1 Introduction

The chapter introduces the significance of personal names in African societies and their influence on individuals' lives. It also discusses the importance of names in communication and highlights the different naming conventions observed in various cultures. Additionally, it mentions the portrayal of women in literature and the transformation of women's representation in contemporary drama series. The chapter justifies the relevance of the study on the names of characters in Isibaya and emphasizes the need for research in the field of literary onomastics in African literature.

2 Isibaya drama series: a historical background

This chapter discusses the historical background of the Isibaya drama series, including its production, cast, and the themes it explores. It also explores the portrayal of traditional gender roles and the power dynamics between the rival Zungu and Ndlovu families in the context of the South African taxi industry. The chapter also highlights the significance of the title "Isibaya" and the themes of violence, love, scandal, and betrayal portrayed in the series.

3 Towards a definition of onomastics

This chapter describes the field of onomastics, which is concerned with the origin and forms of proper names of persons or places. Onomastics derives from the Greek word "onoma," meaning "name," and denotes the study of proper names of all kinds and their origins. The term "name" refers to a word or combination of words that identifies a person, being, subject, or object as a proper noun. Onomastics is a branch of linguistics that examines proper nouns and the use of names is important in society. The form and use of a name can be influenced by laws and decrees, and there can be socio-political problems associated with names. The term "onomastics" is also defined as a branch of semantics dealing with the etymology of proper names, and it belongs to the domains of study covered by anthropology, history, linguistics, and folklore. Names have a specific origin and the reason for their existence in the speech community.

4 Review of literature related to onomastics

The chapter reviews literature related to onomastics and personal names, highlighting the significance of names in different cultures, and discussing naming practices among different ethnic groups in various countries. The review also explores the importance of names in literary works, focusing on the connection between characters and the names they bear, as well as their relevance to the overall interpretation of a literary work. Literary onomastics is used as the theoretical base for the analysis. The chapter provides a comprehensive overview of existing research on the subject, exposing gaps in the body of knowledge on the bestowal of personal names and the significance of names in literature.

5 Methodology

The methodology adopted a qualitative approach and a constructivist paradigm to explore the naming and portrayal of Mkabayi in Isibaya. Qualitative research aims to understand the meanings that people make to shape the world and allows for in-depth analysis of how things work in a particular social context. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data generated from the study.

6 Gender Stereotype and Culture

This chapter discusses the impact of culture on gender stereotypes and how it affects the expectations and behavior of women in Zulu society. It explores how the character Mkabayi defies traditional gender roles and expectations in her portrayal in Isibaya, representing an urban woman in a traditional Zulu rural setting. The chapter also looks at the pressure and oppression that Zulu women face, and how society creates stereotypes that portray women as submissive and dependent on men. It highlights the character of Mkabayi as a medium that seeks to balance gender equality and allows women to self-reflect on their existence in society, showing independence, bravery, and the ability to achieve her desires.

7 Analysis, interpretation and discussion

Mkabayi was named after Mkabayi kaJama, a powerful Zulu woman, and had a strong influence on succession disputes. In Isibaya, Mkabayi's strong personality and powerful character encouraged women to prioritize their dignity and stand up for their rights. Her portrayal in the drama illustrated the bravery of women in critical situations, and demonstrated the producer's exploration of the role of women in society. The character of Mkabayi reflected the traditional roles of men and women in Zulu society, and there were similarities between Mkabayi in Isibaya and the historical figure Mkabayi kaJama. Characters play an integral role in the drama series, and Mkabayi's character in Isibaya represented an old and powerful Zulu woman with a strong personality, demanding respect and recognition.

8 Conclusion

The conclusion chapter discusses the influential role of media in disseminating knowledge and shaping cultural environments. It also delves into the analysis of the naming of the character Mkabayi in Isibaya drama series, highlighting her portrayal as a strong and dignified woman. The chapter explores the similarities between the character and the historical figure of Princess Mkabayi kaJama, emphasizing the intention behind naming the character. Overall, the chapter emphasizes the significance of personal names in conveying the authors' intentions and messages.