Rising star Luyanda Zwane has reportedly been replaced in the popular TV show Sibongile and The Dlaminis.
LUYANDA ZWANE: DEPARTURE
The Sibongile and The Dlaminis actress Luyanda Zwane has reportedly been replaced with Nsikelelo Mthiyane.
Zwane confirms her exit to Zimoja and reveals that she completed her season one obligation.
“I chose not to renew my contract for season two after completing my season one obligations,” she adds.
The Outlaws and Miseducation actress scored the leading role of Sibongile Mbambo in July 2023.
Zwane’s character, Sibongile Mbambo, is an innocent rural young woman who is forced to leave her family and dreams behind. She becomes a domestic worker in the lavish mansion of the affluent Dlamini family.
Sibongile and The Dlaminis is set in the small town of Ixopo in KwaZulu-Natal and explores timeless themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and familial bonds.
Not much is known about the rising star, Nsikelelo Mthiyane, who’s “replaced” Zwane.
Fans of the Mzansi Wethu telenovela took to X to respond to reports that Mthiyane will play the new Sibongile in season two.
Mthiyane and Zwane. Images via X @JABU_MCDONALD
VIEWERS REACT TO HER ‘REPLACEMENT’
@ZandyNice: “The way I’m struggling with the ‘new’ Ceasar on #SmokeAndMirrors. I just know that I’m going to suffer with this one too.”
@LebohangNgweny1: “Thank God I’ve stopped watching as soon as I heard the news. I struggle with character replacement so much. Till this day I haven’t watched season 3 of The Wife because they changed Mqhele. I was obsessed with that show.”
@Degratia09: “I stopped watching this show when Nomalanga grew a pregnancy belly overnight, and the Dlaminis saw nothing strange with that. There and then, I knew we are not taken seriously as viewers. Instead, we are in for a very long storyline drag.”
@DeenickJ: “They should have canceled the show really, replacing an actor with another never works really.”
‘SIBONGILE AND DLAMINIS’ BREAKS RECORDS
The Citizen reports that Sibongile and The Dlaminis, which stars Luyanda Zwane, is the most-watched show on Mzansi Wethu.
The telenovela recently set a new record and surpassed the 2.6 million mark in viewership.
Nomsa Philiso, who is the CEO of general entertainment at MultiChoice, congratulated the cast and confirmed season two of the telenovela.
“This is a cause for celebration and a clear indication of the love and appreciation that our viewers have for Sibongile and The Dlaminis.”
Philiso adds that the telenovela is the combination of good scripting, casting, and overall production, which makes it a pleasure to watch.
She also thanks their middle and mass scripted team for the show. She also hopes they will see more growth in viewership numbers in season two.
Zwane did not respond to The South African when she was asked for a comment.
Screenshot via Instagram @luyanda_zwane
Screenshot via Instagram @nsikelelo_mthiyane