SIYABONGA Twala, Tumisho Masha and Thembi Nyandeni are among the new cast of Isibaya, a new drama series taking over from Inkaba on Mzansi Magic from March 18 at 8.30pm.

Isibaya's storyline features two young lovers who are caught between their powerful, warring families, the Zungus and the Ndlovus. It unfolds at Bhubesini in the Thukela Valley.

"The families fought over cattle and grazing, then the taxi routes to Johannesburg, now, the possibility of untold riches from a tender for a new highway allows tensions to bubble and erupt," Angus Gibson, who wrote, produced and directed the show, explained yesterday.

Gibson said the208-episode series was shot at uMsinga in KwaZulu Natal, Johannesburg and Soweto.

Mampho Brescia, who plays Iris the gold-digger, says being part of the show had been fun. Masha, who plays Jackson Sibiya, a greasy salesman, says he loves the character and being in Isibaya has been a dream come true.

Pallance Dladla, who was a runner-up in the 2011 Class Act competition, likened appearing in Isibayato an "apprenticeship." - mashiloanec@timesmedia.co.za