Last year South African pay-TV broadcaster M-Net’s local content channel Mzansi Magic launched its first ever telenovela, iNkaba, and now it launches a second telenovela, Isibaya, set against the backdrop of the taxi industry. Isibaya broadcasts from 18 March at 20h30, Mondays to Thursdays.
Produced by The Bomb Shelter (Zone 14, Jacob’s Cross), Isibaya, which consists of 208 episodes, depicts the battle for wealth and power between the Zungus and the Ndlovus, two rival taxi families living in Thukela Valley.
“We are very excited about creating a new show for the Mzansi Magic viewers,’ says Desiree Markgraaff, MD at The Bomb Shelter. “In Isibaya we have a hero whose dream inspires everyone, but unleashes jealousy and scheming behind closed doors. We have malicious villains, many beautiful people, the rolling hills of Thukela, and right in the middle of all this is the story of two young lovers destined for each other. Our hope is to bring viewers a programme they will enjoy, a world full of drama, colourful characters, vicious battles over taxi routes and tenders for new highways, and the lure of big money to be made.’
In the past the two rival families battled over cattle, but the taxi business has become the new commodity. This world is reflected in the title Isibaya, which means The Kraal (where a herd of cattle and goats are kept) but is also colloquially a reference to a fleet of taxi’s and new wealth.
The narrative not only tackles the feud between the two families but at its heart it is an epic love story between Thandeka and S’bu, the younger generation of their feuding families. It is a story of love, of betrayal and of big dreams.
“Our mission at Mzansi Magic is to tell captivating, authentic local stories. The telenovela format is an excellent vehicle for such narratives, as illustrated by the well-loved iNkaba, which set the scene for more stories that reflect worlds known to our viewers. We trust that Isibaya will be a big hit amongst our audiences and that each new telenovela will raise the bar in terms of local storytelling,’ says Yolisa Phahle, channel director of M-Net’s local interest channels.
The Isibaya cast is an eclectic mix of both celebrated, seasoned actors in television and theatre and fresh new faces. Siyabonga Twala heads up the Zungu household as Mpiyakhe, with his leading lady and third wife, Iris Zungu, played by Mampho Brescia. Also lined up are actors hailing from KwaZulu-Natal: Class Act winner, Sidumo Mtshali (S’bu Ndlovu), Nomzamo Mbatha (Thandeka Zungu), Palance Dladla (Jabu Zungu), Zakhele Mapondo (Skhaleni) and Mdu Gumede (Ntandane). Bheki Mkhwane plays the role of Samson, the head of the Ndlovus, who is aligned with his hot-headed brother, Mandla, played by Bongani Gumede.
