Trippy tales
Kidnappings, murders, illicit affairs, bewitchings and a host of new faces in a time leap – it’s all in a year’s work.
Muvhango’s 2018 was one of the wildest soapie rides on TV, celebrating their 3 000th episode on Thursday 29 March with a very unexpected and unprecedented jump 18 months into the future. When viewers tuned in, Thandaza (Sindi Dlathu) had died mysteriously from cancer after 20 years of troublemaking on the soap (Sindi joined Mzansi Magic soapie The River, see p31), James (Dingaan Mokebe) got married and the kingdom of Thathe was in line for a royal shakeup over the next year…
DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA
Wedding bells were ringing in January when Matodzi (Quibell Ramantswana) popped the question to Rendani (Innocentia Makapila) on Friday 12 January, while there was heartache for Imani (Zonke Mchunu) on Thursday 25 January when her baby daughter was grabbed at the shops and held for ransom. Livhuwani (Anzani Tshivase) was desperate for a baby and while her hubby Tenda (Nat Ramabulana) wasn’t willing, Azwindini (Gabriel Temudzani) was…
RIP
Death was swift for Thandaza despite actress Sindi’s two- decade stay on the soap – her husband Ranthomeng (Brian Temba) told her that she had terminal brain cancer on Monday 19 March and she was gone by Wednesday 28 March, ushering in a new era in Thathe.
A NEW DAWN
Viewers went to bed mourning Thandaza on 28 March but they were up in arms on Thursday 29 March after tuning in and being greeted by new faces and storylines – 18 months in the future. “We planned this whole thing well in advanced,” explained publicist Amanda Ngudle, squashing speculation that the change was linked to stalwart Sindi’s departure. “We felt that we owed our viewers a fresh scenery, new faces and new riveting storylines.”
“I DO”
The biggest change was that James wasn’t single anymore – fierce newcomer Moliehi had snatched up the bachelor and made him hers. Back in Venda, Mulalo replaced Tenda as mayor and Azwindini was ousted as chief of Thathe. Thandaza’s husband Ranthomeng was now married to her niece Imani, who he’d slept with in 2017. While Rantho cheating with his ex Buhle (Mmarona Motshegoa) was expected, viewers were speechless on Thursday 3 May when Meme (Tsholo Matshaba) returned to “take care” of her abusive ex KK (Macdonald Ndou) – Tsholo has since joined Mzansi Magic soap The Throne as Odirile (see p31).
KILLER TENDA
Still rivers run deep and Tenda was a raging rapid on Friday 27 July when he rolled out the last part of his plan for revenge. Having learnt that “his” daughter Ndiwanga (Gabrielle Taiwo) was Azwindini’s lovechild, Tenda forced the chief to write a suicide note and hang himself. Luckily, Azwindini’s wife Susan (Mahumela Mahuwa) found him and saved her husband on Monday 30 July, although this betrayal was the straw the broke the camel’s back and she left Thathe within days.
BEWITCHED
November was no better for Azwindini after courts proclaimed Mulalo (Sydney Ramakuela) chief. The responsibilities took their toll on Mulalo when the ancestors punished him on Tuesday 6 November and out of his mind, he almost murdered royal spiritual advisor Mulimisi (Humbulani Tsharani) for
casting spells on him.
WHAT WE WANT IN 2019
Given the time-hop in 2018, it would only be right visit the characters who left to find out what they’re up to in their new lives – apart from dead Thandaza. Although she could haunt Rantho for his sinning against his new wife. Azwindini too should learn the hard way that he has multiple wives and should leave other men’s wives alone. It’s not difficult, is it?