Lerato gets nasty! Look out, Bongi
Lerato is best friends with lifesaver Bongi… until she finds out who’s boss.
Lerato (Samkelo Ndlovu) still can’t believe that her nemesis Bongi (Thembi Seete) saved her when she rushed in on Tuesday 8 November, wedding dress and all, to rescue Lerato from a raging Doc (Dumisani Mbebe). Bongi’s heroic efforts saved Lerato’s life but they also cost fiancé Doc his life – and now a murder investigation is underway. A thankful Lerato is demonstrating her gratitude through friendship, but that is going to come crashing down thanks to a power struggle at Red Records.
MURDER SHE WROTE
The ladies are stunned on Wednesday 9 November to learn that there’s a possibility Bongi could be charged with Doc’s murder. But Lerato is quick to defend the woman Doc left her for. “She didn’t want Doc back. She was just bitter. She had no idea that it would all end like this,” Samkelo says. “Lerato feels like she owes Bongi her life and we see the real Lerato, who actually wants to help, not only by telling the police the truth but also by organising a benefit concert in Doc’s honour and paying for his funeral.” But all the kind deeds in the world can’t make up for the guilt that Lerato feels. She’s responsible for a woman killing her husband, so she sets out to make things right with Bongi, starting with a toast to their newfound truce. “Bongi tells Lerato that she forgives her for what took place,” says Samkelo. But even for a special occasion, recovering drug addict Bongi probably shouldn’t be touching booze…
BOOZY BONGI
By Thursday 10 November, one drink has turned to four and Bongi is back on the bottle, having fallen off the wagon – hard! Adding to her woes is that Doc’s relatives are in town throwing around accusations and having her and her daughter Zinzi (Ntando Duma) kicked out their home on Monday 14 November. All the while, Lerato remains the caring friend, despite Zinzi’s confrontation regarding her friendship with Bongi. “Lerato isn’t bothered by anything Zinzi has to say as she’s always been an opinionated brat who gets away with a lot, so she’s told to get out of Lerato’s way,” adds Samkelo. But Lerato may not be singing the same tune when she realises that “grieving widow” Bongi is about to get her hands on what Lerato wants: Red.
QUEEN BEE
When Doc’s last will and testament surfaces on Monday 21 November, no one’s prepared for the bombshell it contains. Not only has Lerato’s plan to run Red failed, she finds out that Bongi’s acquired Doc’s share in the company and she’s running the show. “She’s an opportunist and assesses the situation, ready to play puppet-master,” says Samkelo. “The fact that the family is also against Bongi works for her and she uses it as a tool to further her agenda.” But how far is Lerato willing to go to bring down the woman who saved her life in favour of a position she believes that she deserves?