From scalpel to altar?
Siya gets the opportunity to swap trades, going from medicine to the pages of the bible as a pastor.
It’s taken some time but it appears that ex-doctor Siya Thuli (Gantane Kusch) has found peace. If he hadn’t pleaded guilty in February this year to the murder of his rapist Denver (Marlon Swarts), Siya wouldn’t have been able to live with his conscience, and he would’ve been on a path of self-destruction says Gantane. “Siya also addressed his drinking problem and is trying to get his life back on track,” adds Gantane.
The biggest obstacle currently plaguing Siya is money. But before he can address it, another opportunity comes his way and it may just be Siya’s calling…
PEW POSSIBILITIES
“Because Siya is no longer a doctor, his income has disappeared,” says Gantane, explaining that his character is earning a pittance at the moment working for the church, albeit honest work that is healing his heart. While Siya is working diligently, there’s a problem: his boss Mr Pienaar (André Jacobs, Spook in drama series Vloeksteen 2012-2013). “Mr Pienaar is cynical and there’s something he doesn’t like about Siya: his girlfriend,” says Gantane.
Siya and his girlfriend Danni (Vashti Prins) live together and Siya taking on a second job worries Danni. “She is afraid they will never see each other and extra pressure may lead to Siya turning to the bottle again,” says Vashti. But asking Mr Pienaar for a raise turns into a fight when Mr Pienaar cites Siya living with Danni as against policy. “It catches Siya offguard, because he never thought his relationship was an issue that would affect his involvement with the church,” says Gantane. “His boss presents him with a choice: the church or Danni.”
A MATTER FOR THE CLOTH
Revealing the situation to Danni, Siya admits that he’s ready to resign, but his girlfriend stops him. “Danni offers a solution. They can live in separate rooms at Chris’s (Marcel van der Merwe) house. “Danni can see what a good influence Siya’s involvement with the church has had on him, she thinks that he’ll be making a huge mistake if he ends his activities there,” adds Vashti.
Shortly thereafter, the church pastor (offscreen) falls ill and Gantane reveals that “Siya wants to help and he takes control of the church in the pastor’s absence, organising and leading a special service.” Church elder Mrs J (Theresa Sedras) is impressed and proposes that Siya takes over until their pastor recovers and it takes Siya by surprise. “Never did he think he would be a church leader, but this might be his saving grace… if Mr Pienaar and the church board approve the appointment.