The most popular telenova currently on South African television, Isibaya, received 10 awards at the inaugural Royalty Soapie awards, held at the Durban International Convention Centre on Saturday March 8. The awards are the brainchild of Generations actress Winnie Modise
Isibaya, produced by The Bomb Shelter, scooped the outstanding soapie, outstanding lead actor (Siyabonga Twala) and outstanding lead actress (Thembi Nyandeni) awards.
Isibaya also won in the technical categories for outstanding directing, outstanding art direction, outstanding make-up and hair, outstanding casting director, outstanding lighting and outstanding editing.
Last week Mzansi Magic decided to turn the nearly one-year-old series into a full-time soapie from March 17.
Isibaya will broadcast five days a week at 8.30pm.
TV personality Michael Mol and actor Hlomla Dandala. (Rajesh Jantilal)
More winners
"The response to Isibaya has been fantastic," says Yolisa Phahle, channel director of M-Net's general entertainment channels.
"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. We are thrilled to now be able to offer our viewers a dose of Isibaya every weekday as the show enters a new era."
Isibaya is set against the backdrop of the taxi industry in the Thukela Valley in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
SABC2's 7de Laan took three awards for outstanding supporting actor (Hennie Jacobs), outstanding supporting actress (Annelize van der Ryst) and outstanding newcomer (Simoné Nortmann) with Isidingo and M-Net's cancelled show The Wild winning two awards. Binneland's Marisa Drummond also received an award in the outstanding female villain category.
Shaleen Surtie-Richards was awarded the lifetime achievement award for her 30-year contribution to the industry and her memorable roles on soapies such as Egoli, Generations and 7de Laan.
Television viewers voted Binneland as their favourite soapie.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
Outstanding lead actor
Siyabonga Twala (Mpiyakhe Zungu) – Isibaya
Outstanding lead actress
Thembi Nyandeni (Mkabayi Zungu) – Isibaya
Outstanding male villain
Robert Whitehead (Barker Haines) – Isidingo
Outstanding female villain
Marisa Drummond (Alexa) – Binneland
Outstanding soapie
Isibaya
Outstanding supporting actor
Hennie Jacobs (Diederik) – 7de Laan
Outstanding supporting actress
Annelize van der Ryst (Matrone Netta Nortje) – 7de Laan
Outstanding couple
Tema Sebopedi and Motlatsi Mafatshe (Sechaba Moloi and Lerato Tsotetsi) – Isidingo
Outstanding newcomer
Simoné Nortmann (Nadia) – 7de Laan
Outstanding make-up and hair
Isibaya
Outstanding set design
The Wild
Outstanding writing team
Isibaya
Outstanding wardrobe
The Wild
Outstanding art direction
Isibaya
Outstanding directing team
Isibaya
Outstanding editing team
Isibaya
Outstanding casting director
Kutlwano Ditsele and Angus Gibson – Isibaya
Outstanding lighting
Isibaya
Favourite soapie award
Binneland
Lifetime achievement awards
Shaleen Surtie-Richards
The ceremony will be broadcast on SABC 1 on a date to be announced.