MNet’s local channel, Mzansi Magic’s mission
to tell captivating, authentic local stories has received yet another boost
with the success of the channel’s second telenovela, Isibaya.
The battle for wealth and power between the
Zungus and the Ndlovus, two rival families living in Thukela Valley, marked its
100th episode on September 5, 2013.
In the landmark episode, titled What the
eye sees, the mind must believe, Detective Mimi (Matshepo Maleme) attempts
to unravel the truth about what happened to Mpiyakhe Zungu (Siyabonga Twala) as
Thandeka Zungu (Nomzamo Mbatha) struggles to deal with what happened in the
valley. Mimi follows Sunday to his hut where she sees something unspeakable.
With storylines that deal with subjects like
bewitchment and the use of deeply authentic language to drive the story
forward, Isibaya has been embraced
with real enthusiasm by audiences since launching in April 2013. The
telenovela’s characters have also struck a chord with viewers who follow the
feuding Ndlovu and Zungu with an intensity that has turned Isibaya into one of Mzansi Magic’s most popular homegrown shows.
“The
response to Isibaya’s narrative of
rivalry, power and money in both rural and urban settings has been amazing,”
says Yolisa Phahle, Channel Director of M-Net’s local interest channels. “With
each episode, social networks are buzzing with speculation about what’s going
to happen next. Our industry continues to go from strength to strength and the
audience response is a testament to this.”
With more than 100 episodes still to go, and
plenty of storylines still to develop, Isibaya
is likely to continue to pick up audiences as the dramatic and emotional story
of the rural-urban interface in modern day South Africa gathers pace.
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