “I also want to thank my colleagues for their support.”
According to a source close to the production, Ngiba’s character had become stagnant, and the writers felt there was little they could do to further develop her role.
“When writers struggle to grow a character, the next logical step is to write them off or, in this case, kill them off if they want them permanently gone,” the source explained. “Mbali is not a terrible actress, and she did well in her role. However, the writers found themselves stuck and unsure of how to proceed with her character.”
While Ngiba’s acting skills were praised, the source claimed that her contract was ultimately terminated due to a viral incident that occurred at the Sandton Skye Hotel in Johannesburg earlier this year.
In a video that circulated on social media, Ngiba can be seen engaging in a heated altercation with a security guard, aggressively pointing her fingers and hurling insults.
The source revealed, “That incident did not sit well with Gatsheni (Duma Ndlovu, the show’s creator). He values respect, and that was the final straw for her.”
After the incident, Ngiba took to her Instagram account to issue an apology, attributing her behaviour to alcohol consumption and a misunderstanding with the security guard.
“When we arrived at the hotel, we were unaware that we needed a code to exit. The person we came with had already left, leaving us stranded. I tried to reason with the security guard, explaining our situation.
“However, he responded with an attitude and ignored us for an hour. Something he said triggered me, and I lost control, using words I shouldn’t have,” Ngiba explained.
She further expressed remorse for her outburst, emphasizing that she does not look down on others.
“I would like to apologize to the security officer and to those who know me. Know that I am not one to belittle others,” Ngiba stated.
“I have let down my fans, and I understand that my actions were unexpected because you had never seen that side of me.”
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Mbali Ngiba’s time on Umkhokha: The Curse will be remembered by fans and fellow cast members alike. Her departure marks the end of an era for the show, leaving viewers curious about what lies ahead for the remaining characters.
