Settling the debt
Nox makes a return to crime in the hope of rescuing her sister Lungile from her kidnappers.
It’s only been a month since DiepCity started and car mechanic ex-convict Nox (Nozuko Ncayiyane) hasn’t been able to catch a break. Her workshop has been raided by thugs stealing her equipment, and her family’s personal dramas have drained her. “She’s faced with one hurdle after the other. It’s a surprise that she’s still standing,” says Nozuko, whose character is hit with yet another obstacle this fortnight.
Nox learns that her teenage sister Lungile (Luyanda Shezi) is being held hostage by their mom Zandile’s (Dawn Thandeka King) loanshark because Zandile didn’t pay her debt of R65 000. “Nox returns to crime to settle Zandile’s loan and free Lungile. It’s the least she could do after all the trouble she’s put her family through,” explains Nozuko. Despite the risks, Nox and her gang plan to rescue Lungile, but their scheme falls flat – badly.
ROOM TO START OVER
A part of Nox secretly hopes that saving Lungile will serve as a truce in her long-standing feud with her mother. “Zandile resented Nox from birth but it took a tragic incident five years ago for the mother to completely despise her daughter,” explains Nozuko. Nox and her all-female gang were carrying out a housebreaking and soon after getting into the house, they realised that
Nox’s little brother Sibusiso (Tshiamo Molobi, Lefa, 2019 on Rhythm City, 2007now, see p29) followed them. As the gang and Sibusiso were about to leave the crime scene, the homeowners fired shots that killed the boy and Nox was arrested. “Her family wouldn’t survive another death. So Nox is desperate to earn Zandile’s forgiveness by saving Lungile,” says Nozuko.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
Nox and her gang embark on their quest “but things take an ugly turn, resulting in a death,” reveals Nozuko. We’re sworn to secrecy about what goes down during the rescue, but we can confirm one thing: Lungile’s safe return. Nox is relieved but “it’s just the beginning of her problems because blood has been spilt and she’s at the centre of the storm,” says the actress.
What’s worse is that before Nox and Zandile can bury the hatchet, a mystery man arrives at the Jele home, ordering the mother to pay off her debt. “Nox vows to protect Zandile and Lungile at all costs, but it won’t be as easy when this mysterious stranger stalks their every move and harasses the family,” explains Nozuko. Who this man is and what lengths he’s going to go to to get money from Zandile is still to be seen, but we can tell you this: Nox’s life is far from safe with him around.
PREVIOUSLY
Lungile went missing and Zandile didn’t tell anyone why, and Baqede’s business gets a new look. Zandile realises that she’s still got to pay back the money, and ex-convict Nox faces a bleak future thanks to Mgedeza.
5 – 7 MAY
Nox is stunned to learn upsetting news about her mom Zandile, and Lerato is determined to get out of Diepsloot, but it’s going to take an increased effort to accomplish. Nox realises that Lerato’s plan is filled with pitfalls but Lerato isn’t listening, and there’s good news for crimelord Mgedeza. The police discover a severed finger and it leads them to a far bigger problem, and Lerato has a makeover.
10 – 14 MAY
Nox discovers that getting rid of Jomo is a lot harder than she’d expected, and Zandile has her back to the wall when Nobarbwire comes looking for payment. Zandile has lost her job but her kids are trying to help her in their own way, and Lerato and Hamilton declare war on each other. Mgedeza plays his trump card to force the gang of criminals to break one of their cardinal rules, and Lerato has a plan to betray Hamilton, but he’s onto her scheme. Mgedeza has a horrible new order for Nox to fulfil and there’s nothing she can do about it, and Zandile discovers that she has been betrayed and she comes ready for a fight with Nobarbwire. Lerato is caught in a tight spot, and someone wants to be a mom.
17 – 18 MAY
Nobarbwire goes to new extremes to get payback against Zandile, and Nox and Herbert have a connection regarding something they both love.
CAST: Asanda Zikhona Bali •Baqede Bheki Ngiba •Bonga Jele Hamilton Dlamini •Hamilton Abe Pupunyane •Herbert Akhona Ndlovu •Jomo Thabang Mphahlele •Lerato Kgaogelo Monama •Lungile Luyanda
Shezi •Maureen Vele Manenje •Mgedeza (Elliot) Mduduzi Mabasa
•Nobarbwire Yokokazi Noruwana •Nox Jele Nozuko Ncayiyane •Ringo Obed Baloyi •Sibusiso Tshiamo Molobi •Sne Nompumelelo Vilakazi
•Zandile Jele Dawn Thandeka King