The root of all evil
What is R250 000 really worth – and what will it cost? By the look of things in Guilt, it’s a whole lot of drama!
Guilt Season 1 Wednesdays (from 28 February) SABC2 (*192) 21:30
Four neighbours are driving home together along an abandoned road one night when they come across a scene of death that could solve all their problems in new SABC2 drama series Guilt (2018- current). A dead man’s bag containing R1 million in cash would let Zimbabwean housemaid Consolation (Tendaiishe Chitima) save her sick mother. Music producer Thapelo (Tumi “Miza” Modibedi) could launch his album and pay back the money he stole from his dad after a stint in jail. Taxi driver Phenyo (Mlindelwa Mahlangu) could get back all the lobola money that he lost in a pyramid scheme. And Emily (Khutjo Green) could boost her shebeen business. But as Tendaiishe explains, there’s no such thing as money for nothing…
DESPERATION
Like her co- conspirators, Consolation is in a desperate position. She is battling harassment from a corrupt cop who picks up the trail of the missing money in episode 2 (on 7 March). “She has bribed him because he keeps harassing her about her papers. She is an illegal immigrant because her study permit has expired. She isn’t at school because her money ran out. She needs to stay in SA to make money for her mother’s medical bills. She is in the middle of a lot of issues and bribery has unfortunately become necessary, even though she doesn’t condone it,” says Zimbabwean-born Tendaiishe.
TROUBLE & TRUST
That desperation for money is the keystone of the trust between the four money grabbers. But it will also be supported by the bonds that they already have. “They are people that Consolation has been able to confide in about her life and her family back home,” reveals Tendaiishe. “Consolation lives with Emily. It’s a mother- daughter relationship but Emily is also a friend. Emily runs the shebeen and Consolation always sees Phenyo at the shebeen or at community events or church events.” Of her three fellow conspirators, Consolation trusts Thapelo the least. “He has had a bit of a history of letting people down and at the beginning, she has her guard up even though he’s one of the people that she’s closest to,” Tendaiishe explains.
WHOSE MONEY?
But the foursome are in for the shock of their lives when they realise – to their shame – where the money really comes from in episode 4 (on 21 March). Consolation is devastated. “Guilt, guilt, guilt! She is almost sick with guilt and she regrets being part of the whole thing,” exclaims Tendaiishe. “I really related to that because Consolation has high standards, but life pushed her to do something that she wouldn’t in any other situation. You have to dig deep within yourself and then take the consequences of your actions .”
THE PRICE OF LOVE
The isolating burden of guilt will drive Consolation into Thapelo’s arms. “He is at the forefront of taking this money and she’s quite angry with him for doing something she doesn’t agree with. But they are in a secretive, closed group of people who’re hanging on to each other. And when the community turns against them, all they will have is each other,” says Tendaiishe. That is until the money that brings them together also breaks them apart. “Her story is a bit complicated because she refuses for a long time – but when she is at her most desperate, she actually steals from Thapelo,” hints Tendaiishe.