Popular actor Bonko Khoza, known for his portrayal of Mqhele in “The Wife”, will not be returning for season three of the record-breaking Showmax Original telenovela.
Stained Glass, the production company behind “The Wife”, has confirmed that Khoza, who played Mqhele in the first two seasons, will not come back for the new season.
Viewers of the telenovela should prepare themselves for a new face as “The Wife” is currently casting for a person to take over.
Speaking about his departure, Khoza said: “Having had the privilege to play Mqhele Zulu for two seasons, I realise I’ve taken the character as far as I can.”
He added that he is looking forward to seeing how the new season will unfold.
“I’m part of finding the perfect replacement and will be watching from the sidelines to support and offer advice where needed. I know that the actor who takes over will build from where I left off, so I’m looking forward to joining the 5am club to see how the incredible love stories between the brothers and their wives play out this season. It’s not often that a show this powerful comes into the world, so we should continue to champion and encourage the talented people who will take us forward in S3,” said Khoza
Series producer Kamogelo Aphane explained how hard it will be for viewers to let go of Khoza’s Mqhele.
“We know fans are going to find it hard to let go of their picture of Mqhele as Bonko, just as they found it hard, when he was first cast, to let go of the bug-eyed Mqhele they had pictured from the book.
“But ‘The Wife’ has shown that when you go looking for new talent in South Africa, you find it. So we encourage the 5am club to open up their hearts to the next Mqhele, and help us continue to open up the industry,” Aphane said.
Inspired by Dudu Busani-Dube’s best-selling book Naledi His Love, season three of “The Wife” will return to South African screens in November 2022 with Gaisang K Noge in the lead role as doctor Naledi Montsho, who is in love with Qhawe Zulu (2022 DStv Mzansi Magic Viewers’ Choice Rising Star winner Kwenzo Ngcobo), dubbed “the Woolworths of amadoda” by Twitter.