Earlier this week, “Muvhango” fans were shocked to find out that the long-standing soapie will no longer be airing, after more than two and a half decades on South African screens.
Taking to social media, the production posted: “End of the Road for Muvhango, Thank you for watching all these years. #muvhango”.
Produced by Word of Mouth Productions, the series has over the years seen award-winning actors like Sindi Dlathu, Dingaan Khumalo, Gabriel Temudzani, Joyce Skefu and Siyabonga Thwala, among other Mzansi veterans, enter and exit the show.
Viewers have since taken to social media to express their disappointment at the show ending. Many have also highlighted the pivotal role that it played to the Tshivenda community.
@ladyhuneybee wrote on X: “Tshisa fheli tshiya Tula 🥺🥺😭 Muvhango story line raised us and some people would watch it to learn the language.”
Tshisa fheli tshiya Tula 🥺🥺😭 Muvhango story line raised us and some people would watch it to learn the language.
— Gloriaaa ❤️😍 (@ladyhuneybee) July 2, 2024
@WarLoveStories commented: “You fought a good fight. You documented and preserved Tshivenda. It’s a pity because this has negative implications to that minority population sub-group. Leaving it vulnerable to dying slowly.”
You fought a good fight. You documented and preserved Tshivenda. It's a pity because this has negative implications to that minority population sub-group. Leaving it vulnerable to dying slowly.
Since the social media outcry, the public broadcaster has released a statement announcing that the channel will be airing retro episodes of the show as part of their 30 years of democracy celebrations.
“SABC2 announces that the channel will take the ‘Muvhango’ viewers down memory lane with the broadcast of the retro episodes of this iconic soapie.
“Muvhango debuted in 1997, broadcasting once a week and grew to become a daily soapie.
“As part of celebrating 30 years of democracy, SABC2 will broadcast ‘Muvhango’, starting from season 1 and (will) provide an opportunity to showcase the historical moments of this iconic production to audiences who may not have seen the show from the beginning”.
The statement added that the show was the first-ever Tshivenda television drama to present South African citizens who have not had the chance to travel to Venda in Limpopo, which is one of the most beautiful places in Mzansi.
“The episodes aim to celebrate the success that ‘Muvhango’ has been to the SABC and the South African citizens.
“Having been on air for 27 years is a massive milestone and reflects the remarkable talent of the cast and crew of this production and its management team,” it ended.
Watch the trailer below
🚨🚨 30 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY WITH MUVHANGO 🚨🚨
In celebration of 30 Years of Democracy, we are taking you way way back where everything began.
Tune in to the 1st ever episode of Muvhango Tonight at 21:00 on #SABC2SiLaFamilia
Also available on our Redesigned @SABCplus #Muvhango pic.twitter.com/1Q3lXxuDNr