Uzalo star actress Dawn Thandeka King “MaNgcobo” has left South Africaโ€™s most watched TV show after five years of entertaining Mzansi soapie lovers, the Sowetan reports.

She has left the telenovela to pursue another leading role in a new show called Diepslot which is produced by Black Brain Pictures. The name will however change as the premier nears.

The 43-year-old actor has portrayed the role of MaNgcobo since 2015. The role not only turned her into a household name but won her critical acclaim and awards.

But now she has decided to leave and do something else, somewhere.

โ€œI didnโ€™t renew the contract and I will not be part of season seven. However, there are things that are still being discussed by production as we had not started shooting for the new season. So whatโ€™s going to happen in the story with the character are things that I canโ€™t share because I also donโ€™t know whatโ€™s going to happen,โ€ King said.

โ€œThanks to the audience for receiving the character for so long and loving her. I apologise to anyone that might be hurt by the fact that there might come a time that she is no more.โ€

Uzalo publicist Nomfundo Zondi declined to comment on Kingโ€™s exit and how the storyline would unfold without such a pivotal character.

โ€œUnfortunately, we donโ€™t have any official comment or statement on the matter,โ€ Zondi wrote in an email.

King said her decision to depart the show was a business one as she was relocating to Johannesburg from Durban. She said she already had a new project lined up and would share details about it in due course.

While Durban is emerging as a fast-growing television market, withย Uzalo, Imbewuย andย Durban Genย filming there, King opined that actors still reap the most rewards in Johannesburg.

The mother of five was married to Durban-based businessman Jabulani Msomi for 15 years until their marriage ended on 2017. She is currently in a relationship with Mlungisi Duncan.