South African actress Samkelo Ndlovu has deactivated her Instagram account after receiving intense backlash from fans of the hit Showmax series Adulting, following the shocking season finale.
The controversy erupted after the final episode aired, revealing the unexpected death of the beloved character Tsiki Tsiki, portrayed by Nhlanhla Kunene.
In a dramatic turn of events, Tsiki Tsiki was fatally stabbed by his girlfriend—played by Samkelo Ndlovu—leaving fans devastated.
While the scene was purely fictional, viewers’ emotional responses quickly blurred the lines between fiction and reality.
Tsiki Tsiki, known for his charismatic “gangster charm,” had developed a cult-like following, particularly among female fans. His sudden death triggered a wave of grief, anger, and online vitriol.
Samkelo soon became the target of online abuse, with fans expressing their rage directly toward her on social media and even in public spaces.
What began as passionate fan engagement spiraled into direct threats, harsh comments, and real-life confrontations, ultimately prompting the actress to step back from social media.
Before deactivating her Instagram account, Samkelo posted an emotional message:
“I’ll be deactivating my social media for some time. I’m just a girl,” she wrote.
“To my true fans, I love you so much, and I will see you soon on screen. I appreciate you so much for sticking with me all these years and loving my work.”
She also addressed the cruelty she faced:
“To the rest of you—I hope you feel better after being disrespectful and ugly to me online. I hope your direct threats made the blow of a fictional character’s death on TV feel much better.”
In a sobering revelation, Samkelo confirmed that some abuse went beyond digital harassment:
“To those who said disrespectful, ugly things to me in public—I hope you slept better that night.”
When Daily Sun reached out for comment, Samkelo declined, stating:
“No, thank you. I will address it if I feel like I should when the time is right.”
This incident highlights the need for boundaries between actors and the characters they portray, reminding fans that while stories may move us, the people who bring them to life deserve empathy and respect off-screen.
