‘Scandal!’ star Matthews Rantsoma ‘pursues other ventures’

‘Scandal!’ confirms fan-favourite actor Matthews Rantsoma, who plays Nhlamulo Maseko is leaving the e.tv soapie, 

Long running soapie Scandal! reveals that actor Matthews Rantsoma, who portrays the role of Nhlamulo has resigned.

‘SCANDAL!’: STATEMENT

Entertainment commentator Mlu reports that popular Scandal! star Mathews Rantsoma has resigned from the soapie.

“Mathews Rantsoma who plays the role of Nhlamulo on #etvScandal has resigned from the popular show. The young talented thespian will exit the show on 24 July. Below is the comment from the channel,” writes Mlu.

The e.tv show reportedly shared in a statement that the talented actor has requested to be written out as Nhlamulo Maseko to pursue other ventures. 

“Matthews approached us to advise us that he would like to pursue other ventures. The production and the channel support his decision and have agreed to release him. He will exit the story at the end of July. We wish success in his future,” reads the statement.

Rantsoma joined the popular soapie in 2021 as Lindiwe’s (Nomvelo Makhanya) lover and Vuvu’s (Mamarumo Marokane) baby daddy.

IOL reports that Nhlamulo left female fans weak-kneed when he made his debut on the show. His poetic lingo earned the actor the nickname of “Kasi Shakespeare”.

When Nhlamulo’s first wife, Lindiwe died after giving birth to their daughter, Larona, he married his first baby mama, Vuvu.

News of Rantsoma’s exit comes after the Broadcasting Research Council of South Africa (BRCSA) revealed in March and April that Scandal! lost its signature first position.

The popular soapie is currently in fifth place with 3.8 million viewers, according to the April viewing figures.

MATTHEWS RANTSOMA BIDS FAREWELL TO NOMVELO MAKHANYA

The actor Matthews Rantsoma stole the hearts of Scandal!’s fans when he pursued his first wife, Lindiwe and married her. 

According to iHarare, Rantsoma bid farewell to his former on-screen wife Nomvelo Makhanya in a 2022 interview with e.tv.

“I think Nomvelo is one of those people whose energy is very contagious. You know [she] is one of those energies you can’t exactly do without. If she is not there you feel it, she is not there. She is sick you feel it, she’s sick. So her energy is what I miss the most. But working with her has been very, very blissful for me. Very fun.”  

Rantsoma added that he and Makhanya often kept each other in check and safe while acting together.  

“We kept each other in check. We kept each other in line. We kept each other safe. I think that’s the most beautiful thing about working with her is that she will keep you safe. You are always safe with her.”  

“Stay beautiful. Stay yourself. Stay as honest as possible. Fight for the things that you are fighting for. Stay in your bubble. No one must disturb your peace. Most of all I love you so much, my baby. I love you very, very much. But stay in your bubble.”  

SOAPIE FANS REACT TO ACTOR’S DEPARTURE

@SnehBongekile: “He’s a very talented actor I wish him nothing but the best in his future plans but yhooo iskhala sakhe sizobakhona shame.”

@JustLebogang: “Bathong. I wonder what they did to him. These actors sometimes work under pressure. Sometimes they are really not happy at work. I wish him all the best. He is great at acting.”

@mphoray22: “These actors will bore you with this tendency, like why did they even start acting in the first place? Just like Cornet Mamabolo (Tbose from Skeem Saam). They make us fall in love with them then boom! They’re gone.”

@dima_onzima: “Coming from him makes sense. His character had no growth without a good storyline. All the best to him!”

@chestermayifo: “I’m worried about characters such as Tlhogi, Vuvu, Mdala, Taps, Simeone, Mihloti, Mokone, Prudence.”

@gob_miss: “I knew his onto more bigger things. His acting is top tier and can’t be ignored. Congratulations in advance Mathews.”