Thirsty situation
The kingdom of Thathe is struggling with water supply issues and their new chief is doing nothing about it.
Mulalo (Sydney Ramakuela) finds out the hard way that being chief isn’t about being praised wherever you go, being waited on hand and foot, or cutting ribbons like he used to do when he was mayor. The people of Thathe protest on his doorstep, and they’re staying until he gives them what they want: water. “There has been no water for days. The taps are dry and it seems that the royal house is oblivious to the people’s needs,” says Sydney.
Knowing what’s coming, ex-chief Azwindini (Gabriel Temudzani) puts his differences aside with his half-brother and warns Mulalo of the brewing storm. “Mulalo is drunk with power and at this point he only listens to his wife Teboho (Liteboho Molise). He thinks that Azwindini just wants to sabotage him,” says Sydney. That’s until the mob storm the palace…
TWO-FACED LIAR
“Mulalo tries to calm the situation and tells the angry members that not only is he aware of the water drama, he has started plans to fix it,” explains Sydney, whose character didn’t care minutes earlier when he was safe inside. And lies with arrogance, adds the actor. “Mulalo only cares about himself, his wife and their children. He isn’t bothered about the community like a chief should be.”
Having safely got rid of the community leaders who stormed his house, the chief turns to Teboho for advice on what to do. He realises that it’s a serious issue now, but his greed makes him think only of himself, adds Sydney. “Teboho tells him that he needs to fix the water situation before he becomes known as the chief who didn’t care.” Worse yet, Mulalo gets word that the people of Thathe are demanding Azwindini take back the throne because he’s a “real” chief. “The community hail Azwindini as their chief and this doesn’t sit well with Mulalo,” explains Sydney. “It’s proof yet again that Mulalo isn’t the chosen one. He is out of his depth.”
A BITE OF TENDER PIE
With his chieftaincy under threat, the leader tells the community that he will build a dam. It won’t just placate his subjects and solve the problem, Mulalo is using it to line his pockets. “A tender is issued and Mulalo wants his share,” says Sydney, whose character turns to businessman Tenda (Nat Ramabulana) to “see how they can use this dam deal to enrich themselves,” says Sydney. It seems Mulalo’s plan has worked for now, with the community giving the dam the thumbs up. But how long will they stay calm when they see that his promises are as empty as their taps?
There’s something about Nokuzola (Vuyiseka Cawe) that makes even the hardest heart forgive her sins. When she bats her eyelids, softens her voice and smiles, fans know that she’s working her magic to wrap someone around her finger. Like her boyfriend Zithulele (Raphael Griffith), who was furious recently when he learnt that she had an abortion, not a miscarriage as she had told him. “Nokuzola comes from royalty. She’s worked hard in her career as a lawyer. She feared that she wouldn’t be able to cope with a career and motherhood,” says Vuyiseka of her character’s abortion choice. “She wants to help Zithu put his company Shongololo Oil at the top, and to build their careers without them worrying about babies just yet.” There’s just one problem: Nokuzola’s eye wandered while she and Zithulele were broken up over the baby saga…
BAD GIRL
Noku has been leaning on Zithu’s halfbrother Nkululeko (Nkanyiso Mchunu) recently. One thing led to another and they got intimate. “Sleeping with him was a huge mistake, it just happened,” says the actress. “But they’ve been close for some time, from when Nokuzola was drinking and partying. There are no feelings there for her. Nkululeko doesn’t have feelings for Nokuzola either, but he wants her to own up for their actions,” says Vuyi.
Feeling guilty for what happened, and perhaps realising what she’s gotten herself into, Noku ignores her moment of weakness with her future brother-inlaw. She sets on a path to try and mend things with the Bhengu family, and with Zithulele by her side, she convinces them to give her another chance to be the perfect makoti.
WELCOME BACK, BUT…
The Bhengus are hesitant and while they are willing to accept Noku back into the fold, there’s a condition: she must replace the child she aborted by getting pregnant again. “Nokuzola wants to make everyone happy. Her family is very hard on her, but she is willing to be submissive this one time only. She doesn’t want to force things with Zithulele with their romance just recently renewed, so it must be organic and come from their love,” says Vuyi.
In true soapie style, Nokuzola discovers this fortnight that she’s pregnant again. Already? “When she does the maths in her head, Noku realises that she’s got a problem,” says Vuyi, whose character has had unprotected sex with the half-brothers and it’s too early to know if she’s carrying Zithu’s baby again, or Nkululeko’s. One thing is for certain: she can’t abort this one.