Cast of ‘The Wife’ bid farewell to ‘uMaka Ndumiso’: ‘She’s special, she’s humble’

What started out as a winning team and untouchable family is slowly breaking apart on The Wife.

The one couple that coloured outside the lines and lived according to their own terms is out of the Zulu family equation. 

The most recent actress to leave the telenovela is Zikhona Sodlaka, and the cast who have worked with her from season 1 shared their fondest memories with TshisaLIVE.

Abdul Khoza

“Thank you for the chemistry we built as a family. I was always looking forward to seeing where our story was going. I’m grateful to have seen you take this role and transform it into a role that is loved by viewers. I know a lot of people will be hurt by your exit, but I am also certain that where you’re going, you’ll continue to shine like you always do."

Khanyi Mbau

“Every moment with her on set was crazy; once she becomes Mandisa, she’s hilarious. My fondest memory must be how I hated scenes when Mandisa had to physically run. I hated them because chasing her was a mission. Zee is an athlete; she ran. Now imagine Zandile in heels, a tired soul trying to chase Mandisa and trying to physically keep her down."

Kwenzo Ngcobo

“I have so many memories of Zikhona, and every time she was on set was special. I hope to work with her again in the future. One of my favourite scenes of her is in the first episode of season 1. It’s the scene where she walks into the Zulu mansion and asks Nqoba about going to watch soccer when he’s going to a braai. That was a fun scene to shoot and she did an amazing job in bringing the Mandisa character to life.”

Mondli Makhoba

“Having a chance to work with her, and just to be in the same space with her, was magical. Whenever she was on set, it was always interesting. I always looked forward to seeing how she was going to treat a certain scene. I like that she’s an actor who prepares but she didn’t restrict herself: she was always open to what comes to mind at that particular time and ran with it. She’s that type of an actor who gets one scene but has multiple ways to do it. She’s smart and works hard, on top of the natural gift she has. I think that’s why her work connects with people and the reason she’s always working. ”

Sipho Ndlovu

“I just want to say we will miss Zikhona. She’s special, she’s humble and she knows her work. She always brought a smile and was always willing to work. Zikhona, thanks for the role you played in uniting us. May you flourish wherever you go and continue sharing your magic with everyone you get to work with.”