Isibaya is coming to an end, but we will never forget AK47-toting Mkabayi Zungu, portrayed by the terrific, yet terrifying Thembi Nyandeni.
Since the show’s inception in 2013, Nyandeni has not only played the matriarch in the fictional village of Bhubesini, but she has been a revelation for female characters on local TV.
Nyandeni believes she’s leaving a legacy of “kicking ass” and there is no doubt that the character nicknamed MaNcwane has been a badass – cementing her status as a feminist icon and winning her a SA Film and Television Award in the process.
She paved the way for strong female characters such as Harriet Khoza (Connie Ferguson) in The Queen, Lindiwe Dlamini (Sindi Dlathu) in The River, Mam'Sonto (Connie Chiume) in Gomora and Mary Ndlovu (Nthati Moshesh) in Isono.
“Every day on set I was there to kick ass and keep everyone on their toes. I made sure that Mkabayi doesn’t take sh*t from anyone. Now every female character is carrying a gun to show that I’m a trendsetter,” Nyandeni gloats.
It has translated on screen in the eight years the show has been on Mzansi Magic. Mkabayi has never needed a man to hold her hand, not even her brother Mphiyakhe (Siyabonga Thwala). She handled a gun like her male counterparts as she faced off against the show’s biggest villains that were played by Vusi Kunene, Menzi Ngubane and Bheki Mkhwane.
“If it was not written properly for Mkabayi, I changed the script,” Nyandeni shares. “The writers tried to get her a love interest and I said to them, ‘come on. Who doesn’t know in society that a man must always complete a woman? I don’t need this’.
“I needed to show other women that we can do it without a man. I believe in my womanhood and I can do it without a man.”
She did it all while wearing her crowning glory – her fabulous natural grey hair. While Mkabayi’s personality has been fierce and intimidating, her sartorial picks have been relaxed, consisting of vibrant Africa prints and loose-fitting dashiki dresses.
In one episode when Mkabayi was forced to run for cover during a shoot-out, viewers got a rare peek at her undergarment. The deliberate move teased her modern and fashionable style as it wasn’t a dated half-slip underskirt, but rather leggings.
But make no mistake about it, Mkabayi has also been in touch with her femininity, often showing her maternal and soft side to the show’s younger cast members that included Nomzamo Mbatha, Jessica Nkosi, Pallance Dladla and Sdumo Mtshali. Sadly, come April ... all of that is set to come to an end.
“Everything that has a beginning has an ending. The past eight years have been awesome,” Nyandeni says. “But we are artists and we always find a way to survive. I’m going to miss the cast and crew. Isibaya has been like part of my family.”
The 67-year-old mother of three asserts that in real life she doesn’t take nonsense, like Mkabayi. “That’s why I’m not married. As much as I’m a mother, I believe that I can fulfil any role of a man,” Nyandeni explains.
“From a very young age I was always like that. I’m a leader and I’ve never been a follower. I make my children understand that life is not easy but I give them love at the same time and I don’t spoil them.”
Born in Mofolo North, Soweto, her showbiz career started in her early 20s as a dancer for successful musical Ipi Ntombi. For 15 years she travelled the globe with the critically acclaimed production taking her to all parts of Europe as well as the US, Canada and Australia.
“I came from a very poor family. My father was a taxi owner, but he wasn’t making ends meet,” Nyandeni recounts. “So, I didn’t want to be poor for the rest of my life and showbiz gave me my voice ... because in the apartheid-era we didn’t have that. Being on a stage gave me power.”
I didn’t want to be poor for the rest of my life and showbiz gave me my voice ... because in the apartheid-era we didn’t have that. Being on a stage gave me power
On her return home in her 30s, Nyandeni kicked off her acting career after Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela discovered the feisty star and cast her in local drama u'Deliwe. She had a supporting role earning R150 per call and played the secretary of the titular character (Cynthia Shange).
“I didn’t even know what I was doing. All the big actors such as Ndaba Mhlongo, Simon Mabhunu and Mary Twala were there,” she recalls. “They used to come into my mother’s house to have beer because she was selling alcohol; she was only catering for the artists. So they saw something in me and grabbed me.”
But it’s her role in Kwakhala Nyonini that turned her into a household name. Sonto Mazibuko was originally cast to play the trailblazing role of Beauty. After Mazibuko died, Nyandeni picked up the baton.
Nyandeni has gone on to have television roles in Lockdown, Zone 14 and Isibaya. She prides herself on the fact she has never had to do auditions and all her roles were written with her in mind. “I was fortunate because I was educated about showbiz overseas. I learnt a lot about saving money. When I came back home I knew what I wanted to do,” she says.
As Isibaya concludes, Nyandeni hints at her retirement. She says she wants to mentor children in small communities about the reality of showbiz – to show them that it’s not all glitz and glamour.
Above all, Nyandeni wants to enjoy the land she bought in the Vaal and the house she built from scratch there. As Nyandeni puts it, she’s debt-free; all her cars and assets are paid off. She refuses to die a pauper like many others before her.
Fact file: Thembi Nyandeni
Favourite food: Oxtail
Favourite TV show: The River
Favourite actor: Siyabonga Thwala
Favourite musician: Sjava
Favourite emoji: Smiley Face
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