Uzalo confirmed reports last year that two of its leading actors, Baby Cele who plays Gabisile and Siyabonga Shibe who plays Qhabanga are leaving the show. The two actors will not be joining season 7 of the show.
The show is also losing its other lead, Dawn Thandeka King who plays the role of Mangcobo this season.Rumours about Cele and Shibe’s departure had been circulating in 2020, and now the teasers for February confirmed when the actress will die.
According to the spoilers, Gabisile will be ready to give up her freedom on February 12th to clear her conscience as Captain Mpabani is getting ready to close in on her.
Qhabanga who is a pastror used to be a criminal just like his brother, Nkunzi…so there are endless possibilities as to how Baby Cele’s character will die for now. It is unclear how Shibe and King will exit the show at this stage.
The show’s producers issued a statement about Cele and Shibe by saying:
“Baby Cele and Siyabonga Shibe will be leaving Uzalo by the end of season six. The story has taken this direction and will give us a riveting, high-stakes ending for both characters.
The decision was made in consultation with the two actors. Both have given a tremendous amount to their roles on Uzalo and we are forever grateful for that. We will be introducing a host of new characters played by SA’s best. Please stay tuned and see as the story unfolds.”
Though the news of Cele’s departure came as a shock to some viewers, Shibe’s departure wasn’t as there were rumours that the actor was fired from the show back in June which he vehemently denied. I have had so many calls wanting to know whether I have been fired from Uzalo. I have been ignoring the issue for too long now. I want to put it on record that me and my producers are in a good space and there were never any fights for whatever reason.We are concentrating on delivering a good product for SABC1 since Covid-19 has affected many. Such reporting affects many – my family, my fans, fans of Uzalo. I repeat I have never fought with anyone and I have not been booted out, as some reports claim.”
King resigned from Uzalo last month after 6years with the show, to join an upcoming, unknown novella on Mzansi Magic.
It is unclear at this stage what Cele and Shibe’s plans are, after the show.