SABC Cancels Long-Running Soap Muvhango After 27 Years on Air

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has made the decision to effectively cancel the beloved Venda soap opera, Muvhango, after an impressive 27-year run on its SABC2 network. Produced by Word of Mouth Pictures and created by Duma Ndlovu, the show has come to a halt with no indication of further episodes in the works.

Yesterday marked the airing of the final episode of Muvhango, leaving viewers surprised as there was no prior warning of the show’s abrupt conclusion. The episode featured Kgosi and Reneilwe’s wedding, signaling the end of an era for the long-running series.

Following the end of production for Muvhango, the SABC is faced with a significant void in its primetime 21:00 timeslot on SABC2. To fill this gap, the broadcaster will be reairing old episodes of Muvhango, starting from the very first episode of the inaugural season.

Word of Mouth Pictures, the production company behind Muvhango, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the SABC but as of now, no new contract has been signed, and production has ceased. The show’s final episode aired on 15 June, marking the end of an era for cast and crew members.

Muvhango, which originally aired in April 1997 as SABC’s first Tshivenda language drama, has grown over the years from a weekly show to a daily soap opera. Notable actors like Gabriel Temudzani, Dingaan Khumalo, Lindiwe Chibi, and Khabonina Qubeka rose to fame through their roles on the show.

With the cancellation of 7de Laan and the uncertainty surrounding Generations – The Legacy, Muvhango’s demise underscores the financial struggles faced by the SABC. The public broadcaster’s financial instability has necessitated the discontinuation of high-budget productions, leading to the end of iconic shows like Muvhango.

Despite dwindling viewership numbers in recent years, Muvhango remained a ratings powerhouse for SABC2, garnering over a million viewers on weeknights. The show’s departure marks the end of an era for South African television, leaving a significant void in the local entertainment landscape.