NEWS & ANALYSIS

"Fury over Isibaya! Creators of show have no respect, Inkosi fumes" - Daily Sun

The front page and lead story of SA's largest daily newspaper, February 18 2014

Daily Sun (January 18 2014) - MILLIONS of viewers may love Isibaya and watch it every night, but one man is fighting with the producers. Inkosi Thembitshe Mabaso said he has devoted his life to making his area a place of peace.

BUT ISIBAYA IS MAKING BHUBESINI LOOK LIKE A BLOODY BATTLEFIELD!

Inkosi Mabaso said the creators of Isibaya have painted his area in

Umsinga, KZN as a place of violence. "We have fought hard to keep peace in this area and to give it a positive image. These people don't consider that," said the Inkosi.

He said he was shocked when he saw his area of Bhubesini on TV.

"Ubuntu says when you arrive in an area you report to the local Inkosi.

"But these people just arrived with their crew and nobody informed me," he said.

"As the authorities we must know in what light our area will be painted.

"These people make money out of this area and we don't get any royalties."

In the series Bhubesini is the area where two powerful families in the taxi business are involved in a century old feud.

Inkosi Mabaso blamed local businessman S'manga Mabaso for bringing the celebrities to his area. But S'manga told the SunTeam he was only hosting the Isibaya crew.

"It's not my responsibility to get permission for them to do their job," he said.

Angus Gibson, the show's producer, said: "I know we must follow procedure. We are shooting on the side of the river that is ruled by Inkosi Mthembu, whom we have contacted."

Gibson said they hope to talk to Inkosi Mabaso in future.

The show's publicist, Bongi

Potelwa said they have had these complaints from Inkosi Mabaso before.

"We referred all complaints to the local people, who welcomed Isibaya to Bhubesini.

"Theypromised to address the matter with their Inkosi," said Potelwa.

Inkosi Mabaso said he suspects local politicians and greedy, disrespectful businessmen could have invited the Isibaya crew and given them permission to shoot the show.

) The show runs on Mzansi Magic channel 161 on Monday to Thursday.

See the Daily Sun mobi site for more on this and other stories....

 

The Daily Sun is South Africa's largest daily newspaper with an average circulation of 291,132 (Audit Bureau of Circulations 3rd Quarter 2013) and a readership of 5.7m (as per AMPS 2012ab). Its Facebook page can be accessed here. It can be followed on Twitter here. To find about advertising on the Daily Sun click here.

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