News about who's in and who's out at Uzalo always ramps up at this time of year in anticipation of the new season, which premieres in early March next year.
Two characters who are definitely out of Season 9 are Pastor Sambulo Gwala and Nosipho Xulu, portrayed by Menzi Biyela and Nompilo Maphumulo, who's been with the show since Season 1.
Nompilo at the launch of Uzalo in 2015
Producers Stained Glass Pictures and SABC1 have announced the news, without giving a reason for their exit.
Nosipho's found her Prince Charming in Sambulo after years of kissing frogs and criminals and now they're having a baby. They're going to marry in the new year with a storyline involving Nosipho's lobola so it seems they're being written out because their characters' journeys have come to an end.
Would you like to see more of them or do you think it's time?
Here's an overview of their lives from the production to tug at your memory strings...
We've seen Nosipho fight with Nkunzi over her father's estate, making Nkunzi her enemy, resulting in her almost being buried alive.
She has fallen in love over the years with a ruthless criminal called Amos, a quick stint with Mondli, abusive Njeza, and finally finding Pastor Gwala. She is business minded and became the Mashonisa of KwaMashu and opened a business hub that created opportunities.
Pastor Gwala came to Uzalo when the community had lost the church to Nkunzi and he helped them wrestle it back from him. Pastor Gwala discovered that Nkunzi is his biological father and has also been through his umjolo tales over the years.
We've seen him fall in love with Zekhethelo, a forbidden relationship, and now he's fallen in love with Nosipho, much to everyone's disapproval and distaste, but they've stuck together.
----
As for what's happening with Nomaswazi Magwaza amidst the beef between Uzalo and actress Omuhle Gela... as we split in the
TVSA News Shorts, Nomaswazi will definitely be in Season 9. Word from Uzalo publicist Nomfundo Zondi is that the character is integral to the show and will continue.
Whether or not Omuhle will play her remains to be seen. Either they've resolved things between them or they're re-casting role. Watch this space.