No Mr Nice Nkunzi
A new rival threatens Nkunzi’s throne as top gangster.
Newcomer Vika (Siyabonga Radebe) is proving to be a thorn in the side of KwaMashu’s gangster godfather Nkunzi (Masoja Msiza). He arrived in March unannounced and unwelcomed as he hijacked a truck filled with laptops and other electronics. He then shot cop Lilly (Noxolo Mathula) when she tried to arrest him… and vanished into thin air. Now it’s his time to reveal himself. “Vika is a spoilt brat with power. He has been given a chance to keep a ruthless family business. He’ll do anything to make sure that the business is a success, with or without anyone’s approval,” says Siya.
HE WANTS IT ALL!
Vika’s mysterious entrance and exit into the shadows has only enhanced his reputation around KwaMashu. And the one person taking note is Nkunzi. “As it stands, Vika wants what Nkunzi has and nothing will stop him,” says Siya. “Vika wants a piece of Nkunzi’s business and his territory. Nkunzi has a successful crime empire and he’s made it in life, so it seems that Vika’s obsession with Nkunzi would be the need to learn and look up to someone.”
At first, Nkunzi isn’t bothered by this young upstart. He’s seen off many like Vika before, says Masoja. “Nkunzi is not threatened or intimidated. Nkunzi knows that he is the long standing man in the underworld. Vika is a new boy.”
BEING BRAVE
Vika believes that he’s only scratching the surface of what he’s capable of by trying to murder cops. “He’s showing off and as bad as Nkunzi is, murdering a cop isn’t something he’d do. Nkunzi doesn’t respect the police, but he’s not going to shoot people for fun,” says Siya. Vika thinks that his display of “bravery” will win over Nkunzi, but he’s wrong, says Siya. “Vika makes an offer to Nkunzi, but the KwaMashu gangster wants nothing to do with the trouble-maker and rejects Vika.”
THE NEXT DEAL
Vika has other plans for KwaMashu and if Nkunzi isn’t going to help, he knows someone who will. But he’s barking up the wrong tree trying to bride local head cop Detective Mondli (Thembinkosi Thwala). Not only is Mondli an upstanding honest cop, he’s also Lilly’s friend and “he’s searching for Lilly’s would-be killer, so Vika’s plan isn’t going to work,” adds the actor.
And as Masoja hints, what’s to come is one of the stranger things that fans will have seen on Uzalo – Nkunzi and Mondli form something of an alliance. “Vika is also messing with the wrong men. Things will definitely take a turn that Vika could never predict. This socalled partnership isn’t the best idea for Nkunzi but he’s got to do it if he’s going to get any relief…”
PREVIOUSLY
Amahle and Lilly professed their love, a gospel star put her differences aside and agreed to perform for Mr Mbatha, and rising gangster Vika took on the mighty Nkunzi.
IN THIS ISSUE
Vika claims victory over KwaMashu’s crime king Nkunzi, Lilly gets cold feet about introducing her partner Amahle, and Gabisile’s dreams come crashing down. It’s payback time for Nyawo as a scorned ex-lover shows up, Nonka’s love life may be taking a turn for the better as a handsome man takes an interest in her, and Gabisile’s columnist career is a flop and she’s devastated. Nkunzi has had it with Vika and wants him out of his territory, and, Gabisile refuses an offer from K-MASH FM that could actually change her life for the better.
Lilly comes out as bisexual to Nonka, and Detective Mondli has to make a decision that sees him questioning his morals. Vika’s gun is handed to Mondli, and Hleziphi’s troubles are about to get out of control. Lilly opens up to Nonka about the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and Nkunzi snatches back his seat as crimelord. Mondli goes all out to nail an enemy of the police force, Lilly’s secret love life continues and, Gabisile gets another offer. Sbu’s misery continues, Lilly is prepared to help Mondli as he searches for his missing informant Cocoa, and Vika realises that he’s fighting for his life.
CAST: Amahle Hope Mbhele• Amos Bongani Masondo •Baby Smagaliso (not a real baby) •Babekazi Duduzile Ngcobo •Cocoa Nomalanga Shabane •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 •God-father Sizwe Khumbuza •Hlelo Nothando Ngcobo •Hleziphi Sibongiseni Shezi •Khehla Thobani Nzuza
•Khomo Sello Ramolat-loane •Last-Number Mxolisi ZuluBoy Majozi
•Lilly Noxolo Mathula •MaDongwe Zama Magubane •Mageba Mike Mvelase •MaMlambo (Hlengiwe) Gugu Gumede •Mazaza Mpume Ngwenya •Mpume (Mpumelelo) Hlatshwayo Fezile Makhanya •Mrs Madlala Ntombifuthi Dlamini •Mr Mbatha Thabo Mnguni •Mumsy Nomcebo Gumede •Mrs Nhlapho Mary Ngcobo •Mthunzi Andile Msomi •Njeza Nkanyiso Makhanya •Nkunzi (Nkunzebovu) Mhlongo Masoja Msiza •Nokwanda Welile Khanyile •Nomcebo (Cebo) Meyiwa Nombulele Mhlongo •Nomzamo Jacinta Ngobese •Nonka Thuthuka Mthembu •Nosipho Xulu Nompilo Maphumulo •Pastor Gwala/ Sambulo (Sambo) Menzi Biyela •Phelelani Omega Mncube •Phillippe Joe Kadazi •Pitshana Thandanani Qwabe •Qhabanga Mhlongo Siyabonga Shibe •Raphael Nduduzo Khowa •Sbu Simphiwe Majozi
•Sibonelo (Sibo) Wiseman Mncube •Siphilile Nomthandazo Tee Xaba
•Thobile Nokuthula Mabika •Thulani Mbele Thulane Shange •Vika Siyabonga Radebe •Wenzile Enhle Mbali Maphumulo