Make me a baby!

Zandile wants Lelo to be her marriage-saving surrogate.

Lelo (inset) doesn’t know what to say to Zandile’s offer. Weekdays SABC1 (*191) 18:30

It’s a difficult pill to swallow for Zandile (Matshepo Malema) that her ovarian cancer has spread. All she’s ever wanted was a family with her businessman husband Lehasa (Cedric Fourie), but time isn’t on her side, says Matshepo. “Zandile’s doctors have told her that she has months to live. She wants to leave Lehasa with a baby before she dies, but that seems an impossible mission as she doesn’t know anyone in town ‘ to do the job’,” adds the actress. While adoption is an option, it’s too long, so Zandile comes up with a shortcut on Friday 5 January: she asks troubled single-mom Lelo (Amanda du-Pont) to carry their baby. “Lelo is stunned! She doesn’t say a word but Zandile is trying to convince her that it a good plan. Zandile has seen Lelo with her daughter Nosi (Mbalenhle Tabu) and believes that Lelo is the perfect candidate to make her dying wish come true,” Matshepo explains. But it will come at a price!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

According to Zandile, her hubby owes her. She forgave his affair with his ex-business partner Sonti (Pearl Monama) and it’s his turn to return the kindness – by paying his nemesis Lelo to be their surrogate. “Having a child is a big deal for Zandile. She is pulling out all the stops to get this done,” says Matshepo – and the idea leaves a bitter taste in Lehasa’s mouth on Tuesday 9 January. “His jaw drops. He doesn’t want Lelo to be a part of their baby-making business,” explains Matshepo. “Lehasa is a private man. He doesn’t want people knowing that Zandile and he are struggling to have a baby, but he agrees to keep the peace in their already-shaky marriage.”

PEAS IN A POD

Lehasa has no idea what his wife is up to. And it’s not just medical bills Lehasa is going to be paying – Zandile throws in a new apartment and a box full of cash to get Lelo to agree on Tuesday 9 January. “She’s onboard,” explains Matshepo. “Zandile has done everything under the sun and she’s getting her baby!” But the moment of excitement ruins the baby plan when Lelo tells her pal Cindy (Phophi Mudau) on Thursday 11 January that Mr and Mrs Maphosa are paying her to carry their baby. The news travels fast and that’s something secretive Lehasa isn’t keen on. “He would rather have a bad marriage than people knowing his issues,” reveals Matshepo. “But Zandile has tricks up her sleeve and will get her baby, whether Lehasa wants in or not.”