Where there’s smoke
Celia threatens to leave Alfred when he gets the family in financial trouble.
Skeem Saam Weekdays SABC1 (*191) 18:30
Turfloop’s deadbeat high-school teacher Alfred Magongwa’s (Putla Sehlapelo) has become the town’s laughing stock again. His expensive car that complements his fancy house has him drowning in debts on Wednesday 19 July. The bank has him cornered with his late payments and “there is nowhere in the world that Alfred is returning the car! He wants to impress everyone who has always looked down on him,” says Putla, whose character is hiding his financial woes from his loyal wife Celia (Shoki Sebotsana). “Celia is going to lose it! She has been warning Alfred about his excessive spending and he doesn’t want to hear the ‘I told you so’ comment when he tells her that they are running low on money,” adds Putla.
COUGH IT UP
Alfred is out of ideas about raising funds on Friday 21 July and his only option is to come clean to his family about his money mistake. “It’s difficult for Alfred to be in this position. They are disappointed in him and Celia tells him to make a plan – and fast,” says Putla. Alfred visits Celia’s ex-brother- in-law Charles (Masilo Magoro) on Monday 24 July to ask him to give back the money that Celia loaned him earlier this year to clear off his debts. “Charles gives him the run around, but Alfred is adamant: he wants his wife’s money back,” says Putla. Charles promises to give him the money as soon as possible and “it’s one less worry for Alfred. He knows that it will patch up wherever it can,” adds the actor.
LET’S TALK
It won’t patch the holes in Alfred’s marriage though while he waits for Charles to pay him on Tuesday 25 July. Celia calls a family meeting to ask her kids Rachel and Nimrod (Lesego Marakalla and Buhle Maseko) for their money that their late-dad Ben (Steven Mbedzi) left them for varsity. “It’s also not a lot of money but it will help out,” says Putla, but they refuse and tell Alfred to get himself out of his mess. “The kids have never respected broke Alfred and this makes it worse,” explains Putla, and Celia is tired of him too on Friday 28 July. She resents Alfred for putting their savings and all they’ve worked hard for on the line. “Celia wants to leave but she has already sold her old house. She’s got nowhere to go but to fix things with her irresponsible hubby,” suggests Putla.