“They Were Insulting Me Because of My Onscreen Character”: Nelisiwe Sibiya Opens Up About Playing a Villain

Actress and singer Nelisiwe Sibiya has opened up about how playing a villain for the first time challenged her emotionally — and how she managed to grow through it, despite receiving harsh criticism from viewers.

Nelisiwe, who plays Zamahlubi Ntanzi (also known as Zama Ntanzi) in the Mzansi Magic telenovela Ithonga, said she was initially shocked by the strong negative reactions to her character. Described as a “spoilt brat”, her role quickly became the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons.

“People took it personal, and they cursed me out even on my pictures,” she told Daily Sun. “They were insulting me because of my onscreen character. They can’t differentiate between real life and the character, and I’m glad I have directors who would make sure I’m okay.”

Nelisiwe, 32, admitted that she found the role intimidating at first, especially because of the cruel comments she received from some viewers. Even simple activities, like attending a wedding, turned into uncomfortable experiences because of how seriously people took her character.

But with time, and support from the show’s directors, Nelisiwe grew more confident and started embracing the role. Now, that very performance has earned her a nomination for a Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Award.

“It’s so surreal. I’ve been nominated for many awards, even internationally. But this one is important because it’s from KZN, and it shows that I’m recognised where I come from,” she said proudly.

Nelisiwe said the recognition means a lot because it comes from her home province. She also praised the province for supporting artists through awards like these.

“The truth is, the industry is hard, and I’m happy that there are people who have been following me since I started on social media. I’m not going to respond to negative comments. I love people, and I appreciate those who show me love,” she added.

Despite the hate, Nelisiwe remains positive and grounded. Her story shows that with inner strength, support, and patience, even the most difficult roles can lead to great achievements.