Just over a week after leaving House of Zwide to take from the showbiz scene, Vusi Kunene was expected to return to Generations: The Legacy to reprise his role as Jack Mabaso.
Kunene will make his on-screen return in the SABC 1 soap on Wednesday, 14 August.
Kunene, who formed part of the cast of the original Generations, previously left the show in 2021 after taking on roles in Isibaya and Isidingo.
In an unexpected turn of events, veteran actor Vusi Kunene will rejoin the cast of SABC1’s Generations: The Legacy to reprise his role as Jack Mabaso after exited e.tv’s House of Zwide last week to take a break from showbiz.
Struggling to come to terms with killing his archnemesis Nandipha (KB Motsilanyane), Kunene’s character, Funani Zwide, left bustling Johannesburg to start a new life in KZN last Monday.
“Vusi Kunene is one [of] the truly great actors! He will continue to heighten the standard of entertainment television in South Africa and beyond, reminding us of the iconic status of Generations,” Generations: The Legacy executive producer Mfundi Vundla said.The soap’s casting director, Russel Savadier, said he was “delighted” that Jack Mabaso was alive and “returning in dramatic fashion”.
“Vusi Kunene’s re-entry into our world is going to keep viewers glued to their seats!”
The award-winning actor was scheduled to make his return on Wednesday, 14 August.Kunene, who formed part of the cast of the original Generations, previously left the show in 2021 after rejoining the cast in 2015 after taking on roles in Isibaya and Isidingo.
Speaking to News24 about Kunene’s exit from House of Zwide, producer Thabo Boom said the actor had asked to be excused from the show to take a break from showbiz.
“Bra Vusi has been on SA screens daily for over 20 years, the leading man of many hit shows and asked to be excused from season 4 so he could take a break from the demanding schedule of daily TV and have some time to explore other genres and mediums,” he said.
“Jointly, we created an exit that is reflective of the respect for the character but also one that allows for a return when the right time comes. He will always be an important part of the House of Zwide and Bomb family.”
Last year, Kunene explored another medium when he starred as Seconds Khumalo in eVOD original movie, Seconds.
In the film, he starred as subservient man, who still lived in somewhat oppressive conditions with his white bosses in modern-day life.
“What I’d like for viewers to take from this movie is that life is a fight. You can’t stop fighting. Sometimes you have to box your way out even if you can’t see it,” he told News24 at the film’s screening.