The big switch
Gold Diggers is back – with a few additions to its cast and a brand-new backdrop.
Dineo Nchabeleng has joined the new season of Gold Diggers. Season 2 Weekdays (from Monday 5 September) e.tv (*194) 20:00
When we bid farewell to season 1 of Gold Diggers (2015- current) in March this year, there was drama aplenty – conman Israel (Menzi Ngubane) fled after breaking widowed May’s (Tina Jaxa) heart when she learnt that he was trying to steal the money that her late hubby Patrick (Mbongeni Ngema) had left her. Then, Big Boy’s (Mxolisi Majola) babymama Nandipha (Keneilwe Mathidze) was exposed as a former hooker but she was accepted by the family as she was pregnant with the next generation of Gumedes. And the Gumede brothers were forced back into illegal mining after their former mine colleagues tried to extort money from the family, then the brothers were thrown in jail.
Fastforward a few months and the backdrop of the rural homestead has been swapped for the vibrant township of Soweto, where the Gumedes are now living as season 2 starts on Monday 5 September. It’s where we meet Reverend Moloi (Owen Sejake) and his daughter Emily (Dineo Nchabeleng). Since returning from her acting hiatus last year, Dineo’s had roles on series including Dream World (2014current) and Ring Of Lies (2016- current). “I’m just happy to be working!” she says, before telling us a bit more about her new role on Gold Diggers…
Who is Emily? Reverend Moloi’s only daughter is a student who stands for what is good and right in the world, but not in a fanatical way. She embodies these traits within her naturally. What attracted you to the character? Emily is genuinely good. She is a church girl who doesn’t venture out of the unit. She doesn’t entertain any temptation. I think at times she forgets that she is human; her naivety and youth lead her to believe that she can live a perfect life and that everyone else should too. Describe her relationship with her father. Emily is open-minded and she has an honest relationship with her dad, but it gets rocky when a family member is introduced, who’s considered the bad seed of the Moloi family and changes their dynamic. I’d say that Emily’s dad is a lot less judgemental than she is and we see this when the Gumedes move into their community. And with the rest of the world? She’s considered different in the context of the township, but she’s not intimidated – she stands her ground. Emily is more herself at home because there are things that she and her dad don’t want people to see outside the confines of the family… like the black sheep that nobody talks about. Hiding him makes them feel better about themselves because they don’t have to deal with him or explain his existence. They can maintain their good image, which is vital to staying respectable in the community. How does Emily perceive the Gumedes? Her first meeting [with youngest son] Lucky (Mpho Sibeko) is very touch-andgo. She doesn’t know anything about these people but Lucky’s charm grabs her. Lucky is also intrigued – there’s something that interests him in her, so much so that he’s willing to change for her. He is caught up in a relationship with another girl, but he’s so drawn to Emily’s wholesomeness. Does that perception change at all? She puts her foot down more as she gets to know Lucky better. We’ll see what happens between them, but I assure you: it’s not going to be predictable. NB! The show wasn’t able to provide episode synopses at the time of print.