‘Muvhango’ faces possible cancellation as contract nears expiry

The fate of Muvhango, one of South Africa’s longest-running soapies, hangs in the balance as its contract with the SABC is set to expire at the end of July.

This comes despite previous efforts to keep the 28-year-old drama alive on SABC 2.

Last year, the show faced an uncertain future when it went off-air for over two weeks while awaiting contract renewal.

During this period, frustrated cast members feared job losses. However, in a last-minute save, the production was revived, bringing in fresh talent, including veteran actress Leleti Khumalo, to add star power.

The show was created by seasoned media figure Duma Ndlovu, known for producing hit telenovelas such as My Brother’s Keeper, Umkhokha: The Curse (Mzansi Magic), and Sibongile & The Dlaminis (Mzansi Wethu).

Ndlovu, a former journalist with years of experience in the US, made headlines last year after being arrested on charges of fraud and tax evasion amounting to R25 million.

He was released on R100,000 bail, while his co-accused, tax practitioner Rodney Mutsharini and Maxwell Mloyi, were granted bail of R50,000 each.

According to a source, the SABC allowed Ndlovu time to resolve his tax affairs before making a final decision on Muvhango‘s future.

“Duma Ndlovu has a strong working relationship with the SABC, which is why they extended a chance for him to sort things out. However, without a tax clearance certificate, the broadcaster had no choice but to reconsider the show’s future,” the insider revealed.

SABC 2’s Head of Communications, Mmoni Ngubane, confirmed that Ndlovu’s company was granted a one-year contract for Muvhango 2.0 last year.

“The SABC can confirm that only one season of Muvhango is currently contracted and that the current contract is set to end on 31 July 2025. The SABC cannot comment on the future of the programme at this stage,” Ngubane stated.

When approached for comment, Muvhango’s production company, Word of Mouth, through its spokesperson Thanduxolo Jindela, opted not to speak on the matter.

With time running out, uncertainty looms over whether the beloved telenovela will continue beyond its current season.