Culture Craze

Muvhango Ends After 28 Years; Cast Shares Emotional Farewells

Published

2 months ago

July 24, 2025

Chiraag

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After nearly three decades, the final episode of Muvhango will air on Friday, 8 August 2025, at 21h00 on SABC2, marking the end of a beloved chapter in South African television. The series holds the distinction of being the nation’s first-ever Tshivenda-language soap, and its goodbye comes with mixed emotions across the country.

A Cultural Game-Changer

When Muvhango first aired in April 1997 under the vision of creator Duma Ndlovu, it broke new ground. It introduced Venda culture and language to mainstream TV, addressing themes of tradition, family, power, and modernity in a way that felt fresh and authentic to many viewers around the country.

Familiar Faces We Grew With

For almost thirty years, viewers have cheered on iconic characters like Chief Azwindini, Thandaza Mokoena, Susan Mukwevho, Vho Mulimisi, and KK Mulaudzi. Their stories, woven by actors such as Gabriel Temudzani, Dingaan Khumalo, Lindiwe Chibi, and Macdonald Ndou, turned household names into national relics.

Behind-the-Scenes Goodbye

In a touching farewell, the cast and crew shared emotional behind-the-scenes footage from their last day on set. Wavhudi Lidzhegu, who played Vhutshilo, openheartedly admitted how tough it was saying goodbye after nearly a decade. Other crew members, including coordinator Bongiwe Mavuso and production manager Malisela Seshibedi, also spoke movingly about how meaningful the experience had been.

Viewership Wanes, and SABC Steers a New Course

Over the years, audiences began drifting away, with weekly viewership dipping from millions to under one million. Production challenges and increasing costs led SABC2 to announce the show’s end in mid‑2025. In its wake, a new drama titled Pimville Queens, produced by Bakwena Productions, is set to take over the time slot starting August 2025.

The Curtain Falls, the Legacy Lives On

Though the final scenes may signal the end of an era, Muvhango leaves behind a rich legacy: breaking language barriers, representing Venda heritage, and changing the shape of South African storytelling. Its ripple effect will live on in local dramas, on screen and behind the lens. For South African TV, that’s a legacy worth remembering.