Thokozile’s ghost steals grandson
The search is on for little Mepho when his “resurrected” gran Thokozile disappears at the same time.
History is repeating itself. Nkululeko (Nkanyiso Mchunu) was stolen from Thokozile (Nqobile Sipamla) as a boy, now she is doing the same by kidnapping his son Mepho (not seen). “It gets to the point where Thoko feels like she is alone on an island,” says Nqobile, whose character was shunned for her vindictive behaviour in 2020. “Everyone rejected her. She is desperate and feels as though she has nothing left, and that’s one of the reasons she kidnaps the boy. Her grandson represents hope for the future and a chance of her having some sort of a family.”
Only two people know that Thoko faked her death after she was stabbed in February this year: Nkulu and his girlfriend Fikile (Phindile Gwala), who has helped hide Thoko. Everyone else thinks that they’ve seen her ghost and ghosts can’t be arrested for a crime. “Thoko doesn’t care about hurting people she loves to get what she wants,” warns Nqobile.
THE SEARCH IS ON
Everyone panics at Mepho’s disappearance, especially Nkululeko, who knows that his mother is involved and regrets covering up her death. “There’s gossip that Thokozile was seen at the church. Nkululeko blames Fikile as she helped Thoko, so she is as guilty as his mom,” adds Nqobile. Nkulu even forces Fikile to get hypnotised to learn Thokozile’s whereabouts because he has had no contact with his mom after he told her again to get out of his life in April.
Nkulu has underestimated his mom’s resourcefulness and cruelty. “Thokozile is in a dark place, she is manipulative and can pay people to do whatever she wants,” says Nqobile, adding that her character isn’t going to hurt Mepho, she wants to give him love he’s never experienced after Nkulu banished her. “Thokozile sees what she is doing as reprimanding Nkululeko for rejecting her. Where does he get the audacity?” asks Nqobile. “In her mind, she is doing what is good for her son. She’ll do anything for him, and in her twisted way, she believes that she is saving Nkulu and she is able to be a mother again.”
COMING CLEAN
Nkululeko’s heart breaks when he gets a phonecall to identify a boy’s body. “He put out a video publicising the search for Mepho but couldn’t reveal that it was Thoko. He never thought it would come to this,” explains Nqobile. Fortunately it’s not his son, but Nkulu is forced to confront something he didn’t want to: confessing to his family that Thokozile is alive and that he has been lying. Every minute counts and Nkulu knows that hope is fading fast…
PREVIOUSLY
Zithulele and Nokuzola found their love again but Nokuzola still felt guilty about hooking up with Zithulele’s half-brother Nkululeko, and Thokozile was caught with muti.
19 – 21 MAY
Baby Mepho (not onscreen) disappears at the same time as Thokozile, and MaNdlovu tries to find Walter’s family to tell them about his failing health. Nkululeko tells Fikile that she’s the reason his son is missing, and Nokuzola tells Zithu that she isn’t returning to his family’s home.
24 – 28 MAY
Nkululeko is told to reveal that Thokozile is alive if he wants to see his son again, and Nokuzola begs the Bhengu family and Zithulele for their forgiveness but a traditional ceremony needs to be conducted first. Nkululeko gets a phonecall from the police to identify a dead baby and he fears that it could be Mepho, and the unveiling of Shongololo Oil’s new office park leads to a couple of unwanted liaisons. Fikile is asked to be hypnotised so that her subconscious mind can help Nkululeko find his son, and Nirupa and Menzi are getting friendly at Shongololo.
31 MAY – 1 JUNE
Macingwane brings news to the Bhengus, and Zithu is wary of Nirupa’s business ideas.
CAST: Abigail Smangele Mathibela •Buhle Bhengu Vuyokazi Tshona
•Celiwe Brightness Zulu •Dinesh Naiker Ravi Rampersad •Fezeka Amanda Tobo •Fikile Phindile Gwala •Futhi Bhengu Nokwanda Khuzwayo •Jyothi Samantha Govender •KaMadonsela (Priscilla) Bhengu Brenda Mhlongo •Khanyo (Nokukhanya) Bhengu Nqobile Ndlovu •Khemisi Thabiso Lekoba •Khwezi Mongi Majola •Lindiwe Msweli Ntokozo Mzulwini •Lindo Anathi Gobeni •Lungani Sifiso Mchunu
•Macingwane Langalakhe Zwane •Makhosazana Nokulunga Kunene
•MaKhumalo Thokozile Priscilla Gumede •MaNdlovu Bhengu Thembi Mtshali •MaZulu (Nokubonga) Bhengu Leleti Khumalo •Menzi Muzi Mthabela •Mepho Eyethu Mkhwanazi •Mira Rampersad Mishka Gounden •Mpanza Bonginkosi Kulu •Ngcolosi (Zimele) Bhengu Tony Kgoroge •Nirupa Rampersad Jailoshini Naidoo •Nkululeko Nkanyiso Mchunu •Nokuzola Vuyiseka Cawe •Nomusa Mkhize Gugulethu
Mzobe •Nomfundo Thokozani Ndlovu •Ntombekhaya Mabongi
Khanyile •Nyawuza Zwai Mgijima •Pastor Ndamase Mlamli Ningiza
•Phakade Bhengu Sandile Dlamini •Phunyuka Khanyile Mduduzi Nombela •Ntombekhaya Mabongi Khanyile •Sanil Maharaj Jack Devnarain •Sebenzile Busisiwe Shezi •Sibahle Mpisane Sibahle
Mpisane •Shria Rampersad Kajal Maharaj •Sibongile Mseleku Sindisiwe Zondo •Sonwabile Mzingisi Ganyile •Thando Thanda Gcwensa
•Themba Kwenzo Ngcobo •Thokozile Nqobile Sipamla •Violet Xoli Zamisa •Yaveer Zahir Bassa •Zakithi Bhengu Nokubonga Khuzwayo
•Zamazama Khayelihle Ngubane •Zethu Khanyile Mchunu Nonsindiso Gcaba •Zithulele Bhengu Raphael Griffiths