God vs Godfather Nkunzi ‘buys’ church
Who’d ever have thought that Nkunzi would want to play God and choose KKC’s next pastor?
The members of Kwamashu Kingdom Church (KKC) are doing the unimaginable: asking gangster Nkunzi (Masoja Msiza) to get their church back, which has been is at the centre of a quest for power since March when pastor Qhabanga (Siyabonga Shibe) left. The building was auctioned and the congregation were left in tears, explains Masoja, whose character is keeping a secret about who owns the church now. “It was done gangster style. Gates chained shut, the members were chased away with gunshots. They were forced to hold services in the local shisanyama.” While patrons sipped their booze, the churchgoers were praying to God. “It’s a sad turn of events and the loyal members are scared of what will become of the community without their spiritual home,” adds Masoja. But help is at hand as the members, many of whom got married at KKC or have bid farewell to loved ones, turn to Nkunzi.
THE PLAN
Nkunzi is a man of many businesses – he owns a scrapyard, a shisanyama, a hair salon and he is KwaMashu’s top criminal. Why would he want to get involved in church politics, even if it’s just to get the building back and hand it over to the community? “The Umbutho crime syndicate is gone. Nkunzi’s beloved wife
MaNgcobo (Dawn Thandeka King, Zinzile in new telenovela DiepCity, see p25) is also gone. Nkunzi now is focused on himself and he wants to be the Godfather of KwaMashu and restore peace and do his bit for the community and fill a void,” explains Masoja, whose character likens himself to Robin Hood, who steals and gives back to the poor.
Even a police raid to find evidence of his crimes doesn’t deter Nkunzi as he aligns himself to KKC and convince the community that he’s changed. “Nkunzi was raised by people who took him to church, he is not anti-religion. He has always donated to KKC. After listening to the community, his mission now is to save the church and have it taken over by the right people who will open it for holy service again,” explains Masoja.
CHESS MASTER
We’re sworn to secrecy about how Nkunzi takes control of the church, but we can tell you that he’s going to be a hands-on “owner”. “He secretly interviews potential pastors without them realising. It’s an informal chat but he’s reading them. He doesn’t want fake prophets. He wants the congregation to regain their faith through the church,” says Masoja, hinting that it’s time for a new face preaching from the pulpit who will turn a blind eye to his “business”…
PREVIOUSLY
Mpambani was obsessed with catching Kwamashu gangster Nkunzi, there was renewed tension for control of the KwaMashu Kingdom Church, and Nkunzi attacked the Umbutho.
19 – 21 MAY
The police raid Nkunzi’s office searching for info and evidence, and Pastor Gwala isn’t sure about his new leadership role. Sbu needs muti to win back Fikile, and Sibonelo begins to see what’s really lacking in his father’s business empire. Sbu asks his friends for help with Fikile when he realises that the muti hasn’t worked, Nkunzi is no longer a feared man, and Nonka is caught between a rock and a hard place.
24 – 28 MAY
Nonka’s situation worsens by the day, and Sbu and Fikile are starting to mend fences. Pastor Gwala is given renewed faith by Nkunzi and he promises to return the KCC to its rightful owners: its congregation. Nkunzi keeps everyone at arm’s length as he plots his attack, and Nosipho prepares to take over management of the salon. Nkunzi is stunned when he realises that the entire community has turned their backs on him and he barges into church and orders everyone to kneel before him.
31 MAY – 1 JUNE
Sbu gets a surprising visit, Nkunzi reminds Nosipho where her place is, and Pastor Gwala and Nkunzi reach an understanding at KKC.
CAST: Amos Bongani Masondo •Detective Mondli Thembinkosi Thwala
•Detective Nyawo Cebo Mthembu •Detective Yamkela Mpambani Jet Novuka •DK Sonto Maphumulo •Fikile Nelisa Mchunu •Gabisile Baby Cele •GC Khaya Dladla •Godfather Sizwe Khumbuza •Hleziphi Sibongiseni Shezi •Khehla Thobani Nzuza •Khomo Sello Ramolatloane
•Last-Number Mxolisi ZuluBoy Majozi •Lilly Noxolo Mathula
•MaDongwe Zama Magubane •Mageba Mike Mvelase •MaMlambo (Hlengiwe) Gugu Gumede •MaNgcobo (Lindiwe) Xulu Dawn Thandeka King •Mazaza Mpume Ngwenya •Mpume (Mpumelelo) Hlatshwayo Fezile Makhanya •Mr Madlala Ntombifuthi Dlamini •Mr Mbatha Thabo Mnguni •Mumsy Nomcebo Gumede •Mrs Nhlapho Mary Ngcobo •Njeza Nkanyiso Makhanya •Nkunzi (Nkunzebovu) Mhlongo Masoja Msiza •Nokwanda Welile Khanyile •Nomcebo (Cebo) Meyiwa Nombulele Mhlongo •Nonka Thuthuka Mthembu
•Nosipho Xulu Nompilo Maphumulo •Pastor Gwala Menzi Biyela
•Phelelani Omega Mncube •Pitshana Thandanani Qwabe •Qhabanga Mhlongo Siyabonga Shibe •Sbu Simphiwe Majozi •Sibonelo Wiseman Mncube •Siphilile Nomthandazo Tee Xaba •Thobile Nokuthula Mabika
•Thulani Mbele Thulane Shange •Wenzile Enhle Mbali Maphumulo
•Zekhethelo Nyalleng Thibedi