Isibaya to return as a soapie

The run of the 208 telenovela episodes will end on March 13 and audiences have been preparing to haul out the tissues when the story of the Zungus and the Ndlovus finally drew to a close.

But from March 17, Isibaya will broadcast five days a week, in the primetime slot of 8.30pm according to a statement released by Mzansi Magic.

“The response to Isibaya has been fantastic,” Yolisa Phahle, Channel Director of M-Net’s general entertainment channels said.

“Viewership exceeded the expectations we had when we launched in March 2013,with the show now consistently surprising viewers with fresh and interesting storylines. You also only have to go onto social networks during the broadcast of each episode to see how closely viewers are following the story arcs and characters.”

Set against the backdrop of the taxi industry, and in the Thukela Valley in Kwa-Zulu Natal, a century- old feud between two powerful families has already seen the central character, Mpiyakhe Zungu (Siyabonga Twala) – a high profile taxi boss, savvy political player and leader – die in a fatal accident, only to return as a zombie.