Renowned actor Ronnie Nyakale, best known for his role as Cosmo Diale, has bid farewell to ‘Generations: The Legacy’ after years of captivating audiences on the popular SABC1 soap opera. His departure marks the end of a decade-long journey that began when he first brought the beloved character to life, leaving fans and industry insiders alike curious about the reasons behind his exit.
Cosmo Diale
According to reports from The South African, Ronnie Nyakale officially left the show on Wednesday, August 28. His departure has been linked to his desire to explore new opportunities in the acting industry, as confirmed by sources close to the production. One insider revealed that Nyakale had grown dissatisfied with the direction of his character and felt that Cosmo Diale’s storyline was stagnating.“Ronnie wants to explore more of his talent as an actor with other production houses,” a source told TshisaLIVE. Another insider added that the character’s development was not aligning with Nyakale’s vision, which ultimately prompted him to seek a new path. “The storyline wasn’t aligning with the vision he had for Cosmo. It often frustrated him and pushed him to look for roles that would allow him to expand creatively,” the source explained.
SABC publicist Carol Phalakatshela also acknowledged Nyakale’s departure, along with that of fellow actor Muzi Mthabela, who played Nkosiyabo Cele. In a statement, Phalakatshela expressed gratitude for their contributions to the show: “We would like to take this opportunity to wish Muzi Mthabela and Ronnie Nyakale well in their upcoming projects. These stalwarts of the show will be on an indefinite hiatus as they pursue other avenues for creative expression.”
Phalakatshela continued, “We are confident that they will achieve great success, as their talent and dedication have always been evident in their performances. Muzi can be seen on Generations: The Legacy until June 5, exiting in a spicy storyline, while Ronnie’s final appearance was on August 28.”
Despite multiple attempts to reach him, Nyakale was unavailable for comment. However, his exit follows that of several other notable actors from the show, including Muzi Mthabela and Kope Makgae. Mthabela recently joined the cast of *My Brother’s Keeper*, while Makgae left in March to star in e.tv’s new telenovela, *Isiphetho: Destiny*.
This wave of departures has been a significant shift for *Generations: The Legacy*. TVSA reported in 2023 that other actors, such as Buntu Petse (Nontle), Karabo Maseko (Dr. Luyolo), Rebaone Kgosimore (Paul Moroka Jnr), and Zizipho Buti (Tracy), also left the show. In addition, Sunday World confirmed the exit of Musa Ngema, who played Mazwi Moroka.
Nyakale, who gained fame for his roles in iconic productions like *Yizo Yizo*, has left a lasting legacy on *Generations: The Legacy*. His portrayal of Cosmo Diale was beloved for its authenticity and relatability, making him one of the standout characters in the series. Although his departure marks the end of an era, it also signals a new chapter in his career as he seeks roles that challenge and inspire him. As fans bid farewell to Cosmo Diale, they eagerly anticipate seeing what Ronnie Nyakale will bring to the screen next.