‘Uzalo’ Star Nothando Ngcobo Reveals Why She Took a Break From The Show as Hlelo

• Radio personality and actress Nothando Ngcobo, who plays Hlelo in Uzalo, says she's back on the soapie
• Ngcobo, who previously co-hosted a show on Gagasi FM, set the record straight about her presenting gig
• Fans of the popular actress took to her comment section this week to congratulate her and welcome her back to the soapie

Popular actress Nothando Ngcobo, who portrays the character of Hlelo on SABC1's soapie, Uzalo, has confirmed her return to the show.

Ngcobo, who previously made headlines when she hosted a show on Gagasi FM, has also shared why she took a break from the soapie.

The popular star shares in an interview with Daily Sun that she took a break from the show to focus on herself. Ngcobo adds that taking a break helps her differentiate herself from the roles that she portrays.

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The fan-favourite star also shares that she took a break to spend time with her loved ones and to focus on her foundation.

Her character Hlelo will reportedly reappear on the popular soapie from Friday, 22 August 2025.

The actress confirmed her return to the SABC1 soapie on her Instagram account on Tuesday, 19 August 2025.

"Front page @isolezwe ‘Hlelo’ is back on your screens! 💫🖥️ Stay tuned @sabc1_mzansifosho @uzalo_sabc1," she wrote.

Ngcobo's character hasn't appeared on the soapie since December 2024, when her character Hlelo was sent to prison for assaulting minors in the community.

SA reacts to Ngcobo's character

@TsepoThibankhoe said:

"Hlelo is moving like a pa*dophile."

@_magakwe_ reacted:

"Hlelo is a beauty with no brains. Why does she not take pics of the evidence? We all know that evidence will be remove."🙄

@Deee___ commented:

"Mina no Hlelo siyathandana, (I love her). He will find out soon what a groomer and a ped*phile i. Hlelo never loved him, she was using him for her disgusting sexual fantasies."

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@KimiRose_ wrote:

"But I like the fact that Hlelo was exposed."

@Cliff_Mampz reacted:

"So Hlelo is actually a pa*dophile. I never expected it." 😳😳

@KimiRose_ wrote:

"Hayi ngeke esi storyline saka Hlelo," (No ways Hlelo's storyline is too much).😳

@sibusiso_ngwale said:

"Sipho has the nerve. I wish Sbu would kick Hlelo out of his house forever."

@Daddy_T1one commented:

"Hlelo rapes kids and nothing happens to her, no mob justice, no one presses charges, nothing! I guess because she's a woman. Now imagine if the roles were reversed? This is the society we live in. Crucify a boy child and turn a blind eye when it's done by a woman!"

Uzalo remains SA’s most-watched soapie

In more entertainment news, Briefly News previously reported that Uzalo retained its title as South Africa's most-watched show in December 2023, with over 5.8 million views.

Social media reactions to the viewership statistics were mixed, with fans expressing surprise at the rankings.

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Despite fluctuations in viewership numbers, South African soapies continue to enjoy significant support.

Briefly News spoke to Uzalo's Communications Specialist, who said the show's success is mainly because the storyline resonates with fans.

Source: Briefly News