Isithembiso
Zamani’s ready to turn his back when his dad causes trouble.
Isithembiso Mon-Thu Mzansi Magic (*161) 21:00
Troubled student Zamani’s (Zamani Mbatha) drug-dealing ways are impacting his family life. He has new enemies and on Wednesday 24 May, his irresponsible father Johannes (Mandla Shongwe) finds a packet of marijuana stashed in the ceiling and “it’s trouble! Johannes wants to get to the bottom of this – but he doesn’t suspect his son,” says Zamani, whose character’s partnered with his sister Mpumi ( Yolisa Cele). “Johannes doesn’t think that his kids are guilty,” says Zamani. Instead, he attacks Zamani’s pal Gadget (Mfundo Thabethe) and “Gadget confesses that he’s been working with Mpumi and Zamani selling weed, which causes Johannes to lose control,” says Zamani.
OLD HABITS
Johannes wants to get his kids out of the dark world on Monday 29 May and he tries to convince them to stop. “But Zamani doesn’t want to. It’s an easy way to get money and he doesn’t want to be controlled by his dad,” explains Zamani. Johannes’s son has been running from his family issues since he went to study in Joburg but they keep getting worse. Zamani’s a family guy and took over the family responsibilities when Johannes became a drunk. “Johannes blames himself for his kids’ dealings and burns the weed. While they love him, the kids resent Johannes for abandoning them. Burning their stash isn’t going to solve their issues,” explains Zamani. In fact, it’s making it worse – Johannes is drinking heavily again on Tuesday 30 May. “It’s disapointing to Zamani, but he clings to the hope that he’ll one day have a stronger dad. But for right now, Johannes keeps letting them down.”
HELP ON THE WAY
With Zamani’s weed gone, he turns to his cousin Ali ( Tiisetso Thoka) on Wednesday 31 May for more. “They are in a tight spot, but Ali promises to get Zamani money for when the drug suppliers come calling for their cash.” Zamani adds that “Ali is the one piece of home that he holds close and they’re always there for each other”. Zamani now realises what Johannes has done to him and it infuriates him. “His father has ruined his life once again,” explains Zamani, saying that his character “now wants nothing to do with his dad until he cools down, otherwise he’ll tell him where to get off. Before that happens, Zamani needs to fix this problem”.