Mtshali impresses in Isibaya

Actor Sdumo Mtshali has taken to his role as S'bu Ndlovu in Mzansi Magic's new telenovela Isibaya like a duck to water.

This is remarkable considering that he answered the producers' SOS call just weeks before the show was to premiere on March 18.

Mtshali, 30, was roped in to play taxi owner Samson Ndlovu's (played by Bheki Mkhwane) youngest son, after the original actor, Treasure Blose, went AWOL for a week.

Neither production company Bomb Shelter Productions nor the channel knew of his whereabouts.

The Times has been unable to confirm with Blose rumours that he disappeared to perform a traditional cleansing ceremony.

Worried about interrupting production and the financial implications, the producers acted swiftly by replacing the Durbanite with his homeboy Mtshali.

M-Net spokesman Lani Lombard refused to give details for Blose's axing, saying: "The role of S'bu was recast after Treasure Blose had experienced difficulties complying with the terms and conditions of his contract due to unforeseen personal circumstances."

She added that the recasting was made before the show was launched, and revealed that Blose was "still part of the production and will be seen ... in a different role".

In Isibaya, S'bu is being groomed to take over his father's taxi business. But when he falls in love with Thandeka (played by Nomzamo Mbatha), from the rival Zungu family all hell breaks loose. Both families try to stop the romance.

The 208-episode show is about the power battle between the Zungus and the Ndlovus, and has been receiving rave reviews, especially for its portrayal of Zulu culture and its cinematography.