by Thinus Ferreira
e.tv has cancelled its low-rated Nikiwe after just a few months after the local telenovela failed in the ratings race with too few viewers.
Nikiwe, created by Thomas Gumede and filmed in and around Soweto, launched eight months ago in mid-April with little fanfare and barely any e.tv publicity support, portraying the struggles and strife of the Radebe family empire.
Just a month after its April debut Nikiwe had already lost e.tv over 500 000 viewers.
Muzi Mthabela, a determined businessman played by Themba "Bhungane" Radebe" was the head of the wealthy Radebe family with his wife, Mirriam and three children Nikiwe, Menzi and Mandisa.
Eldest daughter Nikiwe (Lungelo Mpangase) and supposed heir to the Radebe empire was a socialite who quickly lost everything following tragedy at home and a shocking revelation that she wasn't the oldest child.
Production on the show by Parental Advisory Productions (PAP) - written by Bongi Ndaba with Thomas Gumede and Lungile Radu as co-executive producers - has already abruptly shut down a while ago after e.tv content executives had decided to cancel the show due to its viewership underperformance.
A few months ago the show's original head writer Siposethu Tshapu was abruptly replaced by the former Generations writer Bongi Ndaba in an attempt to try and boost the ratings which fell far short of e.tv's Scandal! and House of Zwide.
Nikiwe served as the replacement for e.tv's Durban Gen which itself canned after just two seasons. With little buzz and exposure, Nikiwe suffered in the ratings and had just 1.77 million viewers in November in its 18:30 timeslot, making it only the 9th most-watched show on e.tv last month.
In response to a media query, e.tv confirmed that Nikiwe was cancelled, noting that "The local prime-time drama on e.tv will be coming to an end early 2024".
"The show launched in April 2023 and filled the 18:30 slot. Unfortunately, the show has not continued to deliver anticipated ratings. The channel continually reviews programmes and storylines to ensure we give our viewers the best local entertainment. Further information regarding the replacement show will be shared soon."
Nikiwe which will end sometime in early 2024 on e.tv and its streaming service eVOD also starred Muzi Mthabela, Clementine Mosimane, Kenneth Nkosi and Israel Matseke Zulu.
