BABY GAMES
Matshidiso “helps” Carol with a paternity test swap
At first they were enemies but now Carol and Matshidiso (Phuti Khomo and Buhle Samuels) have become close pals after Matshidiso paid Carol’s hospital bills on Wednesday 30 December. Carol trusts Matshidiso so much that she asks her new bestie to help swap her newborn’s paternity test results on Wednesday 6 January.
ULTERIOR MOTIVES
Matshidiso’s willing to help Carol, going as far as breaking into Dr Nthabeleng’s (Mona Monyane) office on Wednesday 6 January to find the tests. Matshidiso knows that by doing this, she’ll always have leverage over Carol and can’t be blackmailed again. “She knows that she will benefit in the end,” Buhle explains. “She’s just doing a favour for a ‘friend’ and buying time.” On Thursday 7 January, Carol visits Dr Nthabeleng to learn her child’s paternity and manipulate the results to her benefit.
WILL THE REAL DAD PLEASE STAND UP?
On Friday 8 January, Matshidiso delivers on her promise. However, Matshidiso also knows that if the Mojalefa men – potential dads Morapedi (Rantebeng Makapan) and his father Lerumo (John Morapama) – find out about what Carol has done, their lives will be ruined. Says Buhle, “It will tear the family apart.” On Wednesday 13 January, Matshidiso does the swapping and on Thursday 14 January, Morapedi and Lerumo are notified about who the baby’s father is.
THE TRUTH IS REVEALED
Even though the outcome might be in Carol’s favour, Matshidiso starts playing mindgames with Morapedi by telling him to demand a second DNA test on Monday 18 January. Things go from bad to worse for Carol and her life falls apart on Tuesday 19 January when the new test reveals the truth. “Carol’s life is hanging by a thread,” says Buhle, “and she doesn’t know what’s what. Carol is desperate.” Unfortunately, Matshidiso turns her back on her “friend” at this point, leaving Carol on her own again.