Gqeberha: The Empire - The Real Story Behind Its Cancellation

Holifil

30 Mar, 2025

It turns out that the cancellation of Gqeberha: The Empire wasn't just about low ratings as many had assumed.
According to insiders, the beloved isiXhosa series was axed because of financial mismanagement.
Fans reacted in a variety of ways when they learned their favorite telenovela wouldn't return for a third season.

‘Gqeberha: The Empire’ was reportedly canceled because of mismanagement of funds. Image: GTE_Mzansi161. Source: Twitter

If you're wondering why Gqeberha: The Empire was canceled, it's not just because the ratings weren't where they needed to be. There's a deeper story here, and it’s one that’s left fans scratching their heads.

What Really Happened with Gqeberha: The Empire?

Not long after the news broke that the once-beloved isiXhosa telenovela, Gqeberha: The Empire, wouldn't be returning after its second season, the truth about its cancellation has come to light. According to reports from ZiMoja, MultiChoice executives uncovered some alarming issues. It seems the producers of the show were allegedly misusing large sums of money for personal gain instead of reinvesting it into the production itself. That’s a serious accusation, and it paints a much bigger picture than just low ratings.

When you combine the financial mismanagement with the fact that the show's ratings were already struggling, it became pretty clear that continuing the series wasn't a viable option. No one was willing to take responsibility for the missing funds, and the decision was made to end the show. As one source explained, "With the show not doing so well, and the money embezzled, they didn't see a need to continue."

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How Did Fans React?

The cancellation of Gqeberha: The Empire sparked a mix of emotions among its audience. Some fans were surprised, especially those who felt the show had improved in its final episodes. OfentseTheOne chimed in, saying, "The episodes are giving lately since it's ending soon." Meanwhile, QhaweLB offered a more balanced perspective: "The cast is good, even the writers have been better, but I think people’s expectations were not met."

On the flip side, there were those who saw the cancellation coming from a mile away. guytee17 wasn't shy about sharing their thoughts: "This is long overdue! They ruined the storyline from season one." shaunleroux1 agreed, admitting, "To be fair, even the first season was horrible." Others, like tklradebe, expressed frustration with the production company behind the show: "Tshedza has a lot of shows being cancelled. They really need to go back to the drawing board." And BabalwaLuwalala summed it up perfectly: "So they came to their senses? It was not supposed to be renewed in the first place."

Bonang Matheba Shines Amidst Showbiz News

While Gqeberha: The Empire met its end, another South African entertainment story is making waves. Bonang Matheba’s reality show, B’Dazzled, recently scored nominations at the National Film and Television Awards. Fans are thrilled to see Queen B receiving recognition for her hard work. However, not everyone is on board with every nomination, with some viewers questioning whether one of the nods feels a bit out of place. Still, it's a win for South African talent, and Bonang continues to shine brightly in the industry.