All gassed up
Will Zithulele raise the dead when he finds Shongololo’s key to victory over Maluju… in Ngcolosi’s grave?
Young businessman Zithulele Bhengu (Raphael Griffiths) is going through a quarter-life crisis, so he turns to his pastor biological father Phakade (Sandile Dlamini) for spiritual help and guidance. But he’s going to discover something far more special at the gravesite of the man who raised Zithulele, thinking that he was Zithu’s dad: Phakade’s older brother Ngcolosi (Tony Kgoroge).
“A lot of revelations are happening that are impacting Zithulele’s life, both positively and negatively. This is why he turns to his father Phakade for help, and it’s what leads them to Ngcolosi’s grave,” explains Raphael. “What he finds will change Zithulele’s life forever. I’m not going to spoil things and reveal what it is, but this is going to be exactly what Zithulele needs to put Shongololo Oil on top and knock Maluju Oil off its perch,” adds the actor.
LIGHTING A FLAME
Upon his graveyard discovery, Zithulele calls his sister Zakithi (Nokubonga Khuzwayo) to come to Mbumbulu immediately, and he ditches his wife
Nokuzola (Vuyiseka Cawe) on their date night. “Zithulele calls Zakithi to the area because he wants her to confirm what he saw at the graveyard and that it’s not a figment of his imagination. He leads both Phakade and Zakithi to the graveyard where he burns a flame over the ground to recreate the miracle for them to see what he saw. This is the crucial point of the fifth season,” explains Raphael.
Once his discovery is confirmed by Zakithi and Phakade, Zithulele sets out to convince Phakade of the enormous economic opportunities that they’ll be able to take advantage of if they decide to use it for business purposes. “Zithu explains to Phakade that with their discovery, not only will they be rolling in money, they will be able to take Shongololo Oil to the number one spot and turn it into a giant company and create employment for the community. He knows that Phakade may not easily agree to using the discovery for business, but he’s going to aim for the heart and with fingers crossed, and hope for the best,” says Raphael.
The actor insists that “this is his time to shine with his company Shongololo Oil. He’s going to make sure that he uses his newfound discovery to his full advantage. He will make sure that he beats his family’s business Maluju Oil, especially those who’ve looked down on him over the years and discredited him.” Zithulele has always been the down-toearth Bhengu child, but no more. He’s going to show that he’s ruthless and shrewd and a businessman in his own right. “Everyone is going to witness and be shocked by the new side of Zithulele that will be shown,” ways Raphael.
LION vs CHEETAH
Zithulele and his half-brother Nkululeko (Kay Sibiya) nearly come to blows after
Nkululeko drops a bombshell. “Nkulu doesn’t find out about Zithu’s gravesite discovery. The only people who know about are Phakade, Zakithi and Zithulele himself. The reason that they nearly get into a brawl will shock viewers, but it leads the once cool, calm and collected Zithulele to explode,” says Raphael.
“It’s no secret that Zithulele has a deep-seated hatred for Nkululeko, especially after Nkululeko had an affair with Zithulele’s wife and still had the audacity to use every opportunity to put Zithulele down and make him feel like he isn’t good enough! All of Zithulele’s pent-up emotions are finally let out, and he wants Nkululeko to get the message loud and clear: If you’re the lion, then I’m the cheetah. I’m coming to get you.
Being the smart guy that he is, Zithulele has a trick up his sleeve involving his discovery at Ngcolosi’s grave and he’s planning to use it to not only defeat Nkululeko, but also to rub salt in his wounds. “Zithu is going to take every opportunity he can to slowly take everything away from Nkululeko, and he’s going to start with something that Nkululeko treasures most: Maluju Oil,” says Raphael.
EXPLOSIVE DRAMA
Season 5 of Imbewu is going to be explosive, says Raphael. “Zithu is going to use his find to blow up the industry. And he’s not the only thing in Mbumbulu that’s going to explode. There is going to be a lot more drama, love, betrayal and tears to come,” says the actor, adding that “there’s a lot of stuff going on in the Bhengu family’s lives, and it’s going to include his dead dad. There’s a lot coming that viewers won’t expect.”
PREVIOUSLY
Sebenzile planned to use a fake church bank account to steal money to pay off Nhlakanipho, Makhosazana discovered that the Maluju Oil server was hacked, and bitter rivals MaZulu and Nirupa circled each other.
IN THIS ISSUE
Shria is devastated when she finds out that Sunil has left her, but Nirupa encourages her to move on, and MaZulu refuses to listen to Buhle’s dream about her murdered father Ngcolosi. The crisis at Maluju worsens when clients threatens to cancel the contracts, and Nkululeko blames MaZulu for the problems at Maluju Oil and he tries to force his stepmother to step down as CEO.
Makhosazana suggests a meeting with an angel investor as a way for Nkululeko to be Maluju’s saviour, and KaMadonsela’s disturbing dreams about Ngcolosi intensify. Sunil undergoes surgery but Makhosazana has to wait for verification on the surgery’s success, Buhle is determined to carry out a traditional family ritual despite MaZulu’s continued protests, and the staff at Emsamo learn that they’ll be searched every day because there’s missing money. The fight between Nkululeko and MaZulu meanwhile escalates into war when they realise what’s truly at stake.
CAST: Abigail Smangele Mathibela •Bhekisisa Bhekani Shabalala
•Buhle Bhengu Vuyokazi Tshona •Celiwe Brightness Zulu •Detective Mthembu Mxolisi Zuma •Dinesh Naiker Ravi Rampersad
•Fezeka Amanda Tobo •Fikile Phindile Gwala •Futhi Bhengu Nokwanda Khuzwayo •Gobela Mapule Ngobese •Gogo Gugu
Khumalo •Jason Byron McNeil •Jyothi Samantha Govender
•KaMadonsela (Priscilla) Bhengu Brenda Mhlongo •Khanyo (Nokukhanya) Bhengu Nqobile Ndlovu •Khemisi Thabiso Lekoba
•Khwezi Mongi Majola •Landile Skhumbuzo Shandu •Lindiwe
Msweli Ntokozo Mzulwini •Lulu Lungisani Mkhize •Lugani Sifiso Mchunu •Macingwane Langalakhe Zwane •Makhosazana Nokulunga Kunene •MaKhumalo Thokozile Priscilla Gumede •Mambani Andile Mhlongo •MaNdlovu Bhengu Thembi Mtshali •MaZulu (Nokubonga) Bhengu Leleti Khumalo •Menzi Muzi Mthabela •Mepho Eyethu Mkhwanazi •Mira Rampersad Mishka Gounden •Mpanza Bonginkosi Kulu •Nirupa Rampersad Jailoshini Naidoo •Nkululeko
Kay Sibiya •Nokuzola Vuyiseka Cawe •Nompi Zandi Nhlapo
•Nomusa Mkhize Gugulethu Mzobe •Nomfundo Thokozani Ndlovu
•Ntombekhaya Mabongi Khanyile •Nyawuza Zwai Mgijima •Phakade Bhengu Sandile Dlamini •Phunyuka Khanyile Mduduzi Nombela
•Poppi Snenhlanhla Sabelo •Sankomfa Ndaba KaNgwane •Sebenzile Busisiwe Shezi •Shria Rampersad Kajal Maharaj •Sibahle Mpisane Sibahle Mpisane •Sibongile Mseleku Sindisiwe Zondo •Sifiso Nkanyiso Kunene •Sonwabile Mzingisi Ganyile •Sunil Maharaj Jack Devnarain
•Thando Thanda Gcwensa •Themba Kwenzo Ngcobo •Thokozile Nqobile Sipamla •Thu Sheleni Kaylin Soobramanian •Vanya Aaliyah Chaboo •Xolani Nkosinathi Mshengu •Yaveer Zahir Bassa •Zakithi Bhengu Nokubonga Khuzwayo •Zamazama Khayelihle Ngubane
•Zandile Angel Sithole •Zenzele Maphumulo Nay Maps •Zethu Mchunu Nonsindiso Gcaba •Zithulele Bhengu Raphael Griffiths