Murder & his millions
Albert’s left behind a fortune of money, but who’ll get what?
Muvhango
After albert (ndivhuho mutsila) was accidentally shot dead at the mojalefa mansion on monday 28 July, the formalities have been observed and the all-important reading of his will happens on Friday 15 august. the mukwevhos are a (mostly) peaceful family, but they’re not pleased that albert left most of his estate to his wife and kids – leaving the family with next to nothing.
FAMILY MATTERS
“what concerns the family most is that albert’s wife hangwani (constance sibiya) is still young and can remarry,” explains david sebe, who plays albert’s brother Gizara. “when that happens, all that their brother has worked for will fall into another man’s hands. there are vultures out there and if hangwani falls for one, she’ll be left empty-handed and all of albert’s energy will have gone to waste.” but why is Gizara adamant about the issue? not only were he and albert brothers, they were close friends as well. and although he wasn’t left much in his brother’s will, Gizara is “determined to fight in his best interest to fill the void that albert left behind,” says david.
POWER PLAY
so what’s a man to do when he fears that his brother’s hard work will go to waste and his family will be left with nothing? cook up a plan to ensure that nothing untoward happens to his late brother’s riches. “the family decides that they must control hangwani and ensure that their culture is honoured and their brother’s wife and kids are cared for.” in a perfect world, hangwani would gladly give away her inheritance and adhere to whatever the uncles agree upon, but there’s the small issue of the law, david points out – and therein lies the conflict. culture and tradition come a sorry second to the law and if albert’s lawfully left significant amounts of his estate to his wife, there’s nothing that the family can do – regardless of what tradition dictates. “whatever you touch belongs to the family,” david explains, so the fight is far from over.
A QUESTION OF CULTURE
according to Venda culture, if a person dies, the family must care for the family of the deceased to keep the wealth in the bloodline. with albert’s daughter Rendani (innocentia makapila), his son Gundo (nkululeko tshirumbula) and their mom getting most of his estate, it may be a problem keeping it in the family.
“albert gave hangwani so much as he was blinded by love and didn’t consider tradition,” says david. “the family don’t even know her that well and have seen her very seldom, so it makes no sense for them to allow her the luxury of being in charge of his riches.” one thing’s for sure though: as much respect as hangwani has for her late husband’s family and tradition, she won’t be bullied out of what’s rightfully hers: a ton of money.