“Muvhango has been more than a job to me, it has been my life for 20 years and I’ve loved and cherished every single moment of playing Thandaza. After 20 years I’ve decided to give the Thandaza character a break in order for me to grow as an artist, venture out to explore new opportunities and discover what I can do as an actress and as a human being,” Sindi said in a statement.
According to Muvhango’s associate producer Morishe Matlejoane, the production is only freezing off the character, meaning it might not be the last that we see of Thandaza. Her character will also not be recast.
Sindi Dlathu will shoot her final scenes until the end of October 2017. Viewers can expect to see her until March next year after a riveting storyline.
Fans of the show took to social media reacting to the news.
Im trying to imagine #Muvhango without Thandaza. pic.twitter.com/wRJ4U1Fvye— MTHOBISI (@MTHO_NKABINDE) October 6, 2017
Thandaza leaving Muvhango is like Brooke leaving The Bold and the Beautiful. How, fam?!— Emmah Ngomane (@AfricanFlute) October 6, 2017
Sindi Dlathu(Thandaza) bids farewell to Muvhango after 20 long years— MCRS (@MCRS963) October 8, 2017
Thandaza is #Muvhango, if she leaves they must change the name to "Muvhango the Legacy" https://t.co/ypyibFnqNy— RSA Citizen🇿🇦 (@ThabisoSerogole) October 7, 2017