It's a wrap as Uzalo says goodbye to two key cast members

• Uzalo's Nompilo Maphumulo and Menzi Biyela will leave the drama at the beginning of its ninth season early next year. 
• Maphumulo has been part of the show since season one, while Biyela joined after the community lost the church. 
• "We wish them all the best in their future endeavours," said series producer King David Mukwevho. 

Viewers of popular SABC 1 drama Uzalo will say goodbye to the characters of Nosipho (played by Nompilo Maphumulo) and Pastor Gwala (played by Menzi Biyela) when its ninth season debuts early next year.

"We want to take our hats off to the stellar performances of Nompilo and Menzi over the years," SABC 1 acting channel head Thuli Nhlapo said in a press statement. "Their portrayal of the characters, Nosipho and Pastor Gwala, will forever be embedded in the hearts and minds of our viewers."

Nhlapo added the quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: "Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending."

"As we look back at Nompilo's portrayal of Nosipho, the viewers have seen her fight with Nkunzi over her father's estate, making Nkunzi her enemy and almost being buried alive," the press statement continued. "She has fallen in love over the years with a ruthless criminal called Amos, a quick stint with Mondli, abusive Njeza and finally finding her prince charming in Pastor Gwala. She is business-minded and became the mashonisa (loan shark) of Kwa-Mashu and opened a business hub that created opportunities."

"Pastor Gwala came to Uzalo when the community had lost the church to Nkunzi and helped them wrestle the church from Nkunzi. In his journey, Pastor Gwala learns that Nkunzi is his biological father. Pastor Gwala has also been through his umjolo (relationship) tales over the years. The viewers have seen him fall in love with Zekhethelo, a forbidden relationship and has fallen in love with Nosipho, much to everyone's disapproval and distaste of their relationship."

Series producer King David Mukwevho said they were "incredibly honoured" to have worked with Maphumulo and Biyela.

"Nompilo has been an integral part of Uzalo since season; she has brought us a remarkable rendition of Nosipho that the fans will never forget, and Menzi's portrayal of Pastor Gwala has been nothing short of exemplary," he said. "Our viewers love them, and so do we. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours."