Mawande Memela set to leave Generations

Nambitha Mpumlwana (46), who plays Mawande Memela on Generations, is leaving the soapie. According to various reliable sources, it has been confirmed that her contract was not renewed. However, she will still be seen on TV until August since Generations episodes are recorded three months ahead of their airing.

Mawande is currently mentally ill after drinking tea she was given by her daughter Noluntu (Zenande Mfenyana). This is said to be part of her exit storyline, where she will end up being taken to a mental institution.

Nambitha joined the soapie near the end of 2011. She played the role of Mawande for less than two years although when she joined the soapie it was expected that she would stay a little bit longer.

It has been revealed that there are several reasons that resulted in her contract not being renewed. It is reported that she was unprofessional and too hard to handle. She reportedly had a habit of arriving late and unprepared at work. Her fellow actor told the Sunday Sun that sometimes she never pitched at work, which would mess up the recording schedule and inconvenience everyone else.

However, Generations' Executive Producer Mfundi Vundla said, "Mawande's story has run its course. Nambitha was cast as Mawande due to her capabilities as an actress. Writing out the character has nothing to do with her talent."

A while ago it was reported that other actors were unhappy acting with Nambitha as she was always treated better than them. Isolezwe Newspaper yesterday revealed that some actors felt that she looked down upon them since she has experience as a movie actress.

Nambitha made it clear that the fact that her contract was not renewed does not worry her at all. She said everything has an end and she is the kind of person who does not like to do one thing for too long. Her leaving Generations will give her time to focus on her other endeavours. She thanked Generations for the opportunity to play Mawande.