Bending over backwards
Nonka’s happily-ever-after with Phelelani is about to be ruined by the other women in his life: his gran and his mom.
With the new year also came a fresh start for salon assistant Nonka (Thuthuka Mthembu). Although it wasn’t an easy process, she divorced doctor-turnedgangster Sibonelo Mhlongo (Wiseman Mncube) in January. Not only that, Nonka recently enrolled at a local college to study business management, and she is dating good-guy law student Phelelani (Omega Mncube). “Unlike Sibonelo, who’d constantly drive Nonka up the wall by either putting her life in danger or forcing her into a polygamous marriage, Phelelani treats Nonka well. He is considerate of her feelings and makes her feel special,” explains Thuthuka.
Nonka reciprocates Phelelani’s feelings, and she hasn’t been as excited or happy for the future as when she’s with her beau. But his overprotective granny Mrs Nhlapho (newcomer Mary Ngcobo) is against their romance. The old woman is prepared to go all out to destroy the pair and “because Nonka is a divorcée, Mrs Nhlapho believes that the salon assistant is bad news,” adds Thuthuka. When Phelelani refuses to dump Nonka, Mrs Nhlapho calls in reinforcements.
NO STONE UNTURNED
Mrs Nhlapho doesn’t waste time contacting Phelelani’s mom Wenzile (Enhle Mbali Maphumulo, Lindi in drama series Rockville, 2013-2016), who arrives to rip her son from Nonka’s clutches. “They don’t trust Nonka’s intentions,” explains Thuthuka, adding that Wenzile and Mrs Nhlapho have their minds made up about Nonka’s character as she was married into the Xabas, KwaMashu’s infamous gangster family renowned for murder and lawlessness. “Phelelani and Nonka have known each other since they were in high school. He refuses to judge her for her failed marriage. He sides with Nonka and clearly states that he won’t ditch her,” says Thuthuka.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Wenzile is forced to take the situation into her own hands, and she arrives at the salon where Nonka works, publicly ordering her to stay away from her son. “Nonka has never met Wenzile, so she is offended, shocked and unimpressed when this woman verbally attacks her, unprovoked,” says Thuthuka. Nonka only realises that Wenzile is Phelelani’s mom after Wenzile mentions his name. “Nonka takes a step back and tries to salvage the situation,” adds the actress. She invites Wenzile to lunch to prove that she’s worthy of dating Wenzile’s son. “Nonka is invested in her relationship. She’s eager for his family to like her,” says Thuthuka. But will Wenzile give Nonka the chance to get to know her for her son’s sake, or will she continue plotting to be a romance wrecker?