Isibaya adds more excitement

Entertainment
Following a clean Royalty Soapie Awards sweep last month with a massive 10 wins, Isibaya has unveiled a slate of new characters.

JOHANNESBURG — Following a clean Royalty Soapie Awards sweep last month with a massive 10 wins, Isibaya has unveiled a slate of new characters.

Indicative of Isibaya’s tremendous growth, hardly a year after it premiered and quality programming that appeals to some of the country’s hard to please A-list actors.

The addition of the new characters couldn’t have come at a better time, as the show transitioned early this week from a telenovella into a full-blown soapie.

Set to add more excitement as the new season which started a week ago begins to gather momentum, the faces, led by none other than the legendary Vusi Kunene famed for numerous outstanding roles ranging from Yizo Yizo to Generations both on SABC 1, are on a class of their own.

Adding to an already stellar cast, helmed by Royalty Soapie outstanding lead actor winner, Siyabonga Twala, who plays wealthy taxi boss Mpiyakhe Zungu and lead actress winner, Thembi Nyandeni (Mkabayi Zungu), Kunene takes on the role of 45-year-old Bhekifa Ntshangase Ngubane, a self-made scrap metal mogul.

Zweli Ntshangase Ngubane is Bhekifa’s son, from his wife – the love of his life who died during the violent clashes in Thokoza between the self defence units and hostel dwellers.

The role of the handsome and charming 25-year-old Zweli is played by Andile Gumbi, best known as Simba in the Lion King’s 15th anniversary run on Broadway.

Also joining Isibaya is Jeffrey Sekele from Isidingo, 90 Plein Street and The Lab, as the street-smart Blade, Bhekifa’s right hand man.

Mtunzini.com actress Zinhle Mabena takes on the role of the beautiful 22-year-old Sihle, who had to cut short her university studies after the mysterious death of her father to take care of her sick mother.

Newcomer Sibusisiwe Jili gets her chance to shine as 28-year-old Zanele, the manageress of Club Sheba. Charming and beautiful, Zanele is also Bhekifa’s mistress, with a whopping 20-year age difference between them.

A classic traditional soap opera with a great mixture of romance, suspense and drama, Isibaya is broadcast five days a week at 8:30pm on Mzansi Magic (DStv 107).

— New Age