Actress Nsikelelo Mthiyane joins Sibongile & the Dlaminis as the new Sibongile , taking over from Luyanda Zwane.

DStv’s hit telenovela, Sibongile & the Dlaminis, has been given the green light for a second season. However, fans will be disappointed to learn that the talented leading actress, Luyanda “Lou” Zwane, will not be returning for the next installment.

According to City Press, the cast and crew members of the Rhythm World Productions show began filming at the beginning of the month, and only recently found a replacement for Zwane.Sibongile & the Dlaminis stole the show in April, captivating over 1.4 million viewers. And it seems the magic didn’t fade in March, with just over 1 million viewers tuning in.

City Press has an exclusive scoop for you: the talented actress Nsikelelo Mthiyane, who is making waves in the TV industry, has been chosen as the new Sibongile, replacing Zwane.According to a well-informed insider, Mthiyane had already begun shooting earlier this week.

The source revealed: "When they started filming for season 2, Luyanda had already left, so they had to find another person to take over the role. Filming started as they were looking for a replacement. They’ve finally found one and she’s a fresh face, just like Luyanda was when she started."

The departure of Zwane from the Duma Ndlovu-produced show has left everyone puzzled. Sources close to the production have provided conflicting explanations, while the channel, the production house, and Zwane herself have chosen to remain tight-lipped about the situation.

The Durban-born actress and model made her debut in the telenovela when it premiered in July last year on Mzansi Wethu.The show, airing every week from Monday to Wednesday, has a charming resemblance to the classic Cinderella tale.

Luyanda Zwane’s portrayal of Sibongile could be considered her standout performance of last year. However, she also showcased her talent in other notable shows like Miseducation, Outlaws, Redemption, and Shaka Ilembe.According to her supporters, the production was far from being a pleasant workplace, which ultimately led to her decision to resign.

A source said: "Money couldn’t have been an issue because Luyanda’s still new in the industry; the show was her big break and she’s young. There was no way she thought she was being underpaid. That place simply isn’t healthy. She just couldn’t take it anymore, so she left."

Zwane’s unhappiness remained a mystery as the individual failed to provide any specific details.
According to the source, it seems that the actress wasn’t enticed away from Sibongile & the Dlaminis by more enticing opportunities, as far as they know.