Romance rival
If Babeile isn’t careful, he’s going to lose Sonti to another guy.
Skeem Saam Weekdays SABC1 (*191) 18:30
Sonti (Pearl Maimela) is a month into her first real relationship but like the Titanic, it’s heading for an iceberg. While she is feeling loved up with nice-guy cop Babeile (Matthews Manamela), a business phonecall from Thursday 1 December turns into an in-the-flesh meeting on Thursday 8 December and Sonti is bowled over by her potential investor.
“She meets this handsome guy, you know – with muscles and the chiselled jawline,” says Matthews. “Right now, Lehasa Maphosa (Cedric Fourie) is only interested in investing in Sonti’s business – nothing more [on Thursday 8 December].” Sonti on the other hand has fallen hook, line and sinker and she can’t get her possible new business partner off her mind.
And seeing what other proverbial fish are in the sea gets the businesswoman asking questions of her current squeeze, who’s seemingly content with his quiet and routine lifestyle. “In one of their conversations, Sonti asks Babeile if he ever had dreams of becoming anything other than a cop,” explains Matthews. “Babeile feels a little uneasy but he puts this down to her being an ambitious businesswoman and on Tuesday 13 December, Babeile asks his boss Captain Malebana (Arthur Molepo) about the possibilities of him studying further.” Babeile has no idea that Sonti is subconsciously comparing him to Lehasa and there’s not a lot that he can do, says Matthews. “Sonti has ‘found’ someone who’s more goodlooking than her boyfriend. This new guy, whom we know very little about, is ambitious and he dreams of making a change, which aligns perfectly with Sonti’s dreams.”
But Babeile’s no fool and he asks Sonti on Wednesday 14 December why she questioned his ambition. While she allays his fears, he’s left doubting himself, especially because he isn’t sure what’s getting his lady as giddy as a schoolgirl. That would be her meetings with Lehasa and Matthews reveals that “Sonti is now looking more and more forward to seeing him, even if it’s just for their business meetings” – kind of like how she was looking forward to Babeile’s visits in November. As for Lehasa, “He wants to take Sonti’s good business and make it better with his help and his money,” says Matthews. “At this point, Lehasa hasn’t made a move on Sonti. At this point…” Tensions boiled over between Mangaliso, Lelo and Elizabeth at home, and Charity returned but not to a happy family. Lelo’s plans are blowing up in her face, while Charity has to deal with the damage that she’s caused her family. The doctors are surprised when they analyse Elizabeth’s blood, Sonti might’ve found a new business partner and a lover, and Elizabeth’s eyes are opened to what is going on under her very roof.
Mangaliso is caught red-handed and he’s got no option but to deal with the consequences of his actions, and Sphola comes face-to-face with a cougar whose “off limits” warning is temptation that he may not be able to refuse. Elizabeth is shattered by what she learns but she’s only more determined to get her victory, and Babeile’s love plans could be ruined when he questions himself and opens the door to a rival for Sonti’s heart. Tbose is trying to make the best decision for Pitsi but he’s caught between two immovable forces, and Ma’Kunutu realises that she’s still got a lot to learn about raising a boy. Alfred and Ma’Kunutu refuse to buckle to Nimza’s demands, and Sonti is blinded by love when a handsome stranger arrives. Elsewhere, Mangaliso is ready to make a decision.