Reigning free
Rendani turns down a proposal for her hand in marriage.
Young royal princess Rendani (Innocentia Makapila) fell in love with poor orphan boy Lwazi (Luzuko Nteleko) in 2016 and she later learnt shocking news about her love interest: Lwazi was born HIV positive and she had to deal with the stigma around HIV-positive partners. Despite her family’s disapproval, Rendani and Lwazi kept their relationship going and while Lwazi’s been in Mali for business, he surprises his girl with a visit on Monday 3 April. But it’s no quick “hello”…
NO CAN DO
“Lwazi proposes to Rendani [on Monday 3 April] and then asks her to move to Mali with him,” Innocentia explains. “But Rendani finds herself between a rock and a hard place because Lwazi’s proposal comes at bad timing.” The reason for the timing is important because Rendani has a large cultural role to fulfil in Thathe. As the younger princess, she has to replace the previous princess Tshianeo (Mulalo Mudau) who died in February 2017. Explains Innocentia, “She must take Tshianeo’s place as the cultural advisor in the kingdom and that means she attends events with Chief Azwindini (Gabriel Temudzani) and consults on cultural matters with him.” Meanwhile, Lwazi is devastated because Rendani has turned down his proposal despite their love.
BUSY QUEEN BEE
On Tuesday 4 April, Lwazi refuses to be let down by his girlfriend and he continues to press her. “Lwazi keeps saying to Rendani that if she truly loves him, then she would marry him and support his career move to Mali but what Lwazi doesn’t understand is that he is making her choose between him and her family,” says Innocentia. Not only does Rendani have cultural obligations, she’s also completed her studies and is entering the workforce – she’s now working at the family’s construction business MMC. Innocentia adds that “Rendani is conflicted about everything and becomes miserable. Her family is against Lwazi and will never forgive her if she marries him.”
TIME TO LET GO
The person who detests Lwazi most is Rendani’s older brother Ndalamo (Lesley Musina). “He never liked Lwazi and didn’t accept him into the family. Ndalamo acts like a big bully whenever Lwazi is around,” says Innocentia. On Thursday 6 April, the men butt heads and exchange words. “Ndalamo confronts Lwazi and tells him that he must let Rendani blossom in her life,” says the actress. “Lwazi is shattered because he would never want to hold Rendani back from being successful in life.” On Monday 10 April, Rendani is worried that this may be the end of her relationship because of the strain between her and Lwazi. “Their relationship suffers and it seems that Rendani has a higher purpose – such as chief advisor – that she needs to fulfil. However, only time will tell if the couple will go their own ways forever,” teases Innocentia.