Who’s the boss
Puleng puts her fears aside to take over the Ndlovu empire after her ex-hubby Suffo hands himself in for murder.
One thing is clear and it’s that record label exec Pearl Genaro (Petronella Tshuma) won’t rest until gangster businessman Suffocate Ndlovu (Mduduzi Mabaso, Mgedeza in new telenovela DiepCity, see p26) is arrested for the murder of her father David (Jamie Bartlett) in February 2020. She’s been blackmailing the Ndlovus since December last year, with the aim of pushing Suffo to the edge. And after much anguish caused to the family, Suffo gives into Pearl’s demands. He bids an emotional farewell to his loved ones, and with his head hanging low, Suffo confesses the murder to the cops. Now that Suffo is in prison, he chooses his successor at his record label Red Records. And it’s none other than his ex-wife and shisanyama owner Puleng (Tebogo Khalo). But will she rise to the occasion with more than just music as the family business?
SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY
It’s plain to see that Suffo’s decision does not sit well with his self-entitled adoptive son Pule (Zamani Mbatha), who doubts Puleng’s capabilities. “Pule believes that Puleng’s amiable personality and inexperience in the corporate world will expose the family to more attacks from Pearl. He wants to take charge to protect the Ndlovu empire,” explains Tebogo.
Puleng considers relinquishing her power to the youngster, but her visit with Suffo changes her mind. “Just before Suffo is transferred to maximum security prison, he tells Puleng that he believes in her, restoring her confidence,” says Tebogo, adding that her character is moved by the level of respect and trust shown by Suffo. “It’s a bittersweet milestone in their relationship. In the same breath, she is overwhelmed and only somewhat ready for the journey ahead.”
GIRL ON FIRE
Puleng is met with several obstacles on her first day. As Pule predicated, Pearl tries to intimidate Puleng. “She makes Puleng’s life at the office a living hell,” says Tebogo. “Pearl gives Puleng an absurd amount of work, which is her strategy to force Puleng to quit. On top of the pressure, Puleng is still familiarising herself with musicians and artist contacts. It’s all too much for her,” adds Tebogo of Puleng’s difficulties at Red Records. However, Puleng has an innate fighting spirit, and she refuses to disappoint her family and Suffo. “Her love for Suffo is fuel to keep her seemingly dying fire ablaze. So she’s determined to fake it until she makes it. Not even Pearl or Pule will stop her from asserting herself and running Red Record.”
PREVIOUSLY
Suffo considered turning himself in to the cops for murder, Zak and Zinhle started dating again despite being half-siblings, and Sindiswa stole Mapula’s idea at work.
19 – 21 MAY
Pearl orders Mzi to confess to stealing his client’s money or she’ll expose his dad Suffo for murder, and Zak and Zinhle hide their relationship from their family. Mapula continues her revenge plan on Sindiswa, and Suffocate is ready to save his son Mzi from torment.
24 – 28 MAY
Zinhle almost tells her mom Nandi about her night with Zak, and Mapula makes the best of her new position at 9-Nine radio station by controlling Sindiswa’s every move. Suffo strikes a deal with the police to protect his family, and married couple Khulekani and Nandi make amends but their progress is disrupted by Zak and Zinhle’s secret love. Sabelo tries to forge peace at 9-Nine between Mapula and Sindiswa, and Suffo chooses a successor to take over his business empire. Zak has second thoughts about Zinhle, and Mapula turns down Sindiswa’s pitch for the Youth Day.
31 MAY – 1 JUNE
Puleng arrives late for her meeting at Redhub, and Zinhle and Zak have a pregnancy scare.
CAST: Advocate Maponya Getmore Sithole •Amanhle Cebile Hlatshwayo •Banele Oros Mampofu •Blossom Khuse Slindile Nodangala
•Busi Thabo Ntshubela •Candy Johanna Difile Molotsi •Chicken Nelson Ntombela •Constance Mokokobale Makgopa •Cuba Magi Noninzi Williams •David Genaro Jamie Bartlett •Deaconess Sonto Limakatso Mokhiti •Detective Madikgetla Lerato Moloi •Dikeledi Reshoketswe Kekana •Dumisani Siyabonga Mtshali •Emmanuel
Nkosi Cengani •Fats Tselapedi Mpho Molepo •Hammer Abraham
Abe Pupunyane •Hlompho Sello Motloung •Gail Pam Andrews •Gift Nyaniso Dzedze •Jafta Nakumba Sandile Dlamini •Jamaica Mzamo Gcabashe •Jonas Charles Baloyi •Kea (Keabetswe) Kamogelo Molatlhoe •Khulekani Ngobese Mncedisi Shabangu •Kop Khuse Setlhabi Taunyane •Lefa Tshiamo Molobi •Lerato Samkelo Ndlovu
•Lerumo Khotso Nkhatho •Machiliza Sannah Mcunu •Mampho Nakumba Itumeleng Bokaba •Mandlakhe Menzi Brighton Biyela
•Mapula Mapula Mafole •Mkhushulwa Jacob Ntshangase •Musa Thabiso Mokhethi •Mr Murray Anthony Coleman •Mose Mpho Sebeng
•Mzi Ndlovu Jesse Suntele •Nandi Ngobese Nompilo Gwala •Nqobi Khwezi Ntsika Mbabela •Palesa Hloni Padi •Pastor Makoro Kabelo Moalusi •Pearl Genaro Petronella Tshuma •Pinkies Cebile Mlaba
•Pule Zamani Mbatha •Puleng Mofokeng Tebogo Khalo •Quinton Cidjey Andrews •Reneilwe Khuse Amogelang Chidi •Sabelo Ishmauel Songo •Sindiswa Mbalenhle Zakwe •Stixx Matshosa Joseph Sedibo
•Suffo (Suffocate) Ndlovu Mduduzi Mabaso •Vukile Baxolise Mfidi
•Zak Bohlokwa Mpiti •Zinhle Ngobese Kealeboga Masango •Ziyanda Linda Sokhulu •Zolani Melusi Mbele