Actor Abdul Khoza has made quite an impression on “The Wife”, and his departure from the telenovela has been a bitter-sweet experience for those who had workedwith him.
Fans of “The Wife” continuously raved about Khoza’s performance as the hot-headed Zulu brother, Nqoba Zulu, describing it as perfect casting.
The star, born in KwaMashu in Durban, earned himself a DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Favourite Actor Award for the role earlier this year and also took home his second Golden Horn when he won Best Supporting Actor in a Telenovela at the 2022 South African Film and Television Awards.
For those who have been following the lives of the Zulu brothers since the beginning of the telenovela, the formidable crime family has come to feel like family to a lot of fans.
Saying goodbye to Nqoba was never going to be easy, and it certainly has not been easy for Khoza’s co-stars, who have built a strong bond with him from the start of this journey.
The cast of “The Wife”said:
Actress Zikhona Sodlaka, who plays Mandisa: “What an incredible opportunity it is to work with such a talented man. I think our chemistry worked because of how dynamic yet similar our characters are. The one is a female version of the other, and vice versa. He is the scene partner I didn’t know I needed. We got to play so much on set.”
Mondli Makhoba, who plays the eldest Zulu brother, Nkosana: “We were always on our toes because of how good he is. I really enjoyed working with Abdul. I think the off-set relationship we had made it easier for the on-screen chemistry. I was lucky to have an opportunity to work with him because of how good he is.”
Actress Mbalenhle Mavimbela, who portrays one of the Zulu matriarchs, Hlomu: “Oh man! I have so many memories with Abdul, but my favourite one was when he jumped on the table to try to reach one of the brothers. That showed how much he cared about Hlomu and Mbali.”
Kwenzo Ngcobo, who plays Qhawe, the season 3 lead: “We will miss Abdul so much. It was wonderful working with him and there are so many fond memories still playing in my mind. He is a great leader and an icon. The fact that I got to share a screen with an actor like him is an honour. What an inspiring man. Working with Abdul taught me so many things.”