IN HIS BROTHER’S SHOES: SMANGA STEPS ON MAZWI’S HEELS
Smanga uses Mazwi’s meltdown as his foot in the door to controlling the Moroka business empire – but it won’t be easy.
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Businessman Mazwi (Musa Ngema) has had a rough ride over the past two years, going from settled at home and work, to confused, alone and on the outs with his family thanks to falling out with his “business- deal” wife Sphe (Pearl Monama). Mazwi’s fall from grace continues at work on Friday 3 August when he announces that he’s stepping down as CEO of Moroka family business Ezweni. He plays right into younger brother Smanga’s (Moopi Mothibeli) hands – he’s always been jealous of Mazwi and now he can prove that he is the right man to lead Ezweni… and the Moroka family. “He wants to put aside the fact that he slept with Sphe because that was the only way for her to fall pregnant, seeing as Mazwi is
infertile,” says Moopi. “The last thing that Smanga wanted to do was hurt his brother, but the family forced him into doing it.” Mazwi doesn’t see it that way – he has been lied to for two years about baby Rorisang (Dithoriso Mosaka) being his daughter. “Smanga is tired of the cycle of being used by the family elders. He was ordered to continue the family bloodline and it has cost him a brother. The elders see him as a seat filler and he wants to prove that he is more by claiming the kingdom for himself,” adds the actor.
SIBLING RIVALRY
“Before Mazwi came along, Smanga was groomed to be the leader of the Morokas. But then Smanga dropped a bombshell in the early 2000s, that he was the long-lost son of
Archie Moroka (Sello Maake Ka-Ncube), making him an instant heir,” says Moopi. Smanga “helps” Mazwi prove that he wants nothing to do with the family on Tuesday 7 August, convincing him that signing over his Ezweni shares to Smanga “will show them [the elders]”. “This is what Smanga was waiting for. If Mazwi goes through with this, the Moroka family would have to support Smanga as an uncontested clan leader,” explains Moopi. Mazwi is no fool and knows that Smanga is up to something. He’s just not sure what – and until then, he’s keeping his shares.
BABY BLUES
Rorisang is caught in the middle of the brothers’ war and that’s something the elders won’t tolerate – seeing as she is a blood Moroka, she needs to be protected. They ask Smanga to move out of the family house on Friday 10 August and Smanga is furious. “This isn’t fair. His daughter shouldn’t be dragged into this mess. Mazwi has moved out, so why should his daughter not have a father there?” asks Moopi. “He tries to do the right thing, proposing the idea to Sphe about being an active father figure. Mazwi is gone, the truth about her paternity is out there – why should he remain an uncle to his own flesh and blood?” Even with Mazwi out of the picture, the elders seem to be taking his side. That’s offensive to him, adds Moopi. “Smanga has stretched out and proven his loyalty when the family needed him most. The elders would rather keep someone who has willingly walked out of the family than him – and that really hurts.”