‘The Wife‘ lead cast members bid their emotional goodbyes to actress Zikhona Sodlaka, however it was renowned SA entertainment commentator Phil Mphela’s heartfelt appeal to Stained Glass to submit the actress’ jaw-dropping S3 performance to the American National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for an Emmy that touched many a nerve as seen in the below tweet.
In the three episodes of ‘The Wife‘ that dropped Thursday, there were three deaths that became the pinnacle of this drama-filled season.
At the centre of it was feisty fan favourite Mandisa (Zikhona Sodlaka), whose husband Nqoba Zulu (Abdul Khoza) was buried the week before.
As Mandisa, Sodlaka was nominated for Best Female Actor at the 2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards and Best Supporting Actor at the 2022 SAFTAs – awards shows that named Abdul Favourite Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively.
As EWN’s Amo Ramela puts it, “It is tough to think of that union without smiling.”
With #thewifesouthafrica and Mandisa again trending on Twitter most part of this week, Sodlaka’s co-stars on the record-breaking, multi-award-winning telenovela shared what they’ve loved about working with her:
Abdul Khoza: “Mandisa will always be in our hearts”
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Zikhona Sodlaka, aka Mandisa on ‘The Wife‘,” says Abdul. “I want to thank you for the amazing job you did on the show. As one of the most acclaimed actresses I know, you always give your best. Your work speaks for itself. It was an honour having worked so closely with you.”
“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.
“I will always cherish our working relationship for the rest of my life. I really appreciate your dedication to the craft and the way you treated me as a fellow cast member. I also appreciate how you managed to bring us together as the Zulu brothers on and off set. Thank you for also embodying the role of a mother (which we so greatly needed) in this rather unconventional family unit we’ve created as a cast. Mandisa will always be in our hearts. Thank you, Zikhona.”
Khanyi Mbau: “Every moment with her on set was crazy”
“Working with Zee was emotional,” says Khanyi Mbau, who plays Zandile. “She’s a bubbly, loving but very serious being who loves music and is a total contrast from what you see on screen. She’s a respectful being and very loyal to her craft.”
“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’ve learned so much from Zikhona”
“It’s been such a great honour to work with Zikhona and I’ve learnt so much from her,” says Kwenzo Ngcobo, who plays this season’s male lead, Qhawe Zulu. “Sadly, she’s leaving, but that’s something we can’t control because it’s part of the story. She has left a great mark and taught us so much.”
Added 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.”
Read Sodlaka’s parting words to the smash hit Showmax Original by clicking this link.
