Condolences have been pouring in for Nay Maps, who recently lost his grandmother and grandfather just weeks apart. The former Uzalo and The Queen actor shared the news on his Instagram last week, including pictures that remembered his beloved grandparents.

“I don’t know what’s happening…but Grandma, It’s only been a week since GrandDad left”, he shared in a post shared on Instagram. “Now I see you decided to join him… You left same time and same day as He did last week.”

The actor’s grandfather passed away last week Wednesday, leaving him devastated.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by N A Y M A P S (@naymaps)

We are wishing Nay Maps well during this time.

South African actresses Nomzamo Mbatha and Thuso Mbedu both appear on Essence Magazine’s ‘Black Hollywood Stars to watch’ list.

The two, who have managed to score prominent acting roles in big Hollywood productions, appear on the US magazine’s list of creatives of colour who are doing big things in America.

Nomzamo Mbatha’s rise to on the Hollywood radar is all thanks to her appearance on the upcoming Coming 2 America movie, which will now premiere on Amazon Prime. Eddie Murphy is returning as the spoilt African Prince of the fictional African nation of Zamunda. Mbatha will be starring alongside a slew of Hollywood A-listers, including Wesley Snipes, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones and Kiki Layne.

RELATED: FIRST PHOTOS OF ‘COMING 2 AMERICA

And things have not been the same since Thuso Mbedu scored an EMMY nomination for her portrayal of Winnie on ‘Is’thunzi’ back in 2017. She went on to score a leading role on Barry Jenkins’ adaptation of The Underground Railroad. The actress will be taking on the role of Cora – the main character in the critically lauded novel.

Since then, she’s appeared on various lists as one to watch in Hollywood, including the VOGUE’s list of ‘Exciting New Actors’ that came out last year. The series will also be landing on Amazon Prime this year.

Browse The Latest TV Show Scoops, Recaps & Reviews

To prove, yet again, that 2020 was one of the worst years to date, The Queen ended the year by allegedly severing ties with drawcard thespian Themba Ndaba amid sexual harassment allegations.

The tea was shared by well-informed entertainment commentator, Phil Mpela, without getting into the nitty-gritty of it all. We had opted to provide Ferguson Films and Mzansi Magic enough time to respond to the claim, to no avail.

It is alleged that the actor made inappropriate advances to colleagues on the show.

WORD IS: The Queen to drop actor

The murmur is that Mzansi Magic telenovela will be writing (or has written) an actor out of the show following some in appropriate advances on his colleagues.

This is a welcomed & encouraging step taken by Ferguson Films.

Change the culture! pic.twitter.com/GaDSZTqIa6

— Kgopolo Mphela (@PhilMphela) December 23, 2020

News of the Ferguson’s firm stance on workplace conduct and sexual harassment was a welcomed sight by fans of the show after it was lambasted for hiring actors with a history of gender based violence.

Long-time actor Kenneth Nkosi, who reprised the role of Jaros and Peter Mashigo who played Thato’s father; Jackal were both drafted to the star-studded roster on the show even after they were known women abuse offenders.

RELATED TV NEWS: THE QUEEN TO MOVE FROM MZANSI MAGIC TO SABC 2

The production reportedly went through a sexual harassment workshop back in 2020. In a move to further streamline proper workplace conduct, the show will be writing out the storyline of fan-favourite, Brutus in the coming episodes.

It remains to be seen if the telenovela will survive without the tag team quips between Shaka and his uncle. The ratings took a hit the last time the duo was separated.

Furthermore, the soapie had already been straddling a thin line of becoming yet another casualty of 2020, with ratings dwindling with each episode. Regardless, the move to protect the workplace environment of the show over profit should be commended.

After all, it isn’t the first time that the Fergusons had fired one of their marquee actors. They will surely bounce back!

Discover New Music, Exclusive Interviews and Album Reviews on QuenchSA.com!