Cape Town – Gospel singer and pastor Thinah Zungu has insisted that he will not apologise again after an intimate scene from the e.tv telenovela Mother of All resurfaced on social media, triggering fresh criticism from some viewers.
Zungu played the character Malusi in the series, which aired in 2023. The scene at the centre of the controversy was filmed in 2021 but has recently been recirculated online, drawing renewed backlash.
Addressing the matter during a Facebook Live session, Zungu said he had already apologised when the episode first aired and did not intend to revisit the issue.
In a direct translation of his comments, he said: “It’s an old scene, I apologised, and it passed… I am tired of apologising.”
The singer acknowledged that some supporters may have been disappointed by the clip, particularly those who are only seeing it now.
Explaining why he accepted the role, Zungu said the production took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people were facing financial challenges and seeking opportunities to support their families.
He said he discussed the role with his wife before agreeing to take part.
“It was during Covid-19 where one was looking at all the opportunities that he can get to survive and all. I looked at the character, and it was allowing me to do whatever. I discussed it with my wife, and the money was making sense for us to live, which was part of the job, and the part was not a problem at the time, so we agreed, and it happened in a professional way,” he said.
Zungu also pointed out that the scenes were filmed before he entered the ministry.
He was ordained as a pastor at the Ark Fellowship Church in Inanda, north of Durban, in April 2023.
While the resurfacing of the clip has reignited debate among some fans about the expectations placed on public figures who later become religious leaders, Zungu maintains that he addressed the matter years ago and considers it closed.
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Picture: Facebook / Thinah Zungu
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
