Former “Isono” actress and ‘Our Perfect Wedding“ presenter, Kayise Ngqula. Picture: Supplied
SOUTH African actress and presenter, Kayise Ngqula has returned after a long hiatus to YouTube with her popular talk show, “After Dark with Kayise”.
Season one launched in 2020 soon after Ngqula lost her husband, Farai Sibanda, and honed in on the experiences of people who have dealt with loss and are healing. It quickly became a success, drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers from around the world.
A revised approach is introduced in season two, offering a fresh perspective on some of life's most important questions. It will have a mix of celebrities and regular people talking about real issues.
Ngqula said: “‘After Dark with Kayise’ is not just an online show, it’s a movement towards embracing our shared humanity and inspiring personal growth through authentic dialogue.
“I invite everyone to tune in and be part of this empowering journey.”
On the first episode, which aired on Monday, August 19, Ngqula shared that the timing for season two couldn’t have been more perfect.
“I’m now at a time where I am really ready to share myself once again with the world, but in a much more powerful way, yet vulnerable but understanding of my purpose, understanding of the journey that I’ve been on.
“I am quite certain of what I want to achieve going forward for myself and this very personal project that I released four years ago.”
Ngqula said when she launched “After Dark with Kayise” she thought the aim was to “just share her story”.
“I had not spoken about what I went through after a life-changing event that almost took my life, but took my husband’s life. When I released the show on International Windows Day, it took a turn that I didn’t expect ...
“It positioned me as the poster girl of grief. At first it felt okay because that’s what I was going through, but at some point, as I was starting to heal and journey, it felt like there was nothing else that people could remember about me ...
“I found it difficult to get out of that box ... So I took a decision to leave it all behind,” she explained.
She stepped away from the spotlight and went back home to the Eastern Cape to connect with her roots.
“Going back home took a lot of courage. I don’t think that I could experience loss more than that because it meant that I had to leave everything that meant everything to me.
“My purpose has always been linked to my job ... When I couldn’t continue with it, for various reasons, it felt like I had failed. It felt like I couldn’t be anything more than that girl who lost her husband.”
Returning home was extremely personal and she said she hadn’t told anyone. With tears in her eyes, the former “Our Perfect Wedding” presenter said that she didn’t know who she was anymore.
“I was desperately seeking answers about why things happened the way they did and it just came to me like a voice from God, and He said, ‘surrender, stop trying to be somebody to everyone’.
“I remember that day vividly. I moved out of my apartment with no plan, but it didn’t feel like I didn’t have a plan, it just felt like I’d be going to a place where I’d be safe, cos I just didn’t feel safe anymore, I just wanted to feel that again, so I packed and just left.”
She added that it was the greatest adventure and chance that she has ever taken on herself: “To go and master my mind, my heart, my spirit and not have to show up for anyone except myself. I had to make hard decisions of even letting go of my child sometimes, so that I could really serve myself in the best way I could, so I could be better.”
She explained that in season one she was seeking answers and light because she was in a dark place. The new season will focus on going back to who she is and was always meant to be.
“This rebirth is an opportunity for me to do the things that I love, which is telling stories, being in front of the camera and engaging, finding connections with people about the things that make life what it is.
“This rebirth is an opportunity for me to live unapologetically and to showcase that within this season.
“We’ve expanded the direction of season two to emulate who I am ... I’ve always loved beauty, fashion; womanhood is important to me, personal development has always been important to me and I think just holistic wellness.”
Watch the full episode below.