Celebrities
Nelisiwe Sibiya says fans now hate her in real life after playing a villain on ‘Ithonga’
South African actress Nelisiwe Sibiya has opened up about how portraying a villain on the hit drama series Ithonga has changed the way people see her.
The actress, who rose to fame for her beloved role as Dr Mbali on Durban Gen, admitted that stepping into darker territory as Zama Ntanzi on Ithonga has been both exciting and challenging.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Nelisiwe said that while she appreciates the recognition she’s received for her performance, it has also made her a target of unexpected backlash.
“It’s been hard because people hate me. They think what I’m doing on TV is who I am in real life,” she revealed.
Despite the mixed reactions from viewers, Nelisiwe’s performance has earned her major praise in the industry, including a National Film and Television Award nomination for her role in Ithonga.
Expressing her gratitude for the honour, she shared a heartfelt message on Instagram.
“Thank you so much @nationalfilmandtvawards for seeing me, and thank you to wonke umuntu who supports me. It’s been an amazing journey, and we learn every day. Thank you to umvelinqangi, amathonga and uShembe for izibusiso.”
