Culture Craze
Khabonina Qubeka’s Bittersweet Goodbye to Shaka iLembe
When a queen’s ending doesn’t go as planned
Khabonina Qubeka has never been the kind of actress who leaves audiences indifferent. Her portrayal of Queen Ntombazi in Shaka iLembe season two was unsettling, magnetic, and unforgettable. But when the finale aired, Qubeka was not celebrating. Instead, she admitted that the ending fans watched on screen was not the one she and the crew had filmed.
In a now-deleted post on X, the actress confessed that her “heart was shattered” after seeing the final cut. She explained that crucial scenes had been removed and others edited differently. “This was not the end we shot. I had dedicated that performance to you guys,” she wrote, adding crying and broken-heart emojis.
Fans wanted fire, not silence
The outcry followed a fan’s comment that Ntombazi’s death felt too simple. Many had expected the feared queen to draw on her witchcraft to escape. Qubeka responded that she had given her all in the performance, but much of it never reached the broadcast version.
Within hours, the actress deleted her post, later saying she did not want to disappoint her supporters further. Still, her words reflected the tension many performers feel when editing decisions reshape their work.
Ntombazi’s fall and Qubeka’s rise
In the storyline, the Ndwandwe kingdom falls to the Zulu forces, and Ntombazi meets her end. For viewers, it was a dramatic close to one of the most powerful and feared characters in the show.
Even with the controversy around the finale, Qubeka’s portrayal of Ntombazi remains widely praised. She brought a blend of regal calm and fiery menace, leaving audiences both riveted and repelled. Some loved to hate her. Others admired the sheer skill she brought to the role.
The actress herself once said that evoking such conflicted reactions was the “biggest compliment” to her craft. Week after week, social media lit up with conversations about Ntombazi, proving how deeply the character resonated.
A lasting legacy beyond the cut
At 44, Qubeka is more than an actress. She is also an entrepreneur and creative force who has built a reputation for bold, uncompromising performances. While she may not be satisfied with how her character’s final moments were edited, her work on Shaka iLembe has left a lasting mark.
As fans continue to share both praise and frustration online, one thing is clear: Khabonina Qubeka gave South African television one of its most memorable characters in recent years. Her Ntombazi may have fallen, but her performance will be remembered as a triumph.
Also read: Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma Returns with Bold New Podcast After Vuma FM Exit
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
