Vusi Kunene, a seasoned actor with a career spanning over five decades, has recently made the decision to depart from his role as Funani Zwide, the fashion mogul in eTV’s popular drama series, House of Zwide. According to a reliable source, the actor has chosen to take a hiatus from the entertainment industry, opting to take a break and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.
“He’s taking a break from acting, because he feels it’s time to take a break from the small screen. He wants to take things easy and relax, because he’s not getting any younger,” the source says.
“There haven’t been any talks of a possible replacement for him, and he most likely won’t be replaced, leaving yhe door open for him to return at a later stage should he wish to do so,” the source reveals.Kunene’s decision to step away from the small screen comes as no surprise, given his illustrious career and the physical and emotional demands that come with being a working actor. The source reveals that Kunene, who rose to prominence through his portrayal of the iconic character Jack Mabaso in the long-running soap opera Generations, feels that it is the right time to take a step back and focus on his personal well-being.
The actor’s exit from House of Zwide is expected to occur this month, as his character is written off the show. While there have been no discussions about a potential replacement, the source suggests that Kunene’s departure may be a permanent one, leaving the door open for a possible return at a later stage should he choose to do so.
eTV, the network that airs House of Zwide, has confirmed Kunene’s departure, stating that the actor has already completed his final scenes and will be off-screen by mid-July. This news has undoubtedly sent ripples through the South African entertainment landscape, as fans of Kunene’s work will surely miss his commanding presence on their television screens.
“He’s already done with shooting the last of his story, so he’ll finally be off screen in mid July,” the channel confirmed.