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Sometimes, it takes having something once more in your life to realise just how much you missed it in its absence.
For actor Gabriel Temudzani, it was going to the gym in the morning and then dropping his kids off at school, which he missed doing during his many years on the set of popular Tshivhenda telenovela Muvhango.
In the month that the 43-year-old has not had to wake up in the wee hours to go on set, he’s been happy to do the things he missed out on.
His character, chief Azwindini Mukwevho of Thathe, has taken a bow after gracing South African’s screens for the past two decades. Muvhango is one of the country’s longer running shows, airing every weekday at 9pm on SABC2.
This week, viewers of the soapie witnessed the demise of the chief when Tenda (portrayed by Nathaniel Ramabulana) set him alight in an act of vengeance.
When asked what his last day on screen was like, Temudzani, who joined the telenovela in 2000, said: “It was a dizzying day, compounded by messages and calls. Some were just asking if it’s true, why I was leaving and if I wanted them to talk to the producers. There were messages of appreciation, if not acknowledging, the journey travelled thus far, which was very fulfilling and encouraging.
“Through the work that we do, we manage to encourage, if not inspire, the multitudes of our people. From where I sit, it gives one [the ability] to say you have done what needed to be done and therefore you can now chill.”
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The actor, who also works as an MC and television presenter, told City Press that it was time to close the curtain on his character, even though doing so was emotional.
“Parting ways is never good, even if you are parting ways with people you were no longer in accordance with. I’m fortunate that I’m parting ways in harmony, where there is no negativity, so that gives me a sense of family, to say I have established relations with people who regarded me as part of a family. It was emotional, but one is happy knowing that ... you can still reach out to the family and they can embrace you with love and appreciation,” said Temudzani.
He said his leaving had nothing to do with the telenovela’s salary woes, which has seen cast and crew downing tools on more than one occasion.
“Some things have become a norm, and you find mechanisms of manoeuvring your life around. It has got nothing to do with that. I’m glad I left in an amicable way, to the extent that, if there’s a need for me to go back, I can reach out to say let’s explore the options. There is no bad blood between the producers and I,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude and respect for the 23 years he spent on Muvhango.
“It was a great honour. [The show afforded me] an opportunity to showcase not only my talent, but also my culture and my language, and to give the young African child a sense of hope to say this is doable.
“I had a great time there, even though there were times when one was engulfed by a sense of despair and rejection, but the responsibility was bigger than despair. The people of Venda were rallying behind me and that kept me going.”
Temudzani would not share what his next project would be, suffice to say he is getting his ducks in a row and considering getting into agriculture.
“It’s still early to say, but let’s see how it goes. When the right time comes, I will break the ice. In the meantime, I want to encourage people to continue watching the show to see how things unfold and which direction the storyline will take.
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“For now, though, it’s just me, my kids, my family and travelling. I’m venturing into farming as well,” he said.
The chief of Thathe will be laid to rest later this month, in accordance with royal family customs.
