Veteran Actress Lydia Mokgokoloshi Speaks Out About Leaving 'Skeem Saam'

• Lydia Mokgokoloshi, the beloved actress who portrayed Koko Mantsha in 'Skeem Saam,' opens up about her exit from the show
• The iconic actress, who celebrated her 85th birthday recently, shares that the show no longer required her services
• Fans of the veteran actress and the popular educational soap opera took to social media to react to her candid interview

The multi-talented Safta-winning actress Lydia Mokgokoloshi, known for her iconic role in 'Giyani: Land of Blood,' recently shared her side of the story about leaving the hit SABC1 soapie, 'Skeem Saam.' In a heartfelt interview, she opened up about the reasons behind her departure, which has sparked a wave of reactions from fans across the country.

For nearly a decade, Lydia Mokgokoloshi charmed audiences with her portrayal of Koko Mantsha on 'Skeem Saam.' Fans may recall that the actress was mistakenly reported as deceased in 2021, but she's alive and well, continuing to inspire with her remarkable career. Her role in the long-running series 'Bophelo ke Semphekgo' also cemented her status as a powerhouse in South African television.

In an interview with Thobela FM, available on YouTube, the legendary actress revealed that her time on 'Skeem Saam' had come to an end because the show's producers decided they no longer needed her. Despite this, she expressed hope that she might return if her on-screen grandson, Katlego Peterson (played by Patrick Seleka), were to reappear in the storyline.

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TikToker @MrSingo1 recently shared a video clip of the interview, giving fans a chance to hear directly from the actress herself about her character and her experiences on the show.

South Africans React to Lydia's Honest Interview

As news of Lydia Mokgokoloshi's departure spread, social media lit up with comments from fans expressing their admiration and concern. One user, kjnjsunetmarfalouw, reminisced about her earlier role, saying, "I loved her character more on 'Bophelo ke Semphego.'"

"I loved her character more on 'Bophelo ke Semphego.'" – kjnjsunetmarfalouw

Another viewer, prudence, humorously chimed in, "Koko Mancha o tle le Jojo okae yena" (where's your grandson, Jojo), highlighting the character's iconic relationship with her on-screen family.

"Koko Mancha o tle le Jojo okae yena" – prudence

Centy praised the actress, writing, "I love Koko Mancha. She's a good actor," while @johnlekoloane4221 paid tribute to her resilience, noting, "She can still remember everyone at the age of 80. It's a behavior of a genius person. May God continue to protect you and add more years of living."

"She can still remember everyone at the age of 80. It's a behavior of a genius person. May God continue to protect you and add more years of living." – @johnlekoloane4221

Some fans expressed empathy for the actress, with Aus_MongiMoeket265 commenting, "Aowiii koko Mancha o gotse lena ga dule gae ka nnete hle" (she's old and must stay home now). Meanwhile, ..Kea.. echoed the sentiment of disappointment, saying, "Koko bathong, 'Skeem Saam' aba sa mmatla, hle bathong?" ('Skeem Saam' doesn't want Koko anymore, that's sad).

Lydia's Legacy in the Industry

974 MEL GP shared a personal connection, recalling, "Mam Mokgokoloshi, my primary teacher at Lethabo Primary School," while Mrs M.D offered a thoughtful perspective, "I think they could see she has aged, acting can be demanding and exhausting." The_Great humorously remarked, "O bolela ka Katlego o kare it’s a real person" (She's talking about Katlego like he's a real person), capturing the actress's deep connection to her character.

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Kalashnikovak470 summed up the sentiment shared by many, saying, "Aowa lena Skeem Sama aba sa nyaka koko Mancha" (That's sad, Skeem Saam doesn't want her anymore). Asanda Gcaba added, "She really took Katlego as her grandson for real," highlighting Lydia's dedication to her craft.

'Skeem Saam' Fans Criticize the Writers Over Recent Storylines

While Lydia Mokgokoloshi's exit has sparked conversation, another storyline has fans of 'Skeem Saam' up in arms. This week, the popular character Lehasa Maphosa (played by Thabo Rametsi) caused outrage by cheating on his lover, Pretty (Lerato Marabe). Fans took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction with the show's writers, accusing them of taking the series in an unexpected and unwelcome direction.

The betrayal of Pretty's character has left many viewers feeling disillusioned, with many questioning the motives behind such a dramatic shift in the storyline. As the soapie continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the writers will address the concerns of their loyal audience and whether they will bring back beloved characters like Koko Mantsha to the screen.