Celebs turn out for launch of telenovela

INLSA

CELEBS: TV personalities Weza Solange, left, and Sthembiso Khoza. Picture: Itumeleng English

If you are into branding, marketing or anything related to those disciplines then you would have wanted to be at the iSibaya launch.

iSibaya is Mzansi Magic’s latest telenovela which is set to replace iNkaba, which has run its course. Produced by the production house The Bomb Shelter (Yizo Yizo), the telenovela centres on one of South Africa’s most relevant subjects, the taxi industry.

The launch was held two days ago in Protea Glen, Soweto, at the house of the once popular late taxi owner, Godfrey Moloi. This took your mind into what the show might feel like because it will be shot at this home over the next eight months.

The event was attended by celebrities who included Minnie Dlamini, David Kau, Sthembiso “SK” Khoza, Trevor Gumbi and Weza Solange. While everyone else may have been on the job, it was interesting to see Solange and SK there as they are both products of iNkaba and, understandably, no one else from their team pitched to support the new baby.

While representatives of The Bomb Shelter took turns to explain the telenovela’s plot, which sounds interesting, it was their presentation that had the audience eating out of their hands.

The venue had screens place all over so you could see the show’s trailer from any angle. The first thing the people appreciated about the trailer was the cast, which includes veteran actors like Siyabonga Twala, Tumisho Masha and newbies Sdumo Mtshali and Pallance Dladla.

Things only improved when the tapes started rolling and we saw a brutal taxi world where a number of people are sworn enemies and constantly fight over taxi routes. So we are talking guns, petrol bombs and all that comes with that. In the middle of all that is a love story that desperately needs peace to come about among the fighting parties in order to prosper.

The fact that this show is shot extensively outdoors makes it more believable.

Athough the trailer was mind- blowing it was the visit to the set, entering Moloi’s residence, that made this production one of the best things to look out for this year.

All the actors sat in different rooms, in character, and met with people to show off their characters through impromptu acting.

Unlike a usual set visit where you ask an actor questions about their character portrayal, here the actors simply chatted to you as if you were one of the cast and after a while you had an the idea of who they play in the telenovela.

The attention to detail in the Moloi house setting is worth an award in itself, as shall be seen when iSibaya starts.

iNkaba was good, but you probably won’t miss it after seeing how great Mzansi Magic’s new offering is. Much thought and time has been put into this production and it is going to change the future of local telenovelas.

To sign up for our Tonight newsletter click here

To vote on our Tonight poll click here