Chief in question
Azwindini’s got a new enemy and he’s not to be trifled with.
Muvhango Weekdays SABC2 (*192) 21:00
Farmer businessman Tendamudzimu (Nat Ramabulana) has big plans for Thathe and not just in terms of his crops. On Friday 23 June, Tenda starts sowing seeds of doubt around the village – he wants to see the traditional chieftancy system thrown out and he encourages everyone he meets to join his Chiefs Must Fall petition. “There’s going to be drama,” warns Gabriel Temudzani, who plays Thathe’s ruler Chief Azwindini.
BAD INTENTIONS
“Azwindini and Tenda have an extremely uncomfortable relationship,” says Gabriel. “The backstory is that Azwindini and ’s (Mahumela Mahuwa) son Mulondo (Ndamulelo Mbuwe) was born a twin. Mulondo’s twin was taken away at birth because in the
old times, twins were seen as taboo, a curse and not traditional.” The child, who was named Vhutshilo, was sent to hide in the same village that Tenda was living in or he would have been killed. Azwindini wasn’t privy to this information until recently, when someone in the village told him that his “other son” [ Vhutshilo] is in Thathe.
Azwindini puts two and two together and realises Tenda’s plan: taking Vhutshilo away from Thathe and his family with the promise of being a soccer star overseas. Tenda’s plan doesn’t work out he’s come prepared with plan B on Monday 26 June. “The Chief learns that his enemy has planned a petition and he’s going to used every secret and trick to make the chief look bad to his people,” explains Gabriel.
SHIP IS SINKING
What’s the quickest way to ruin reputations? Gossip – and that’s something that spreads like wildfire in a community like Thathe. “Wait until you hear these negative things that Tenda says about the chief,” says Gabriel. “Azwindini doesn’t like him and doesn’t trust him – and this proves why!” Tenda hosts a launch party for his farming business on Tuesday 27 June and puts up a wall when Azwindini tries to talk to him at the event. “Yes, we have a discussion but we end up fighting and arguing in front of the other guests,” says Gabriel. Looks like Tenda’s plan has worked – the men’s fight is front-page news on Wednesday 28 June, putting the Royal family under scrutiny.
PARTY IS OVER
It wouldn’t be an attack on Azwindini if his rival KK (Macdonald Ndou) wasn’t involved. Businessman KK prepares a strike at construction company MMC on Monday 3 July and Gabriel warns that “KK and Tenda are in this together. It’s a problem for Azwindini as KK wants the chief thrown out just as much as Tenda does”. KK is still furious that Azwindini refused to sell him land earlier this year, ruining KK’s big construction plans. But as Gabriel hints, “The Chief won’t go down without a fight. Remember that!”