Popular actress Slindile Nodangala won't be returning for Season 2 of telenovela, Sbongile & the Dlaminis. ZiMoja has learned that the renowned actress has parted ways with the production, which airs on Mzansi Wethu, after they allegedly refused to change the name of one of the characters as per her request. 

SHE REQUESTED THE NAME CHANGE 

According to a source, things started going south when she complained to producers of the show to change the name of one of the characters because her priest has the same name as the character. The source told ZiMoja that at first, the production team thought she was joking and they did not take her request seriously. The source said the production started rolling to shoot more episodes and she became persistent with her unusual request. "She said she wanted to honour her priest by not using the name. She became uncomfortable sharing scenes with the character because she left like she was being disrespectful to her priest," the source said, adding that she could not compromise her religion over the soapie. "Then she chose the easiest way out, to walk out of the series. There were instances when she could not even pronounce the character's name when she was doing her scenes because she felt bad," added the source. "Surely the congregation knows she is an actress and it was just a coincidence that she acts along with the person who shares a character name with her priest. I suspect she was called out at church. Some people take acting seriously and they forget that it's just for entertainment," added the source.

CHANNEL CONFIRMS

In a statement to ZiMoja today, director of local entertainment at Mzansi Magic, Shirley Adonisi, confirmed that Nodangala who played the role of Deliwe Mbambo was leaving the show but said the reason she was leaving was because the story was evolving and new characters were joining the cast. "Slindile's portrayal of Deliwe was both captivating and divisive, making her a standout character. Her talent has shone brightly on this show and others across Mzansi," Adonisi said. Nodangala could not be reached for a comment.