Don’t hurt me no more
Seipati’s ex has managed to track her down and he wants to reconnect. And it’s too bad if she’s not interested.
Many people have walked the streets of Newtown over the years. Some chasing money, others hoping to find love. But in rare instances, an individual is searching for peace – Seipati (Nolo Seabi) is one of them. When she arrived in August 2020, it was clear that Seipati had fled a traumatic past: an abusive man named Bohang (Thabo Malema). “She decided to flee for her life,” says Nolo of her character’s journey to freedom. “She eventually had enough money to catch a taxi and leave that monster.”
BAD BOSS
Bohang crushed his ex’s tranquil new life by arriving in January. “More than anything, Seipati is shaken and fearful. She was certain he wouldn’t find her,” explains Nolo. To add insult to injury, Bohang was recently appointed as new police captain, the boss of Seipati’s cop-buddy Lerumo (Tshepo Mosese). Their blossoming romance doesn’t stand a chance, because Bohang will never let anyone else have Seipati.
CLEAR THE WAY
Lerumo and Seipati have grown closer in recent months, with Seipati allowing herself to trust again. “Lerumo has helped her and she appreciates that,” adds Nolo. But that trust is on the brink of becoming something more romantic, and Bohang takes notice. Determined to reclaim Seipati, Bohang sends his junior officer on a month-long course and according to Nolo, Lerumo doesn’t question his boss’s intentions. “Lerumo sees it as a great opportunity to grow as a police officer,” adds the actress
With Lerumo away, Seipati is left to fend for herself as Bohang makes sure that he bumps into her around town. “Bohang tries to convince her that he’s a changed man and he can manage his anger issues after getting counselling,” says Nolo. Realising that his smoothtalking won’t work, Bohang resorts to more sinister methods. “He uses verbal abuse, blackmail, gaslighting,” explains Nolo. But Seipati has grown stronger since she escaped Bohang the first time and she’s had enough of him…
SMASH ’N GRAB
With gender-based violence top of mind for many South Africans, Nolo says that this story arc was especially difficult for her. “It’s shaken me and it’s made my fear for our safety as women.” But she adds that it was also eye-opening. “I understand more why women never want to report abuse and the trauma it causes. I’m more aware of how abuse starts and what it really looks like.”
PREVIOUSLY
Xolile grew more suspicious of Aya and her stories, Dintle and Amo set rules for their hookups, and Boniswa was turning family against each other to ensure she got her way.
10 – 12 FEBRUARY
Boniswa is willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants, Dintle does something she promised she’d never do, and Tebello is stunned by his discovery. Mr Mamba is trying to outwit his interrogator, Amo just can’t get enough of a bad thing, and Simo tries his luck with Aya but the situation implodes.
15 – 19 FEBRUARY
Boniswa and Aya’s relationship puts Simo in a sticky situation, Hlengiwe turns to a co-worker for relationship advice, and Mr Mamba has lost control of his daughter. While one woman accuses Amo, another is ready to support him, and Boniswa has to think quickly as the vultures close in. Tebello tries to protect his mom, and Stokkies connects the dots. Layla sees something that leaves her puzzled, and Boniswa comes up with several daring plans.
22 – 23 FEBRUARY
Boniswa undergoes an eerie transformation, Dintle realises that her secret is out, and Layla’s predictions are becoming all too real.
CAST: Amo Kagiso Rathebe •Aya Ayanda Brandy Nzimande •Bohang Thabo Malema •Bongi Nokulunga Nomfundo Khumalo •Boniswa Lusanda Mbane •Caiphus Michael Mabizela •Cee-Jay Thulani Hlatshwayo •Chevonne Schelaine Bennett •Chumani Langa Ayanda Daweti •Damon Bradbury Craig Urbani •Dintle Setuke Mapaseka Koetle •Dr Jameson Karin van der Laag •Gloria Legae Marjorie Langa •Grace Medupe Bathabile Mashigo •Hlengiwe Twala Nqobile Khumalo •Ingrid Thompson Stephanie Sandows •Javas Thapelo Aphiri •Judith Tumi Maretele •Kabza Buhle Nhlapo •Kgosi Legae Given Stuurman •Khanyi Jewel Nyathi Kai-Ann Munyaka •Khutso Tlotliso Mabaleka •Layla McKenzie Natasha Sutherland •Lerumo Chabedi Tshepo Mosese •Lindiwe Ngema Nom-velo Makhanya •Loyiso Lloyd Rathebe •MaBetty Francina Maili Morake •Mary Mikateko Hlabangwane •Miss Zuki Felix Mlangeni •Mlungisi Ngema Patrick Mofokeng •Mr Mamba Simo Magwaza •Mthunzi Mayiza Bongile Mantsai •Nare Sekoati Tsubane •Ndumiso Ngcobo Andile Sithole •Neo Mokheti Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha •Omphile Ngema Botlhale Boikanyo •Phindile Pretty Ncayiyana •Pretty Millicent Makhado •Quinton Manqoba Nyathi Brighton Ngoma •Romeo Medupe Hungani Ndlovu •Sdi Tshepo Seagiso •Seipati Nolo Seabi •Sheila Nkosi Matshepo Maleme •Sihle Ngcobo Xolani Xaba •Simo Sandile Mahlangu •Stokkies (Vernon) Jacobs Wayne van Rooyen •Tebello Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane •Thembeka Shezi Masasa Mbangeni •Tim Charlie Bouguenon •Tshepo Bohang Moeko •Vincent Itumeleng Morobela •Violetta Mamba Cindy Mahlangu •Xoli (Xolile Langa) Sivenathi Mabuya •Yanga Xaba Dineo Rasedile •Yvonne Thebe/Maleeto Kgomotso Christopher •Zinzile Ngema Gcina Nkosi •Zorro Thato Mdakane