Thursday will see the dramatic comeback of veteran actress Phindile Gwala to the famous e.tv serial opera “Imbewu.”
Gwala had a little vacation in 2021 to focus on her family and career, and now she will be offering her fans a double bill of drama on e.tv as sassy Fikile and as MaNdlovu on Mzansi Magic’s new fascinating Maskandi drama “uZulu no Mhlaba,” which will air on October 30.
In the last season of the Emmy-winning show, fans were left wondering if Fikile had perished when her clothes were discovered by the shore after a sequence of bad circumstances abruptly derailed her life.
Gwala, who was rumored to have been fired from “Imbewu,” clarified to IOL Entertainment that she was not fired from the show, but rather had an arrangement with the production crew to take a much-needed sabbatical at the conclusion of season four.
Gwala stated, “I was never fired from ‘Imbewu,’ and I will never be dismissed again.”
“I strive for perfection. I deliver. I am always punctual. I provide my greatest best. I want people to not believe everything they read on gossip websites and in newspapers.
“Should I relocate, I will do so because it is time for me to do so. I’ll resign. I have done so previously. However, I will never be dismissed.
“The first cause for my vacation was the frenetic game of Fikile that I was playing… She was going through a lot: discovering that her life’s love, Nkululeko, was actually her sibling; they had recently gotten engaged… “The news devastated her since she was head over heels in love,” she added.
The couple was also attempting to conceive when Fikile was diagnosed with endometriosis.
“I had to experience every feeling, which was pretty challenging since when I play a role, I give it my all. To be realistic, I must also feel ill when Fikile is ill.
“Therefore, we have arranged with the producers that I will take a leave of absence after that intense narrative and return the next season,” she stated.
In the fifth season, Fikile returns and becomes the new owner of Emsamo.
“My fans will be pleased to see me back on television, and I cannot wait to introduce them to the new Fikile. She is significantly stronger than she was previously. You cannot anticipate her next move. “She keeps her cards quite close to her chest,” she stated.
Gwala stated that she anticipates more drama, action, and an exciting voyage as a result of Fikile’s alterations to “Imbewu.”
Gwala discussed her new role on “uZulu no Mhlaba,” revealing that she has mixed feelings about portraying the “ruthless” MaNdlovu.
This woman is extremely cruel and ruthless. She is distinct from who I am and the roles I have previously performed. This character requires 10 times more effort to bring to life.
“She is in her mid-forties, and I am 35, so emulating her appearance, mannerisms, and speech was a challenge, but I thoroughly liked it.
“MaNdlovu is a rural woman, she’s wealthy, and she’ll do anything to never be destitute again, as her past reveals that she does not come from a wealthy family, thus she has earned everything she has,” she said.
The 13-episode drama is partially set and filmed in KwaZulu-Ulundi Natal’s slum. It chronicles the story of two maskandi musicians who engage in a deadly fight over music, only to learn that they are more closely related than they thought.
Newcomers Aphiwe Bengu (as Zulu) and Ntokozo Vilakazi portray the artists (as Mhlaba).
In addition to the famous Ernest Ndlovu, the exceptional cast also features Ayanda Borotho, Nothando Ngcobo, Phumzile Mlangeni, and award-winning maskandi star Ihhashi Elimhlophe.
Sunday, October 30 at 8pm, “uZulu no Mhlaba” will air on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) and “Imbewu” will air weekdays at 9pm on e.tv (DStv channel 194).