Mzansi’s magic hit soapie Isibaya, has had a terrible year in 2020, from losing some of its actors to getting canned, it seems there was so much drama behind the scenes that many could not handle on the show.

Read More: Isibaya Gets Canned!

The award-winning show first aired its first episode on 18 March 2013 and it became a household name. The show started as a telenovela and it went on to become a long-standing soapie on the channel.

The telenovela follows the lives of two feuding families, the Zungu’s and the Ndlovu’s, in the cut-throat taxi industry. Two young lovers from the two families cause havoc when they fell in love with each other, but both families mend their relationship as the lovebirds take their love to the next level.

It is safe to say that 2020 was Isibaya’s year as numerous actors handed over their resignation letters and dumped it, some left the show amid a decline in ratings.

Daily Sun recently confirmed that the show was not renewed for another season and that the cast and crew members were well aware that the show is in its final season, and that the announcement did not shock either of them.

“Unfortunately, the channel has decided not to renew the show for another season because it doesn’t see a return on investment and doesn’t see sense in continuing with a property that doesn’t make financial sense. The production company was given a time frame within which to increase ratings, but they’re still low.

“The show’s creators are said to have tried to energize ratings by bringing back old and famous faces, but even this didn’t help. They tried to get some of Mzansi’s most recognisable faces, but that hasn’t worked in their favor. The channel asked the producers to come up with ways to improve the show and gave them a deadline to achieve this,” said a mole who spoke to the publication

Here is a list of actors who left the show in 2020!

1. Nomzamo Mbatha.

The actress seemingly left the show on good terms due to her busy career. Nomzamo scored a role in the upcoming Coming 2 America sequel which is set to be released on March 5, 2021, on Amazon Prime.

The role forced her to relocate to the big apple and it was not easy for her to kill two birds with one stone. Nomzamo came back to South Africa to shoot her final scenes on the show and her character was killed off.2. Jessica Nkosi

The Kwazulu-Natal born actress recently bid farewell to the show after she landed a role on Mzansi Magic’s The Queen. 

Speaking to Sunday World, Jessica said she left the show to expand her craft and this was not the first time she left “It is true that I’m leaving Isibaya. I’d like to explore the industry and expand on my craft a little further. It was time for me to leave. I’m so grateful to the Isibaya team for helping me establish myself in this industry with such an incredible cast and crew. I’m still on the show and viewers will have to watch to see when my last episode is. To the viewers of Isibaya, I say thank you,” she said.

3 Siyabonga Thwala.

Siyabonga Twala recently left the show after a long 8-year-run with it. His exit sent shockwaves to many people. Siyabonga seemingly left the show after rumours gained momentum that if the soapie’s numbers did not improve, the channel was considering pulling the plug on it.

4 Sdumo Mtshali.

The multi-award-winning actor left the show reportedly to join a new SABC 3 soapie The Estate. Sdumo also left the show seemingly due to its viewership drama behind the scenes.

5. Menzi Ngubane.

The actor said he left the show on a positive note after it was alleged that he was fired. Menzi released a statement on Instagram, to set the record straight on his exit. His Manager said “There have been misinformed reports that Menzi was dumped by the producers of Isibaya, however, we would like to clarify that the character had run its course, and unfortunately if there is no story to be told the character will unfortunately die. Menzi is leaving Isibaya on a positive note having contributed to a great production, most importantly he entertained South Africans” Said Naomi Mokhele.

The actor landed a role on The Queen but due to his illness, his appearance was postponed.