Fans of the popular eTV telenovela **Smoke and Mirrors** are mourning the loss of a beloved character, **Nomeva**, portrayed by award-winning actress **Charmain Mtinta**. Her departure has stirred deep emotions across Mzansi, with many viewers expressing shock, sadness, and even confusion after the show shared dramatic images from the character’s on-screen funeral.
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The emotional farewell was highlighted on the show’s official X (Twitter) page, where photos from the funeral scene were posted along with the caption: *“The funeral of Nomeva is truly heartbreaking. You can clearly see the pain it has caused!”* The images quickly gained traction, leaving fans reeling as they tried to make sense of whether the tragedy was real or purely fictional.
Nomeva’s exit follows months of speculation surrounding Mtinta’s relationship with the production. In **December 2024**, entertainment commentator **Phil Mphela** reported that Mtinta had been fired from the series. However, the actress swiftly dismissed the claims, labelling them defamatory. She clarified that she had been in discussions with the show’s producers regarding creative differences but had not been dismissed in the manner suggested.
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“These claims are untrue and risk tarnishing my reputation and career,” she stated at the time. “To my colleagues, supporters and the broader entertainment industry, I remain committed to my craft and look forward to continuing to bring meaningful and impactful performances to audiences.”
Despite this clarification, fans were left stunned when the character was dramatically killed off, prompting emotional reactions across social media. Many viewers admitted they initially believed the actress herself had passed away, 
after the show’s realistic portrayal of the funeral.
Mzansi quickly flooded online platforms with mixed reactions. Some viewers criticised the show for what they felt was an insensitive approach to portraying the death of a fictional character. Others argued that the storytelling was simply powerful enough to evoke real emotion.
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One user commented:
**“At some point, things affect you and your well-being. We will remember you, Sis Nomsa. Sis Nomeva.”**
Another reacted in frustration:
**“We should cut the RIP for characters on screen. Now I’m confused about this Nomeva stuff.”**
A third viewer expressed shock:
**“Kante it’s a fictional character and not a real actress?”**
Cultural concerns were also highlighted, with some users pointing out that staging a funeral for a living person—even in fiction—can be considered inappropriate in certain African traditions. One user wrote:
**“eTV, this is not right… Fictional character as it may be, in African culture it’s wrong.”**
While debate continues online, one thing is clear: **Charmain Mtinta’s portrayal of Nomeva left a lasting impact**. Fans praised her for bringing depth, emotion and authenticity to every scene, noting that she “owned every character she portrayed.”
As viewers prepare to bid their final farewell to Nomeva on-screen, the reaction underscores the power of storytelling—and how deeply audiences can connect with characters who feel real.
With the show moving forward, fans remain hopeful that Mtinta will continue to illuminate South Africa’s entertainment industry with her unmatched talent.
