The narrow escape
You’re invited to Lindelani and Mbali’s secret wedding. But will they eventually say their “I do’s?”
To describe charming surgeon and widower Lindelani Zulu’s (Mike Ndlangamandla) affair with his colleague and medical intern Mbali Mthethwa (Nelisiwe Sibiya) as catastrophic and complicated is an understatement. That’s because she’s already engaged to possessive businessman Sibusiso Dlamini (Ntando Mncube).
Worst of all, Mbali and Lindelani continue to have sex behind Sibusiso’s back, and the aggressive Sibusiso is still under the impression that his fiancée is a virgin. “There’s nothing more that Mbali would like than to dump Sibusiso and begin her life with Lindelani,” explains Mike. But she feels obligated to marry Sibusiso as his parents took Mbali in following her mother’s offscreen death. “The Dlaminis put her through medical school and for that fact, she feels indebted to Sibusiso and his family,” adds the actor.
Seeing that Mbali has stronger feelings for Lindelani, he devises a plot to ensure that no one comes between his bond with her – not even the Dlaminis. “Lindelani gets down on one knee and proposes. Luckily, Mbali accepts,” says Mike. And that’s not all. “They’re set on eloping, and when Sibusiso and his family ask any questions, the newlyweds will show them their marriage certificate. Sibusiso and the Dlaminis will never bother Mbali and Lindelani again, and the couple will live happily ever after,” adds Mike. But only if their plans go accordingly…
THE RUNAWAY BRIDE
To guarantee that the secret wedding will proceed without interruption from the Dlaminis, Mbali continues dating
Sibusiso while planning her upcoming nuptials with Lindelani. She’s afraid that if she calls off their engagement now, he’ll ruin her ceremony with Lindelani, explains Mike. “There’s no telling whether Sibusiso will inform his parents and convince Mbali not to marry Lindelani. Or if he’ll stop her from walking down the aisle all together,” explains Mike.
In fairness, Mbali should be worried about Sibusiso unearthing her betrayal, mainly because of his temper. After he learnt that Mbali kissed Lindelani in December last year, Sibusiso blew his fuse. Rather than taking the high road or discussing the matter with Mbali, he physically attacked Lindelani and days later, he shot Lindelani at the hospital with bystanders watching. “If he was willing to pull the trigger for Lindelani kissing Mbali, who knows what he’ll do when he learns that they’ve blindsided him and that they’re getting married?”
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Mbali and Lindelani are careful enough to get to their wedding venue without Sibusiso suspecting anything. But the rest of the day isn’t without drama. “Their ceremony is small and it’s just them at the beach, overlooking the ocean. In essence, it’s everything that Mbali and Lindelani have dreamt of. They’re thrilled to get married, even if it’s without family and friends,” says Mike, adding that the shotgun wedding is Lindelani’s second chance at happiness. “Lindelani genuinely cares about Mbali, and he believes that they are meant for each other. He hasn’t felt like this for any other woman than his late wife. He can’t wait to build a home with Mbali,” adds the actor.
But as Mbali is about to recite her vows, she suffers a health scare that threatens to destroy the wedding. “Without revealing too much, I’ll tell you that Mbali and Lindelani will have to climb an uphill battle before tying the knot. What’s more is that Sibusiso is still in the picture and he is willing to go to war in order to marry Mbali first,” says Mike. Let the race to the altar begin, as soon as the bride is healthy enough to marry one of her grooms…
PREVIOUSLY
Mbali’s love life stressed her out, MaCele had a secret admirer, and Durban Gen launched an investigation into the dead baby. Mbali agreed to marry Lindelani, and Bab’Gumede’s jealousy took over when MaCele had a love interest.
10 – 12 FEBRUARY
Mbali thinks that she’s found the perfect new girlfriend for Sibusiso, leaving her free to marry Lindelani. Phumeza suffers a fainting spell, and Bab’Gumede thinks that he’s going crazy after he witnesses something. Lindelani tries to make sure that there are no interruptions to his big day with his new fiancée Mbali, and Phumeza tries to help a distraught and confused patient. Mbali falls seriously ill, and Bab’Gumede makes it clear that he won’t be beaten by a rival.
15 – 19 FEBRUARY
Nkabinde steps in to clean up the mess that Phumeza has made, and Mbali discovers why she is feeling unwell. MacGyver refuses to help Bab’Gumede out of a new problem situation, and Mbali collapses. Zinhle’s life is in danger after she makes a serious error of judgement, and Nomalanga uncovers Matron Nkabinde’s agenda. Sne is all too happy to play matchmaker in the corridors of Durban Gen, whether her “clients” want her to or not. Mbali is visibly upset as she walks out of the hospital and she tries to make Lindelani leave her alone. Elsewhere at Durban Gen, surgeon Thabo sizes up the most important patient and procedure of his career.
22 – 23 FEBRUARY
A new patient has two doctors at odds with each other, and a medical rep tries to convince the doctors to try her products.
CAST: Bab’Gumede Sifiso Sibiya •Bab’Mzobe Eric Hadebe •Calvin Bhekisizwe Mahlawe •Lindelani Zulu Mike Ndlangamandla •MaCele Monica Thuli Zulu •MacGyver Mxolisi Zulu Boy Majozi •MaMkhize Bongekile Ndaba Matron Nobuhle Nkabinde Zimiphi Biyela •Mbali Mthethwa Nelisiwe Sibiya •Mnqobi Mchunu Fanele Zulu •Mr Ndlovu Bheki Sibiya ••Nomalanga Qwabe Duduzile Ngcobo •Phumeza Tsidi Makitle •Precious Dlamini Lihle Dhlomo •Sibusiso Dlamini Ntando Mncube •Sne Nombulelo Mhlongo •Thandekile Zondo Fanele Luthuli •Thandeka Zondo Fanele Luthuli •Thabo Meshack Mavuso •Zinhle (Ndabezinhle) Luthuli Lerato Nxumalo