Actor Hungani Ndlovu on ‘Skeem Saam’ milestone
Hungani Ndlovu has taken a moment to reflect on a major career highlight after Skeem Saam pulled in a record-breaking 4.5 million viewers in the first week of February.
The actor, who plays Thabo “Tbose” Maputla on the long-running SABC1 soapie, shared an emotional message on Instagram on 10 February 2026, thanking both the audience and the extensive team behind the scenes for helping bring the story to life.
For Hungani, the milestone was not just about numbers, but about the collective effort that makes the show a nightly staple in millions of homes.
“Over 4.5 million people this past week. I, for one, don’t take that lightly. Thank you to the audience for welcoming these stories into your homes,” he wrote.
“What a privilege it is to be an actor in South Africa. And what a wonderful privilege it will be to be an actor in a regulated industry in South Africa.”
While fans often see the polished final product on screen, Hungani made sure to spotlight what he called the “unsung heroes” who keep the production running smoothly.
He extended his appreciation beyond the cast and production leads to include drivers, catering staff, the cleaning crew, the makeup department and “every department that builds the world before we ever step into frame.”
The surge in viewership comes amid gripping storylines and dramatic twists that have kept audiences glued to their screens at 19:30 every evening.
Hungani also posted behind-the-scenes images from set, including scenes filmed at the Atlantis Dunes in Cape Town, giving followers a glimpse into the scale and dedication involved in creating the show.
Colleagues and fans quickly flooded his comment section with congratulatory messages, praising his portrayal of Tbose and applauding the show’s continued success.