Laying down the law
Mapula’s work is ruined by her co-worker: her shady ex-lover.
After weeks of job hunting, varsity student Mapula (Mapula Mafole) was recently hired as an assistant at 9-Nine radio station. In just days, she goes from answering phones to sitting in on meetings and assisting managing director Ziyanda (Linda Sokhulu). “Because Mapula is diligent and eager to learn the ropes, Ziyanda grows fond of her. Soon they develop a tight-knit bond,” explains Mapula the actress.
With Mapula settling into her new role, she’s gobsmacked when she learns that her conniving sugardaddy ex Gift (Nyaniso Dzedze, Luzuko since 2020 on soap Generations, 2014now, see p24) is a potential investor at the radio station. This means they’ll be working closely together, turning Mapula’s nightmare into a reality. “She tries to keep her distance from Gift, but there is no way to avoid him, and he is hell-bent on causing considerable discomfort at work,” adds the actress.
TURNING A BLIND EYE
Considering that Ziyanda has created an open work environment, Mapula should be confident enough to express her reservations about Gift without the fear of losing her job. “But the varsity student is in for another surprise when she learns that Ziyanda and Gift are dating, which forces her into silence,” says Mapula the actress. Complicating things, Mapula didn’t disclose her relationship with Gift which ended in May last year. She’s afraid that if she mentions his vicious behaviour now, her boss might think that she’s a jealous ex who’s desperate for attention, says the actress. “At this point, she’d rather tolerate Gift’s demeaning comments and awkward stares than lose her job.” But Mapula quickly changes her tune following an upsetting incident.
BLOWING THE WHISTLE
Gift makes his intention clear during a meeting by grabbing Mapula’s thigh when no one is looking. “His conduct suggests that he still feels entitled to Mapula like when he used his money to control her. Gift wants to prove that, like before, he has a hold on her by touching her without her consent,” says Mapula, whose character keeps her composure until the meeting ends. “She is a mixture of emotions. Mapula doesn’t tell Ziyanda right away, but after careful consideration, she’s compelled to take measures against Gift,” says Mapula. She lodges a complaint of sexual harassment at the office.
Gift is a step ahead and already has Ziyanda on his side when the complaint comes to light. “But Mapula will stick to her guns. She won’t surrender until justice is served this time,” says Mapula.
Pastor Makoro told Pearl about his plan to cheat and steal from the people of Diepkloof, and Mapula was hired as a personal assistant at 9-Nine radio station.
24 – 26 FEBRUARY
Suffocate learns that Pastor Makoro and Pearl are planning to betray the community, and Gift takes Ziyanda out on a date. Khulekani tries to expose evil Pastor Makoro, Gift is under the impression that his ex-girlfriend Mapula still has feelings for him, and Khulekani and Suffo put their differences aside to attack Makoro.
1 – 5 MARCH
A desperate Pastor Makoro proposes another shady deal to buy Khulekani’s silence, and an offer from Gift leaves a bitter taste in Mapula’s mouth. Puleng and Nandi help Suffo destroy Pastor Makoro’s schemes, Gift drags Mapula’s reputation through the mud, and Blossom is told that her church choir is going through to the talent show semi-finals. Pule breaks into Pastor Makoro’s office, Gift’s true colours are revealed, and Kea is fired at the salon.
8 – 9 MARCH
Kea announces that she’s taking a gap year, Sindiswa encourages Mapula to take action against Gift, and Pearl eavesdrops on Pastor Makoro and Deaconess Sonto.
CAST: Advocate Maponya Getmore Sithole •Amanhle Cebile Hlatshwayo •Banele Oros Mampofu •Blossom Khuse Slindile Nodangala
•Busi Thabo Ntshubela •Candy Johanna Difile Molotsi •Chicken Nelson Ntombela •Constance Mokokobale Makgopa •Cuba Magi Noninzi Williams •David Jamie Bartlett •Deaconess Sonto Limakatso Mokhiti •Detective Madikgetla Lerato Moloi •Dikeledi Reshoketswe Kekana •Dumisani Siyabonga Mtshali •Emmanuel Nkosi Cengani
•Fats Tselapedi Mpho Molepo •Hammer Abraham Abe Pupunyane
•Hlompho Sello Motloung •Gail Pam Andrews •Gift Nyaniso Dzedze
•Jafta Nakumba Sandile Dlamini •Jamaica Mzamo Gcabashe
•Jonas Charles Baloyi •Kea (Keabetswe) Kamogelo Molatlhoe
•Khulekani Ngobese Mncedisi Shabangu •Kop Khuse Setlhabi Taunyane •Lefa Tshiamo Molobi •Lerato Samkelo Ndlovu •Lerumo Khotso Nkhatho •Machiliza Sannah Mcunu •Mampho Nakumba Itumeleng Bokaba •Mandlakhe Menzi Brighton Biyela •Mapula Mapula Mafole •Mkhushulwa Jacob Ntshangase •Musa Thabiso Mokhethi
•Mr Murray Anthony Coleman •Mose Mpho Sebeng •Mzi Ndlovu Jesse Suntele •Nandi Ngobese Nompilo Gwala •Nqobi Khwezi
Ntsika Mbabela •Palesa Hloni Padi •Pastor Makoro Kabelo Moalusi
•Pearl Genaro Petronella Tshuma •Pinkies Cebile Mlaba •Pule Zamani Mbatha •Puleng Mofokeng Tebogo Khalo •Quinton Cidjey Andrews •Reneilwe Khuse Amogelang Chidi •Sabelo Ishmauel Songo
•Sindiswa Mbalenhle Zakwe •Stixx Matshosa Joseph Sedibo •Suffo (Suffocate) Ndlovu Mduduzi Mabaso •Vukile Baxolise Mfidi •Zak Bohlokwa Mpiti •Zinhle Ngobese Kealeboga Masango •Ziyanda Linda Sokhulu •Zolani Melusi Mbele