Forget SONA2018, the TV drama tonight will be Uzalo's celebrity funeral spectacle with Babes Wodumo and Hlengiwe Mhlaba.

Forget the State of the Nation 2018 broadcast on South African television on Friday evening - the TV drama will be in Uzalo tonight where the celebrity funeral spectacle to mourn MaNzuza and Smangele's after their double murder will be packed with stars, all snagging top seats from Babes Wodumo and gospel singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba, to Durban's current mayor all making appearances.

The weekday prime time telenovela on SABC1 will be a special hour long funeral episode tonight packed with histrionics and special guests.

The hour-long episode was filmed a month ago on 16 January as a razzmatazz TV funeral for the killed off characters of MaNzuza and Smangele who were both murdered after Leleti Khumalo quit the show for more money in e.tv's upcoming Imbewu also filmed in Durban and Sihle Ndaba got fired.

Viewers tonight are in for drama and emotional moments in scenes filmed on the Newlands sound stage in Durban where the Stained Glass TV production roped in guest stars like the current Durban mayor, Zandile Gumede who will make an appearance as a community representative.

The veteran gospel singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba will lead the congregants in some gospel melodies.

According to the producers the "the funeral service is a send-off that no-one expected will happen. People have to hold on to their faith, some on their weapons, to make sure that they stay alive and breathing".

Viewers will recognise familiar faces snapping up top seats at the TV celebrity funeral including Babes Wodumo - no visa required - and Mampintja, Tzozo, The Legacy, Selbeyonce, Zodwa Wabantu, Destruction Boyz, Dumi Mkostad and others.

Kid Sithole appears as Pastor Goba and Dudu Khoza is the master of ceremonies.

Uzalo characters from Mkhonto and Advocate Zulu to Mabuza, Sibahle, Mumsy, as well as Gundi and Jabulile go to church to mourn, plot and scheme in front of the caskets.

Tonight's special episode of Uzalo at 20:30 on SABC1 will also explore the theme of violence against women.

Uzalo kills off Leleti Khumalo's MaNzuza and Sihle Ndaba's Smangele in a double murder story line with an hour long funeral special episode on SABC1 set for 16 February.

Producers of the weekday drama Uzalo on SABC1 have decided to kill off the characters portrayed by Leleti Khumalo and Sihle Ndaba with a double murder story line that will get rid of the characters of MaNzuza and Smangele.

Leleti Khumalo decided to quit the show that is filmed and set in KwaMashu, Durban when contract negotiations for the 4th season didn't work out while the show's producers, Stained Glass TV, fired Sihle Ndaba.

The actors' exit from the show was announced in October 2017 with Leleti Khumalo who has been with the show from the show's start in February 2015.

The KwaMashu matriarch MaNzuza is murdered along with Smangele, with the prime time double murder that will result in a double funeral in the church set on the Newlands studio sound stage in Durban.

The Uzalo double funeral will be broadcast on SABC1 on Friday 16 February as an hour long special episode.

The tragic funeral - complete with church choir send-off and celebrity guests appearances - was filmed on Tuesday 16 January, a month before the SABC1 airdate.

So far there's been no statement or comment from Stained Glass TV and its co-owners Gugulethu Zuma ka Ncube and Pepsi Pokane about the characters being killed off and new additions to the show.

In December 2017 Uzalo retained it's title as the most watched show on SABC1 and in South Africa with 9.15 million (26.3 AR) viewers and a 68.2 share, meaning that more than 2 thirds of all switched-on TV sets in the country were tuned to the show during the 20:30 timeslot.

Leleti Khumalo leaving Uzalo, Sihle Ndaba out too as SABC1's KwaMashu-set soap charts a new direction for its 4th season starting February 2018.

Leleti Khumalo is leaving South Africa's most top rated TV show, with actress Sihle Ndaba out as well at Uzalo when the 4th season of the hit prime time soap will debut in February 2018 on SABC1.

The veteran thesp who've played the character of the KwaMashu matriarch MaNzuza said it's time to move on but Ndaba who played Smangele, said nothing.

Both characters will appear in the upcoming 4th season until the 6th episode.

The last day on set for Leleti Khumalo and Sihle Ndaba will be 15 December.

The hugely successful, on-location shot show is both the most watched show on SABC1 as well as the overall most watched show on South Africa, drawing 9.23 million viewers in September.

That also makes contract negotiations more difficult, since stars on hit shows want to feel that they're properly and adequately rewarded for turning stories into a success and reeling viewers in.

It's not clear what led to the exit of the actors and if it was because of re-upping contract negotiations for the 4th season possibly failed, but the show says "we have a clear stance where our onscreen talent is concerned".

"I am grateful for the opportunity, and the platform Uzalo provided for me to bond with the viewers, and my fans who have been a part of my journey over the years," says Leleti Khumalo in an exit statement.

"Whilst this has not been as easy decision for me as an artist, it is time for me to move on and grow professionally in other areas.”

The show's producers, Stained Glass TV, says Uzalo will continue to deliver "exciting plotlines" and will bring in some fresh faces.

"Leleti and Sihle have been such an incredible part of the Uzalo story and journey; they will always be part of the family," says Pepsi Pokane, co-owner of the production company.

"It has been a joy to work with them, and alongside the SABC we created the platform where they were able to showcase their talent so captivatingly."

"Parting ways with actors of such caliber is always going to be bittersweet, but we have no doubt they will continue to work their magic on the new trails they’ll be embarking on."

"We have a clear stance where our onscreen talent is concerned. We've always been committed to including fresh, new talent, while ensuring we had some seasoned, established players in our cast."

"The combination has worked perfectly for Uzalo and delivered results that’s kept viewers enthralled. We’ve got auditions coming up, and will be bringing on some amazing actors."