Reined-in romance
JANUARY
Lalage continues hiding her post-traumatic stress disorder from her boss and co-workers, and Hendrik sees a way out of his love triangle mess at home. Majola digs into Gabriel’s past to get more dirt on the new mayor, Lincoln continues pressing his nemesis Nina’s buttons, and Wendy takes a gamble that will stop Hendrik from dumping her. Gabriel’s personal troubles are still getting in the way of his responsibilities as mayor, and Gatanga tries to talk Phindile out of attacking the Sibekos. On a lighter note, Cebisa and Obakeng are pleased for a change when their marijuana business booms.
FEBRUARY
Gabriel’s con-artist past makes frontpage news, and Lalage wants nothing to do with her sister Wendy. Phindile and Mpumi start off on the wrong foot thanks to a misunderstanding, and Lincoln extends a helping hand to his employee Lalage when her stress becomes too much after finding a hotel receipt belonging to her husband. Gabriel manages to turn the tables on Sechaba, while Cebisa doesn’t appreciate being pushed around by Obakeng. Lalage asks her daughter Anja not to take sides in her feud with Wendy, and Lincoln has his sights on Nina’s son Obakeng, ready to ruin his life as well. Hendrik returns home to Lalage and suggests that they renew their vows, and Lincoln hires a private investigator to follow Gabriel. The Lategans celebrate Hendrik and Lalage’s reunion ceremony, Makgorometsa gathers enough courage to ask Morongwa on a date, and Wendy smiles through the pain as she watches Lalage and Hendrik profess their love for each other.
MARCH
Nina’s return to The Deep is met with disbelief from Lincoln and he furiously plots her downfall for the last time. Former mayor Sechaba is a knight in shining armour but not for a damsel in distress; he saves his successor Gabriel from being fired. The situation in the Lategan home is seemingly better than ever but that doesn’t mean everyone is pleased with Lalage and Hendrik renewing their vows, and Lincoln is ready to crush everyone in his way if it means achieving his end goal: destroying Nina Zamdela forever. Obakeng meanwhile realises that being part of the Zamdela family is a dangerous job.