Losing at love
Karma strikes when Mangi dumps Lelo for Elizabeth.
Skeem Saam Weekdays SABC1 (*191) 18:30
Amanda du-Pont’s character has been manipulating people for so long that she should be called Lelo The Liar. And no one is safe – not even babydaddy Mangaliso (Bongani Masondo). On Thursday 2 March, Lelo learns that Mangaliso’s made plans to meet up with his ex- girlfriend Elizabeth (Amanda Manku) and Amanda du-Pont says that “Lelo is fuming!” She realises she doesn’t stand a chance against drama-free Elizabeth and the only way to stop them from meeting is to lock Mangaliso in their apartment.
The incident turns into a fight on Friday 3 March and Mangaliso lashes out and says that Elizabeth, whom he dumped in December last year for Lelo, will always be around. “She hates that Mangaliso’s still in love with Elizabeth,” says Amanda. “So she wants to keep the exes apart at whatever cost.”
MS MANIPULATION
Lelo knows that Mangaliso’s one weak spot is his daughter Nosi (Mbalenhle Tabu); he’ll do anything for her and to ensure his continued presence in her life. Lelo takes advantage of this vulnerability on Monday 6 March when she threatens to take Nosi away from Mangaliso, to her aunt’s house in Matsulu. She’s dead serious but he isn’t falling for what he thinks are her old tricks. But then on Tuesday 7 March, Lelo’s parole officer Thenjiwe (Nomsa Sonqishe) arrives with forms that need signing to give Lelo permission to leave town for a while and Mangaliso realises that she might just make good on her threats. The thought of losing his little girl terrifies Mangaliso and he plays into Lelo’s hands as she’d hoped. As much as he still loves Elizabeth, he’d rather make things somehow work with Lelo and keep his daughter close by, “even though he’s clearly miserable with her,” Amanda explains.
WINNER TAKES ALL
Mangaliso is willing to compromise for the sake of keeping his daughter close, but Elizabeth isn’t just going to accept the current state of affairs. On Friday 10 March she meets up with Mangaliso and confronts Lelo for ruining their relationship. Accusations start flying – of Lelo drugging Elizabeth in the hopes of securing Mangaliso for herself in October last year, “but Lelo denies it,” Amanda says. “She tells Elizabeth that there is no proof and kicks her out.” There might be no proof, as Lelo claims, but the confrontation reminds Mangaliso of Lelo’s wily ways and he’s glad to be rid of her… for now.