Veteran actor Gabriel Temudzani on saying goodbye to Muvhango: ‘It is still sad’

South African actor Gabriel Temudzani recently bid farewell to his iconic role as Chief Vhafuwi Azwindini on Muvhango.

He was the show’s longest-serving actor, having joined the show at the age of 20 in 2000.

Temudzani says he has learned great lessons from the Chief that he has taken into his personal life.

“Playing a character like Azwindini, who is Venda, who embodies his being… has an impact in one’s life. Especially when you go out there and people want to relate to you as the character."

“I learnt the sense of leadership that the character embodied [and] a sense of family, that family is everything that needs to be protected,” he says.

Despite playing other roles over the years, he remains known for his confidence as the Venda Chief, a trait he does not mind.

“It doesn’t worry me. For me, it is an appreciation of the good work that I am doing. This space is very wide, there are a lot of actors who are doing their best but don’t get the same appreciation that you get, so you need to cherish the love and reciprocate the appreciation,” he says.

The curtain closed on Muvhango in August, when its last episode aired.

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Temudzani says it was unfortunate because there are not many television shows that give a platform to minority cultures and languages, such as Venda.

“It is still sad… [more] than ever before, there are people who watch television that can’t watch or see themselves, see their own reflection."

“Through Muvhango, we had some shortcomings here and there, but we played a very significant role in forging social cohesion, giving young and old people the opportunity to showcase their talent. [It] gave our people a reflection of who they are, and we were building a community,” he adds.

To listen to actor Gabriel Temudzani in conversation with 702’s Clement Manyathela, click the audio below: