Mqhele Zulu: SA's national husband' Bonko Khoza exits The Wife'After two seasons as Mqhele Zulu in The Wife', SAFTA-nominated actor Bonko Khoza is leaving the much-loved series.
by Naledi de Wee
15-08-2022 15:50
in Entertainment
Bonko Khoza played Mqhele Zulu in Showmax's The Wife' and now two seasons later, he is leaving the series. Image: Supplied
After playing Mzansi's national husband Mqhele Zulu on Showmax's The Wife for two seasons, SAFTA-nominated actor Bonko Khoza is leaving the drama series. Stained Glass, the production company behind The Wife is searching South Africa for a new actor to take over as Mqhele.
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ALSO READ: I completely gave myself to this role': The Wife's' Bonko Mqhele' Khoza
THE WIFE' RETURNS WITHOUT BONKO KHOZA The Wife is set to return to Showmax for season three in November with Gaisang K Noge taking centre stage as doctor Naledi Montsho who is in love with Qhawe Zulu, played by award-winning actor Kwenzo Ngcobo.
Sadly for viewers, Bonko Khoza will be leaving the series. Khoza became a household name during The Wife and scored nominations at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) and the DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards for the role.
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We know fans are going to find it hard to let go of their picture of Mqhele as Bonko, just as they found it hard, when he was first cast, to get let of the bug-eyed Mqhele they had pictured from the book, said Kamogelo Aphane.
But The Wife has shown that when you go looking for new talent in South Africa, you find it. So we encourage the 05:00 club to up their hearts the next Mqhele and help us continue to open up the industry.
BONKO KHOZA ON HIS EXIT Commenting on his exit from The Wife, Bonko Khoza said he was taken the character as far as he can.
I'm part of finding the perfect replacement and will be watching from the sidelines to support and offer advice where needed. I know that the actor who takes over will build from where I left off, so I'm looking forward to joining the 05:00 club to see how the incredible love stories between the brothers and their wives play out this season, said Khoza.
It's not often that a show this powerful comes into the world, so we should continue to champion and encourage the talented people who will take us forward in season three.
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ALSO READ: Haibo! The Wife' actor Bonko Khoza helps himself to fan's meal [watch]
THE WIFE' SEASON 3
The first season of The Wife focused on Hlomu (Mbalenhle Mavimbela) and Mqhele's (Bonko Khoza) love story. Season two of the series focused on Zandile (Khanyi Mbau) and Nkosana (Mondli Makhoba) and season three will focus on Naledi (Gaisang K Noge) and Qhawe (Kwenzo Ngcobo) who won the Rising Star Award at the DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards.
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Mqhele Zulu: SA's national husband' Bonko Khoza exits The Wife'After two seasons as Mqhele Zulu in The Wife', SAFTA-nominated actor Bonko Khoza is leaving the much-loved series. 
