Talented actress Leleti Khumalo joins Muvhango as the soapie aims at revival
By Funeka Bambalele
Leleti Khumalo’s TV acting career has come full circle as she returns to SABC where it all began 19 years ago.
Khumalo last appeared in a TV show in Imbewu which ended its run on television last year in April. The Sarafina star who joined Generations as Busi Dlomo in 2005, now joins Muvhango in its 26th season scheduled to start on Monday, August 5. She was revealed as one of the new faces at an event hosted by the channel in Fourways, last week.
In an interesting twist of things, SABC and Muvhango creators, Word of Mouth Productions announced the return of the show. This comes after Muvhango ended its run on July 2 abruptly leaving the broadcaster with no episodes to air in the 9pm slot.
Old episodes of the show had to be aired to fill in the 9pm slot. During the launch, show creator, Duma Ndlovu confirmed the return and that they were in the middle of filming the 26th season of the show.
While the show flighted old episodes some viewers wanted the show back while for others it was a case of “good riddance”. Many television viewers felt the story of Muvhango was boring and the show should have ended a long time ago. With the return, SABC seem to have given producers of the show an ultimatum to shape up or ship out. As a result, viewers will see some of the old actors who had left the show like Liteboho Molise and Lloyd Nedohe returning.
Ndlovu confirmed this during the launch: “You know I had to send scripts back to the writers to be rewritten because I felt that Lala Tuku would not approve of them. I wanted them to be tightened more.”
Khumalo told journalists that she was excited to land the role of Dr Ximba. She said she was happy to play a character that she has never played before.
“When I got this call, I was like why not? Why can’t I go back home? I get it is not only going back home but I am joining Muvhango. Muvhango has been there forever, and I was thinking that I may be making a mistake. I know that it was not going to be easy. It is like finding a home that is fully furnished, warm with everything and you just need to bring that touch that is what I need to do.”
“I am playing a character that I have never played before as Leleti, which is amazing. As actors we are always looking for challenges. That is why I am very excited and nervous. I’m back home.”
She describes the storyline of Dr Ximba as beautiful and full of twists and turns. “Sometimes when I am reading the story I question myself if I will be able to deliver. There is a lot of romance, cheating and killing one another. I just cannot give you all. It is a great challenging storyline.”
Ndlovu added; “Muvhango has been a part of South Africa’s consciousness and family viewing for the last 27 years and we as a production company we are massively grateful, first to the broadcaster for allowing us the platform and mostly to the viewers who have come back time and time again to follow our brand of storytelling. As we enter another phase of our journey, may the gods be with us.”
Khumalo, who displayed magnificent performing talent from a young age joining Tu Nokwe’s group Amajika, has grown over years to become one of the most respected actors in South Africa.
She then joined Mbongeni Ngema’s musical Sarafina! where she played the lead role Sarafina. In 1987, Leleti received an NAACP Image Award for Best Stage Actress. In 1992, she starred alongside Whoopi Goldberg in Darrell James Roodt’s film version of Sarafina!.
In 1993, Khumalo released her first album, Leleti and Sarafina. She also co-starred in Mbongeni Ngema’s international hit musical Magic at 4 AM, which was dedicated to the legendary Muhammad Ali.
In 2003, Khumalo starred in the musical extravaganza Stimela SaseZola at the African Bank Market Theatre in Johannesburg. In film, she has acted in Yesterday, Hotel Rwanda and Faith’s Corner.
On Television, she has acted in Hopeville, Soul City, Uzalo, Generations and Imbewu-The Seed.