SO NOT BROKE!
It’s time to say goodbye to Thembeka, the scandalous villain we love to hate.
Hi tvplus. Did Thembeka leave Scandal! because they got less money for production this year and she didn’t want to take a pay cut? Rumour has it… – PATRICIA, DURBAN We can confidently say that this rumour is busted. Scandal! production tells tvplus, “This is not true and Scandal! is business as usual.” Masasa’s reasons for leaving aren’t about money. She told tvplus, “I have a stunning relationship with Ilse (Scandal! producer Ilse van Hemert) and our creative producer Grace Mahlaba, who is a renowned actress herself. They were incredibly supportive of my decision because they understand the nature of being a performer: you need to find ways to replenish the well because if that well has run dry, then you’re working like a robot. I don’t aspire to work like a robot; I want to perform with joy.” NB!
Scandal! Weekdays e.tv (*194) 19:30
Prepare for an online riot, Scandal! viewers. Thembeka’s (Masasa Mbangeni) trial comes to a close with the judge handing down the verdict on Wednesday 25 May on whether or not she murdered Vuyo Mabutya (Zizi Penteni). But no matter whether she’s found guilty or innocent, Thembeka’s lost her case in the court of her hubby Quinton’s (Brighton Ngoma) heart. Ever since Vince’s (Ithumeleng Morabela) testimony triggered Quinton’s wedding night memories on Wednesday 18 May, he’s been piecing together the evidence in horror and by Friday 20 May, he was convinced that his wife’s guilty. And he’s due for another shock after the trial on Wednesday 25 May when one last, huge Thembeka secret is uncovered. Expect some harsh “closing remarks” between the couple on Thursday 26 May when Quinton sees his wife’s true face for the first time. It’s been an outstanding goodbye for one of Scandal!’s hardestworking and most devious villains.
JUSTICE FOR THEMBEKA
“The entire trial was written so beautifully that some moments I wasn’t acting shocked; I was shocked along with the audience,” says Masasa. “Everyone in the cast understood the stakes and gave it their all. Five years ago, this character gave me an opportunity and I had no idea where it would go. I knew I had to do her justice when I left and I’m so happy to be able to say farewell to the character on such a high note.” Masasa took a moment with us to look back at Thembeka’s triumphs on Thursday 24 March before the cast and crew hustled her off for her farewell party…
TOP FAVOURITE
“I’ve been so fortunate to have people write stunning stories for my character to play. If it wasn’t so stressful, the May 2015 wedding would have been my favourite moment,” Masasa admits. “The whole preparation for it, including fitting the dress, felt like preparation for a real wedding. I was wondering, ‘Gosh am I going to fit into the dress?’ The wedding was fun.” And she jokes, “If nobody died, it would’ve been great.”