Ntombikayise

Veteran TV producer Pumla Hopa dies aged 59 South African television is mourning veteran producer Pumla Hopa, who died on 28 October 2026 at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy of work that helped shape some of the country’s most recognisable television productions. Hopa was best known for her contribution to the long-running SABC3 soap opera Isidingo, where she began her journey as an assistant director on the show’s first episode in 1998 before rising to become its executive producer. She held the position by 2008, helping steer the programme through storylines that tackled racism, xenophobia, HIV/Aids and other social issues affecting South African society. Beyond Isidingo, Hopa worked in television production for decades and was credited on projects including My Brother's Keeper, Bogaditsong: Sister Wives, and Stokvel. She was also recognised as a mentor who contributed to the development of talent in the local television industry. Her work earned tributes from colleagues who described her as a formidable talent whose influence would continue to inspire future generations of television practitioners. Her family announced her death was announced by her family on 28 October. However, the cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed. buzzlifenews.com