Actors Tony Kgoroge, Phindile Gwala reportedly return to 'Imbewu'

Actors Tony Kgoroge, Phindile Gwala reportedly return to ‘Imbewu’

Sources from ‘Imbewu: The Seed’ reveal producers brought back actors Tony Kgoroge and Phindile Gwala, who played Zimele and Fikile Bhengu.

'Imbewu: The Seed' actors Tony Kgoroge and Phindile Gwala as Zimele Bhengu and Fikile Bhengu. Images via Twitter @etvImbewu

Popular actors Tony Kgoroge and Phindile Gwala, who played father-daughter Zimele Bhengu and Fikile Bhengu have reportedly returned to e.tv’s telenovela Imbewu: The Seed.

ALSO READ:‘The reports are false’: ‘Imbewu: The Seed’ denies firing Phindile Gwala

FIKILE AND ZIMELE BHENGU RESURRECTED?

City Press reveals that producers of e.tv telenovela Imbewu: The Seed have allegedly resurrected dead characters Zimele Bhengu and Fikile Bhengu, played by actors Tony Kgoroge and Phindile Gwala to boost ratings.

Kgoroge, who portrayed the character of Zimele “Ngcolosi” Bhengu, exited the show in 2020 while Gwala’s character Fikile was cut short in November 2021.

A crew member told the publication that Zimele will return and Kgoroge is allegedly back on set, filming for his grand return.

“Tony has started filming on set with the other actors for his return. They needed to bring him back because the viewership numbers are not doing very well and they had to bring him back.”

However, Kgoroge who reportedly left the show due to salary disputes denied that he was back with Imbewu when contacted.

“I am not filming anything with Imbewu now. They have not approached me or anything like that,” he said.

Another source revealed that former Muvhango actress Phindile Gwala-Ngandu whose character committed suicide a year ago has also returned.

“Phindile has a following that watches the show and her presence on the show was felt because of her fan base, plus she is a good-looking person, and a gap on the show was felt [after she left],” the source added.

‘IMBEWU: THE SEED’ MUM ON ACTORS ALLEGED RETURN

E.tv’s spokesperson Thapelo Ramatsui did not yet respond to City Press at the time of publishing this article.

It is also believed the show is bringing back old actors after a group of KwaZulu-Natal organisations threatened to block filming after the show made drastic cost-cutting measures, which led to more than 80 casts and crew leaving the Durban-based show within a year.

City Press reported in June that the Ethekwini District United Organisations complained that Imbewu: The Seed did not use proper isiZulu on the show and was instead using what it termed “Gauteng lingua”.

The group also complained that the actors’ departure’ had affected the storyline of the show.

TVSA reports that Imbewu received 4.4 million viewers in August 2020 when Kgoroge left the show, was on 3.8 million in August 2021 when Gwala was still part of the show, and is currently on 3 million viewers in August 2022.

ALSO READ:‘She’s incompetent’: ‘Imbewu: The Seed’ fires Phindile Gwala (Fikile)

ALSO READ:EDUO may block ‘Imbewu’ over departures of 80 cast & crew members

ALSO READ:Actress Lusanda Mbane confirms ‘Imbewu: The Seed’ departure

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