SABC 2’s Muvhango Comes To A Sudden End After 27 Years On Air
SABC 2’s beloved primetime telenovela Muvhango has reached the end of its time after over twenty years on air. The brainchild of Duma Ndlovu aired its first episode on 7 April 1997.
The pioneering drama opera started out as a primarily Tshivenda soapie but later espoused other native South African languages to accommodate the multi-ethnic landscape of Mzansi, a move that would see it become one of the country’s most renowned shows on screen.
The show’s abrupt end was announced on X by Muvhango’s official page with a succinct message after the airing of Tuesday night’s episode, saying: “End of the Road for Muvhango. Thank you all for watching all these years.”
Throughout the show’s run, Muvhango has birthed and expedited the rise of household names such as acclaimed performers like Sindi Dlathu (who portrayed Thandaza from 1997 till her exit in 2017), Gabriel Temudzani (who plays as Chief Azwindini since 2000), and Dingaan Khumalo (who plays James Motsamai).
With very little yet tectonic shifts throughout the 27 years, the storyline of Muvhango has played around the lives of the Mukwevho family, a royal house headed by Azwindini Mukwevho, who is also the induna of the Thathe village. Nestled at the heart of Thathe as well as the bustling city of Jozi, the complex story follows the significance that traditional beliefs have on those rooted in them still living in the fringes as well as the struggles of those living with the city.
The show, during its run, was noted for establishing the dichotomous way of telling African stories, particularly being able to balance the progressive side of black people trying to carve out a life in the cities whilst not neglecting the heritage of their blackness steeped in tradition and cultural practices.
Netizens took to X to pay homage to Muvhango.
@mbali_ndlela shared what she felt was most memorable about the show, citing Azwindini’s flick before answering his cellphone: “How Chief Azwindini flicks his arm before answering his cellphone on Muvhango will always be goated.”
@ww_kulture posted pictures of four villians throughout the show’s run with the caption: “In honour of the end of #muvhango, who was your favourite female villain?”
Sizwe Dlomo referenced the cancellation of 7 de Laan, another SABC 2 staple with the caption: “First 7de Laan, now Muvhango? SA is finished!”