The big letter D
Lehasa’s troubles aren’t going away anytime soon when his secret wife Zandile sends divorce papers
Skeem Saam Weekdays SABC1 (*191) 18:30
If there’s one person who rises above any situation, it’s shady businessman Lehasa Maphosa (Cedric Fourie). He’s built his considerable wealth by stealing struggling companies and turning them into household names and he keeps on blindsiding people to get to whatever he wants. But every dog has its day and Lehasa’s day of reckoning has arrived on Friday 17 November, thanks to a secret he’s tried to keep undercovers.
“Lehasa is sent divorce papers!” says Cedric. Yes – the shifty character is far more cunning than anyone has given him credit and he’s kept his wife Zandile (Matshepo Maleme) away from his Joburg life. But she’s had enough and makes it clear in the divorce document that she wants nothing to do with him. “Lehasa doesn’t see this coming. He starts crying and it’s so awkward for everyone around him as they know him as this no-nonsense guy who doesn’t let anything get to him,” explains the actor. “They don’t know what to do with him. It’s hilarious.”
HOLDING ON
Lehasa’s domestic drama is the last thing he needs right now. He’s busy closing important business deals but he loses focus on Friday 17 November, along with his temper. “We see this side that we didn’t think exists. As common as a divorce document is, Lehasa overreacts to it,” says Cedric. And because he doesn’t have any friends, Lehasa keeps the news to himself, which hurts him even more. “The couple actually have a lot in common. Lehasa and Zandile are hardworking and passionate about their fields. She’s a famous painter and made her name overseas. Because they’ve been together for so long, Lehasa doesn’t think that he’ll get anyone better,” adds Cedric.
I’M LEAVING
Lehasa isn’t feeling any more optimistic on Monday 20 November and his jumpy behaviour is being noticed by the wrong people. “Thing is, everyone has a weakness and Lehasa’s is Zandile,” explains Cedric. Lehasa basically shuts down from everything to figure out the future with his wife. Like the control freak that he is, Lehasa hates not being able to have power over every little thing that happens in his life and the actor adds that “Zandile is his high school sweetheart. Lehasa doesn’t see a life without her and because she is fighting cancer, she’s been travelling around the world meeting different oncologists. Lehasa’s work ethic is also driven by her illness because he wants the best treatment for her, but it seems like she has no interest in anything he wants to do for her. It’s time to end the marriage as far as she goes.”
DEAL WITH IT!
When it rains, it pours – Zandile arrives on Tuesday 21 November and while she is willing to answer Lehasa’s questions, she isn’t changing her mind. “The cancer has become part of her life. Zandile believes that she’s a burden to Lehasa. She wants the best for him and thinks that he should be with someone in good health,” explains Cedric. But Lehasa has had his fair share of dating different women while Zandile was travelling. He made his stop in Turfloop in December 2016 and got into a romantic relationship with naïve Sonti (Pearl Maimela). He ended that relationship by stealing her family nut business but Cedric reminds viewers: “Lehasa is a ruthless businessman but he is still human. He loves Zandile but this is one deal he can’t close.”