Actress Gugu Gumede has opened up about the impact her weight loss journey has had on her acting career, revealing that the changes have gone far beyond her physical appearance.

The former Uzalo star recently reflected on how losing weight has affected the kinds of characters she is now considered for. According to Gumede, one of the biggest shifts has been finally being able to play roles that match her actual age.

Gugu Gumede – Instagram

For years, audiences associated the actress with older characters, particularly her well-known role as Prophetess MaMlambo on Uzalo.

Gumede revealed that she was only 24 years old when she landed the role that would become the defining part of her career. Despite her age, the role required her to portray a much older character.
Gumede said that after the role gained popularity, she continued to receive offers to play older characters throughout much of her career.

Gugu Gumede – Instagram

That pattern began to change after she underwent gastric sleeve surgery in early 2024, a decision she has previously described as life-changing. Since losing weight, the actress says she has started receiving opportunities to portray characters who are closer to her age, resulting in different acting opportunities.

She also shared that she now feels more capable of meeting the physical demands of certain roles and productions. She said the weight loss has made it easier to meet the physical demands of certain roles.

Gugu Gumede – Instagram

Her comments come after she has spent the past two years speaking openly about her health journey. In previous interviews and social media updates, Gumede explained that concerns about her wellbeing played a major role in her decision to pursue weight-loss surgery. She discussed experiencing physical discomfort and worries about long-term health risks, particularly because high blood pressure runs in her family.

Gumede also revealed that she has secured what she considers one of the biggest roles of her career. She is set to appear in Netflix’s upcoming drama series The Polygamist, where she will take on the role of Joyce Gomora.

The role adds another major production to her acting portfolio.

Thabsile Zikhali, popularly known as Thabsie, showed how she spent her vacation. This was done by showing a series of photos on her Instagram page. The singer has millions of m followers which was built through her music and lifestyle content. The post was meant to share moments of how she spends her time away from her busy schedule.

The vacation pictures showed her in selected holiday outfits, Thabsie photos were a mix of leisure activities and fitted clothing. She was dressed in a Monaco cropper jacket and seamless tummy tuck leggings. The pictures were taken around and inside a helicopter. Fans filled the comments section with compliments, praising both the destination and her fashion choices.

Photo: Instagram

Akhenime Mfenyana wrote,

“The flyest”

Thabsile replied that it would have made a good caption.

Read Also: Wild West! Thabsie Makes Cowgirl Style Look So Good

Songs like Ngiyaz’fela Ngawe with Kwesta, made her one of the fans favourite. Over the years, she has used her social media platforms to show numerous content about fashion and music.

Photo: Instagram

Fashion remained one of the standout features of the vacation update. Throughout the post, Thabsie showed how she incorporates pieces that complemented the  atmosphere. The latest images reinforced her knowledge about lifestyle.

The getaway showed the importance of taking time off in a demanding career. For artists whose schedules are  filled with performances al and recording sessions, vacations provide an opportunity to recharge.

Photo: Instagram

As the singer continues to evolve in her career, her latest vacation content reminds everyone why she is popular in South African entertainment. Whether through music or fashion, Thabsie continues to engage with audiences around the world.

South African reality television often focuses on glamour and controversy, but Londie London says her new series will focus more on motherhood, recovery and rebuilding her life after years of public attention.

The musician and media personality’s new reality show, Life With Londie London, recently premiered on Mzansi Magic. The series gives viewers a closer look at her personal life, including the challenges of raising children while managing work and public scrutiny.

Londie, whose real name is Londiwe Zulu, became widely known through her music career, social media presence and appearances on reality television, including The Real Housewives of Durban. However, she says the new show is focused less on image and more on her day-to-day experiences as a mother and businesswoman.

Londie London – Instagram

In interviews promoting the series, Londie admitted that allowing cameras back into her private life was not always easy. She said there were moments during filming when she questioned whether she wanted certain personal experiences shown publicly.

The show follows her as she balances motherhood, business responsibilities, music and family life. It also touches on the pressure that comes with constant public commentary and online criticism.

Londie has also spoken openly about being misunderstood by the public. She explained that many people see her as reserved or overly polished, while she considers herself private about her personal life.

Londie London – Instagram

That honesty appears to shape much of the series. Instead of presenting a carefully managed celebrity image, the show includes moments where Londie discusses the difficulties of parenting, relationships and rebuilding after personal setbacks.

The series arrives at a time when South African reality television is increasingly focused on personal experiences and family life rather than conflict-driven storylines. Shows centred on emotional honesty and personal recovery have continued to attract strong audience interest across television and streaming platforms.

Londie London – Instagram

While Life With Londie London still includes elements of the lifestyle associated with her public image, Londie says the series is ultimately about rebuilding her life and moving forward after difficult experiences. She has repeatedly said she hopes viewers, especially women facing similar challenges, will relate to parts of her journey.

For viewers familiar with Londie through music, social media and reality television, the series offers a more personal look at her life away from headlines and online speculation. The show presents her not only as a public figure, but also as a mother navigating family responsibilities and life in the public eye.