‘A formidable talent’: SA TV industry mourns ‘Isidingo’ executive producer Pumla Hopa

South African television is mourning the loss of veteran producer Pumla Hopa, whose name has graced the end credits of Isidingo for years. Hopa, who was 59 years old, spent decades behind the scenes on numerous beloved shows. She was described by her family as a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, creative force, mentor, and friend, whose kindness, warmth, and love touched many lives. No cause of death has been announced, and funeral arrangements are pending.

The South African television industry was quick to mourn the loss of a "formidable talent." Endemol Shine managing director Helga Palmer expressed her deep sadness and paid tribute to Hopa's legacy, hoping that it would inspire a new generation of industry practitioners. Actress Masasa Mbangeni, who knew Hopa through her work on Isidingo, thanked her for delivering incredible television and drew over 19,000 views for her heartfelt message.

Hopa's connection to Isidingo began when she started as an assistant director on the show's first episode in 1998, eventually working her way up to executive producer by 2008. She was instrumental in pushing boundaries for the soapie from its very first episode, tackling controversial issues such as racism, xenophobia, HIV/AIDS, and mixed marriages.

Hopa was also present during the show's hardest moments, such as the death of actress Ashley Callie in 2008, where she helped decide to write the character out rather than recast, leaving a lasting impact on the show's legacy.

Hopa was also a mentor to the cast and crew, which contributed to the show's reputation as a training ground for the industry. After leaving Isidingo in 2019, she continued to contribute to the sector, facilitating workshops at the Buffalo City Metro's first film festival and working on shows like My Brother's Keeper, Bogaditsong: Sister Wives, and Stokvel Season.