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Jack is back – and Generations: The Legacy is reaping the viewership benefits.
Veteran actor Vusi Kunene’s return to the SABC soapie as Jack Mabaso is one of the reasons Generations: The Legacy has reclaimed its number one spot a year after it was unseated.
In June last year, Uzalo knocked the show into second position, but the wheels have turned. According to the Broadcast Research Council of SA’s television ratings, Generations: The Legacy pushed its number of viewers over the 8 million mark, leaving its challenger, Uzalo, with just less than 8 million.
The soap’s creator, Mfundi Vundla, told City Press that last month they had great storylines, and had also welcomed Kunene back into the fold.
Kunene’s response to his villainous character’s resurrection was characteristically humble:
“I am honoured to be back on Generations. It is great to be back home. Most importantly, it feels great to be part of the first soapie that is owned by a black person.”
Kunene rejoined the show last month. Before then, he played the role of Bhekifa Ngubane on Mzansi Magic’s telenovela, Isibaya.
Asked how he felt about his return being the reason viewership of the show rose, he said: “I owe my success to my fans. I am who I am today because of them. They are not just fans to me, they are my pillars of strength.”
The question on all his fans’ lips is, how long will he stay?
“I am here. I have always known that it was unfinished business.”
However, he advised viewers to stay tuned because there were going to be lots of surprises from his rogue character.
“There is never a dull moment with Jack Mabaso; he is here to entertain his fans.”
Meanwhile, Vundla said that it was way too early to celebrate the soap’s number one position.
“It is a neck-and-neck situation. Sometimes we win, sometimes they win.”
He added: “Even though we remained at number two, we were not down and out ... It shows that we are doing the right thing.”
For soapie lovers, a rivalry for the top spot is good news as it means the creators have to keep working harder to keep viewers entertained.
