Mbali’s holy mess
The Diales go to church and get a worrying vision.
When teens feel lonely and out of place, it’s tempting to turn to a bad circle of friends, substance abuse or even crime to try be accepted into social society. But even though Mbali (Ditebogo Ledwaba) has found refuge in regularly attending a church, her mom Lucy (Manaka Ranaka) can’t shake the feeling that something off is happening at the church and its members, sparking concern for Mbali.
“Mbali’s friends took her to church to see what it’s all about after matriculating last year. The church becomes a place where she feels she belongs,” says Ditebogo, adding that while her character’s mom loves her, Mbali feels like she has a new family. But this acceptance will come at great personal cost…
HOLY HOUSE
Lucy and the rest of the Diale family notice Mbali frequently visiting the Holy House church and they pay little attention to it. Until Mbali comes home with a brand-new tablet device, which gets Lucy wary of the church. According to Ditebogo, “The very expensive gift from the church is to help Mbali with her studies, and, of course, like any teen with a new toy, she’s excited!” She adds that “Mbali is very happy. The gift makes her feel loved and appreciated. But her family – not so much! They are concerned. What kind of a church gives people gifts like this?”
AN UNSETTLED MOTHER
“Lucy has an ugly feeling and she thinks that there’s something dodgy about this church. And when they gift her daughter with this tablet, she isn’t happy at all. She wants to see what it’s about.
She doesn’t think Mbali should keep the tablet – it’s too much,” says Manaka. So to put her mind at ease – or prove her fears correct – Lucy decides to see Holy House for herself. She suggests the entire family visits the church for a service and to see first hand.
Having dabbled in all sorts of crime, Lucy knows a con when she sees it. She is street-smart and she sure trusts her intuition – and right now it’s telling her something’s amiss with Holy House. “She can’t put her finger on it. But something isn’t right,” Manaka tells us.
THE PROPHET SPEAKS
Mbali’s uncle Cosmo (Ronnie Nyakale) agrees to go with to the church and he warns his sister Lucy to behave. “He is protective of Mbali and since she likes Holy House, he doesn’t want Lucy ruining it for his niece,” says Ditebogo. And while Lucy is on her best behaviour, nothing can prepare her for what comes next: The church prophet comes up to them and has a vision of Mbali. “I’m not going to ruin it,” says Ditebogo, “but it’s a vision that concerns Lucy.” If only Lucy knew what that tablet was really for…