Jessica Nkosi, who plays the rural Qondi on Isibaya, launched her acting career through the show after the auditions. Picture: Gallo Images
Every day a star is born and each year popular local television soapie Isibaya capitalises on this with its annual Durban auditions.
Celebrating its third year this month, the Bomb Shelter Film Company’s auditions have catapulted the careers of a number of local actors and actresses,most notably Nomzamo Mbatha and Jessica Nkosi.
Kutlwano Ditsele announced the city’s auditions on social media yesterday.
“#Isibaya Auditions 2016 coming to Durban soon. Details to follow.” read the message.
Ditsele said the annual tradition had unearthed a few acting gems and continued to add to the success of the show.
KwaMashu-born Mbatha launched her acting career through the show in 2013 as Thandeka Zungu.
Since then the 25-year-old has acted in local movie Tell Me Sweet Something alongside rumoured boyfriend Masego “Maps” Maponyane.
Jessica Nkosi, who plays the rural Qondi on Isibaya, launched her acting career through the show after the auditions.
After a failed attempt at a law degree, the Esikhawini-raised beauty took to acting and has not looked back.
Her other acting roles include her portrayal of Eve on Vuzu Channel’s aYeYe.
The Zulu telenovela has also launched the careers of Mdu Gumede, known for his portrayal as taxi driver Ntandane, and Sibusisiwe Jili, through her portrayal of Zanele, the manageress of Club Sheba and mistress to Bhekifa.
The soapie is up for seven SA Film and Television Awards this year, including in the categories for best television soap and best actor in a lead role – with two nominations.
Ditsele said the success of the show lay in its authenticity.
“The authenticity to Natal – its language, its culture, the taxi industry – is what I think makes it successful,” he said.
“But it’s a combination of things that come together,” he added.
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