After running back and forth about actor Zamani Mbatha’s future on Isitha: The Enemy, viewers have finally been put out of their misery.
Rumours emerged last week that Mbatha, who plays the lead character Khaya in the popular e.tv telenovela, was headed for the exit door.
However, the drama’s production company Black Brain Production shot down the rumours in a media statement.
On Thursday, the makers of the night-time drama sang a different tune, announcing that Nomzamo Mbatha’s brother will not be around from the middle of 2024, as he is set to explore other avenues.
With his character occupying a central place on the show, it is believed Mbatha wanted a pay raise, something that did not sit well with the producers of the show.
Mbatha is said to have agreed to finish filming season-one episodes.
Fast growth
Mpumelelo Nhlapo, the executive director at Black Brain Pictures, said in a statement: “We wish Zamani the best of luck in his future endevours. Viewers will still be able to enjoy his performances until mid-2024,” said Nhlapo.
Nhlapho went on to thank viewers for staying glued on their screens, saying this has resulted in the show ranking highly.
“We are thrilled to have achieved record ARs and viewership numbers with the show and we aim to continue building on that success in the future,” said Nhlapho.
Mbatha leaves after e.tv announced in June that the telenovela, which premiered in May, proved extremely popular, hitting its all-time high with almost 2.4-million viewers.
This rendered the show the fastest-growing on the channel.
