Meet the new characters on Isibaya:
Veteran actor Vusi Kunene (Yizo Yizo, Generations, The First Grader, The Lab, Jacobs Cross, A Reasonable Man) takes on the role of 45-year-old Bhekifa (Ntshangase) Ngubane, a powerful, self-made scrap metal mogul who also owns a share in a nightclub. Bhekifa’s charming, elegant, opera-loving surface masks a dangerous, cunning and disturbed man who takes pleasure in seeing the slow demise of those he believes have betrayed him.
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 SDU’s and hostel dwellers. The role of 25-year-old Zweli is played by Andile Gumbi, perhaps best known for playing Simba in the Lion King’s 15th anniversary run on Broadway. Handsome, charming, and armed with a Post-Grad Business Degree that he gained in London, Zweli is a lovable playa who grew up wanting for nothing but who suffered the childhood nightmare of his mother’s death.
Also joining Isibaya is Jeffrey Sekele (Behind the Badge, Zero Tolerance, Isidingo, The Lab, 90 Plein Street) as Blade, Bhekifa’s right hand man. Street-smart and connected with powerful underworld figures from a stint in prison (where he first met Bhekifa), Blade is loyal but tough and loves Zweli like a father.
Best known for her role as Busi Thwala in the series, Mtunzini.com, Zinhle Mabena takes on the role of 22-year-old, Sihle. Beautiful, smart, spunky and brave, Sihle had to cut short her university studies to return to the Thukela Valley after the mysterious death of her father. Now taking care of her sick mother, when Sihle discovers who’s behind her father’s death, she only has revenge in her mind.
Newcomer Sibusisiwe Jili gets her chance to shine with the role of 28-year-old Zanele, the manageress of Club Sheba. Charming and beautiful Zanele is also Bhekifa’s mistress although she’s 20 years younger than him.
From March 17th 2014, Isibaya will broadcast five days a week on Mzansi Magic, in the primetime slot of 20h30. This comes after a nearly year-long run of 208 telenovela episodes during which the villains, rivalry, power, money, impossible love and distinctly homegrown flavour of the show proved a hit with viewers.
A summary of what to expect in April:
Episode 219, Monday, 31 March
Declaration of love
S’bu declares his love for Thandeka. Will both families support the young couple? Mpiyakhe sends the incoming chief a gift and iris battles to keep her secrets underwraps.
Episode 220, Tuesday, 1 April
The truth is twisted
Thandeka and Sbu steal time alone. Shadrack is determined for Mpiyakhe to discover truth that lies in his household. Mandla plans to sabotage the Sbu’s happiness. It’s time for Iris to answer for her sins.
Episode 221, Wednesday, 2 April
Iris’ plan
Pam discovers Iris’s plan. Bhekifa visits the king. Zweli meets and flirts with Sihle. Iris does the unthinkable.
Episode 222, Thursday, 3 April
Siphokazi’s plan
Siphokazi takes action to get rid of Mpiyakhe’s complication. Sihle puts Zweli in his place.
Episode 223, Friday, 4 April
Lobola negotiations
Bhekifa visits his mother’s grave. The lobola negotiations are underway.
Episode 224, Monday, 7 April
The chief
The day of bhefika’s installation arrives. Mandla and Bongani scheme against S’bu. Bhekifa overhears a cryptic conversation about a dark secret from his past.
Episode 225, Tuesday, 8 April
The truth is out
A big story in the newspaper changes everything.
Episode 226, Wednesday, 9 April
Scheming
Jabu’s attempts to help Lerato don’t go quite as planned. Bhekifa is haunted by the past.
Episode 227, Thursday, 10 April
The lunch
Mpiyakhe’s memories come flooding back. S’khaleni is furious when someone else competes for pam’s attention. Khanyi stands up to Mandla.
Episode 228, Friday, 11 April
Mpiyake remembers
Mpiyakhe’s memory return with devastating results.
Episode 229, Monday, 14 April
Iris hides
Mpiyakhe makes a worrying discovery, Iris finds a place to hide and Lerato’s baby comes home.
Episode 230, Tuesday, 15 April
Bhekifa wants the truth
As Mpiyakhe re-establishes control, Bhekifa continues to look for the truth.
Episode 231, Wedneday, 16 April
A new mom
Lerato struggles with motherhood. Mpiyakhe finds out the truth and the noose tightens for the ones that wronged him.
Episode 232, Thursday, 17 April
Iris on the street
While iris struggles, some find happiness.
Episode 233, Friday, 18 April
love is sweet
Thandeka and S’bu enjoy their new status. Zanele is distrustful of Boysie and Iris makes a critical discovery.
Episode 234, Monday, 21 April
Jabu’s choice
Iris and Mandla seek a confrontation while Thandeka struggles with an opportunity. Jabu makes a big choice.
Episode 235, Tuesday, 22 April
Iris tries her luck
Mpiyakhe comes home to find the last person he had in mind waiting for him. Thandeka finally tells S’bu the big news.
Episode 236, Wednesday, 23 April
Difficult choices
Thandeka and S’bu have difficult decisions to make about the future. Lerato and Jabu grow closer.
Episode 237, Thursday, 24 April
Iris determined to survive
Iris resorts to her old tricks. Mandla makes inroads with the new chief. Jabu’s happy life shatters.
Episode 238, Friday, 25 April
Jabu’s past haunts him
Iris delivers an ultimatum to Jabu and Thandeka.
Episode 239, Monday, 28 April
Mandla causing trouble
Mandla plans to have the last say about the wedding. S’khaleni is missing Wiseman already and Iris is on the hunt for new life.
Episode 240, Tuesday, 29 April
Iris won’t give up
Mandla’s attempt at a joke is not funny. When Jabu refuses to bail Iris out of her current position, she turns to an unlikely person for help.
Episode 241, Wednesday, 30 April
The secret meeting
The UTA gather for a meeting in Jo’burg. Mkabayi has a secret meeting behind Mpiyakhe’s back.
Episode 242, Thursday, 1 May
Wedding plans
Iris runs into trouble at the club. Thandeka can’t help feeling worried about her upcoming union.
Episode 243, Friday, 2 May
The wedding
It’s the wedding day in the valley. Will everything go as planned?