With a cast of overachieving actors and actresses, Isibaya tells the story of how the power of good ultimately triumphs over evil. The South African drama series focuses on the lives and relationships between the members of the powerful Zungu and Ndlovu families who both run taxi businesses in Thukela Valley both are sworn, century-old enemies.
The families are forced to mend fences as a result of their children finding love, however, conflicts, greed, and their determination to build a fortune soon put them at loggerheads again which threatens to tear the couple apart. Things get messy when the girl’s father is killed in a mysterious car accident she believes was orchestrated by the family of the man she loves.
The show, which runs for 30 minutes and is broadcast daily on Mzansi Magic, was created by Angus Gibson, Desiree Markgraaff, Teboho Mahlatsi, and Catherine Stewart.
Actors That Make Up the Cast of Isibaya
Siyabonga Thwala
Siyabonga Thwala has been a main cast member of Isibaya since the show made its debut in 2013. The Umlamzi Township-native plays the role of Mpiyakhe Zungu, a businessman and savvy politician who is the leader of the Zungu family. His performance in the role has received rave reviews as he has been nominated for a couple of SAFTA Best Actors awards, with him winning once in 2014, the same year he took home the inaugural Outstanding Lead Actor award at the 2014 Royalty Soapie Awards.
Thembi Nyandeni
Thembi Nyandeni plays the role of Mkabayi Zungu, popularly referred to as MaNcwane. She is the tough-talking, no-nonsense matriarch of the Zungu family who can always be seen with her automatic rifle at the forefront whenever there is a battle. The septuagenarian actress is also known for her role as Selina Khumba in the drama series, Zone 14.
Mampho Brescia
Mampho Brescia is another one of the actors that have been a long-running cast member of Isibaya. Her time on the show has become quite synonymous with her that she is often referred to by her character’s name when in public. The Joburg native, who plays the role of the narcissistic Iris Zungu Rasebitse on the show, is also famous for starring in Jacob’s Cross.
Jessica Nkosi
Jessica Nkosi rose to prominence through her role as the sweet and lovable Qondisile. The University of KwaZulu-Natal graduate has been a part of the show since its first season but according to reports, the eighth season might be her last. It was announced by show producers that she was leaving, however, it was not clarified if her departure would be for good. This is not the first time the actress has left the show. She took a break in 2017 to focus on theatre and other projects before returning after two months.
Nomzamo Mbatha
Those familiar with the 2012 MTV Base VJ Search will remember Nomzamo Mbatha who was one of the three finalists in the competition. Having come to the limelight through that platform, the KwaMashu Township native has been able to launch careers as an actress, businesswoman, television personality, and human rights activist. In 2019, she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of UNHCR.
Mbatha played the role of Thandeka Zungu-Ndlovu on Isibaya for seven seasons before it was announced that she was leaving. Her character on the show was killed by Menzi Ngubane, who plays the role of Judas Ngwenya. It has since been speculated that the actress will be joining the cast of the upcoming Coming 2 America movie by Eddie Murphy.
Ayanda Borotho
Ayanda Borotho plays the main role of Phumelele “MaDlamini” Zungu, the second wife of Siyabonga Thwala’s character. The actress, who formerly held an executive post in the corporate world before deciding to pursue her dream of acting, has appeared in other projects like Generations, Nomzamo, Home Affairs, and Soul City. In addition to her acting, she is also the best selling author of the book titled Unbecoming to Become: My Journey Back to Self.
Celeste Ntuli
Celeste Ntuli, who has been nicknamed the queen of Zulu comedy thanks to her prowess as a comedian, plays the role of Siphokazi Zung, aka MaMthembu on the show. Her performance on Isibaya has put her in the record books as one of the actors of the soap opera to have received a SAFTA nomination. Other movies and TV shows that make up her filmography include 10 Days in Sun City, Lockdown, Looking For Love, and Trippin with Skhumba.
Pallance Dladla
Pallance Dladla is another member of the cast of Isibaya who has made a name for themselves through their appearances in multiple soap operas. The multiple award-winning Johannesburg-born actor who appears as Jabulani Zungu on the show has had roles in others like 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls, Intersexions, Rhythm City, Is’Thunzi, and Tempy Pushas.
Bheki Mhkwane
Renowned stage actor, mime, composer, playwright, and producer Bheki Mhkwane portrays the character of Samson Ndlovu, the head of the Ndlovu clan who works closely with his hot-headed brother, Mandlenkosi “Mandla” Ndlovu, a character played by Bongani Gumede. The Jaques le Coq school in Paris trained thespian has had a main role on Isibaya since its debut in 2013. It is his first television role.
Bongani Gumede
Bongani Gumede is a SAFTA award-nominated actor, stage performer, and dialogue coach. He plays the role of Mandlenkosi Ndlovu aka Mandla who is a brutal, jealous, and corrupt member of the Ndlovu clan. The Isibaya actor is also widely known for his roles as Oupa Dube in Mzansi, Ntuli in The Lab, and Richard in eKasi: Our Stories.
Gcina Mkhize
Actress Gcina Mkhize first gained the spotlight when she played Foxy on Gaz’lam in the early 2000s. Today, she has managed to win a SAFTA award for her performance in the role of the rural, headscarf-wearing KaMajola Ndlovu.
Sdumo Mtshali
Sdumo Mtshali rose to fame after winning the first season of the reality competition, Class Act, in 2010. The Durban native, who had always wanted to become an actor and had started appearing in plays by the time he turned 11, has since gone on to land different roles in a number of TV shows, including Intersexions, Wild at Heart, and Rhythm City. On Isibaya, he appears as Sbusiso Ndlovu, actress Nomzamo Mbatha’s on-screen lover.
Menzi Ngubane
Menzi Ngubane joined the cast of Isibaya in the fifth season in a recurring role before his character was promoted to a main one in the sixth season. He plays the role of Judas Ngwenya, a taxi firm manager with a dubious past who was responsible for the killing of actress Nomzamo Mbatha’s character.
Other projects where the actor has made a name for himself includes Yizo Yizo, Gold Diggers, Ashes to Ashes, and the long-running Generations where he played the role of Sibusiso Dlomo.
Other Actors and Actresses on Isibaya
- Muzi Mthabela
- Samson Khumalo
- Lerato Mvelase
- Vusi Kunene
- Zakhele Mabasa
- Asavela Mqhithi
- Abdul Khoza
- Thuli Thabethe
- Linda Sebezo
- Sayitsheni Mdakhi (Mdarkie)
- Mdu Gumede
- Nkanyiso Mzimela
- Samukele Mkhize
Read Also: South Africa’s Richest Celebs: Here’s Who Tops The List
Awards and Recognitions Received By Individual Actors or Whole Cast of Isibaya
2014
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actress – TV Soap – Celeste Ntuli (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – S’Dumo Mtshali (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Bongani Gumede (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Editing – TV Soap – Jeremy Briers and Sibongeleni Mabuyakhulu (Nominees)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Cinematography – TV Soap – Jonathan De La Querra and Zeno Petersen (Nominees)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Art/Design – TV Soap – Dylan Lloyd and Larissa Peters (Nominees)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Ensemble – TV Soap – Kutlwano Ditsele (Nominee)
- Audience Award Most Popular TV Soap (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Siyabonga Twala (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actress – TV Soap – Thembi Nyandeni (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Directing – TV Telenovela / Soap – Adze Ugah and Denny Y. Miller (Winners)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap/Telenovela (Winner)
2015
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best TV Soap (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Bongani Gumede (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor – TV Soap – Pallance Dladla (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap – Celeste Ntuli (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Sound Design – TV Soap – Mark Phillips and Vaughan Phillips (Nominees)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Original Score – TV Soap – Philip Miller (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Directing – TV Telenovela / Soap – Alex Yazbek (director) (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Costume Design – TV Soap – Dylan Lloyd (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Directing – TV Telenovela / Soap – Adze Ugah (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap/Telenovela – Adze Ugah (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Cinematography – TV Soap – Zeno Petersen (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Editing – TV Soap – Jeremy Briers and Sibongeleni Mabuyakhulu (Winners)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Art/Design – TV Soap – Dylan Lloyd (Winner)
2016
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best TV Soap (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Siyabonga Twala (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Make-up and Hairstyling – TV Soap – Sheila Petlele (Nominee)
- Audience Award Most Popular TV Soap (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Vusi Kunene (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor – TV Soap – Samson Khumalo (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Costume Design – TV Soap – Rochelle Selling (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Art/Design – TV Soap – Dylan Lloyd and Henrietta Moutinho (Winners)
2017
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Editing – TV Soap – Jack Esterhuizen and The Bomb Shelter (Nominees)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Siyabonga Twala (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best TV Soap (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor – TV Soap – Pallance Dladla (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap/Telenovela (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Art/Design – TV Soap – Dylan Lloyd and Henrietta Moutinho (Nominees)
- Audience Award Most Popular TV Soap (Winner)
2018
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Siyabonga Twala (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap/Telenovela (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Post Production Team on a TV Soap (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best TV Soap (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor – TV Soap – Pallance Dladla (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Directing – TV Telenovela / Soap (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Make-up and Hairstyling – TV Soap – Sheila Petlele (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Art/Design – TV Soap – Dylan Lloyd and Henrietta Moutinho (Winners)
2019
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best TV Soap (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – Pallance Dladla (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actor – TV Soap – S’Dumo Mtshali (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Actress – TV Soap – Nomzamo Mbatha (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap – Linda Sebezo (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Sound Design – TV Soap – Mark Phillips and Vaughan Phillips (Nominees)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor – TV Soap – Melusi Mbele (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap – Nokuthula Thabethe – (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap/Telenovela – Paul S. Rowlston, Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom, Jacob Ntshangase, James Whyle, Byron Abrahams, and Mbalizethu Zulu (Nominees)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap – Gcina Mkhize (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Achievement in Directing – TV Soap (Winner)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor – TV Soap – Abdul Khoza (Winner)
2020
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Telenovela (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actor – Telenovela – Aubrey Poo (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actress – Telenovela – Lerato Mvelase (Nominee)
- SAFTA Golden Horn Best Supporting Actress – Telenovela – Linda Sebezo (Nominee)