Castro the kingpin
Will political scoundrel Castro manage to keep his plan afloat and unseat a troublesome minister?
Political candidate Castro (Aubrey Poo) is doing everything he can to get rid of his arch rival Minister Nozulu (Siyabonga Shibe), but unfortunately for Castro, his plans are failing one after the other, leaving him frustrated and fuming in anger. “Both Castro and Minister Nozulu are competing for a tender that is most likely to bring in a lot of money, and Castro is desperate to get his hands on this tender,” says Aubrey. “But his biggest obstacle is Minister Nozulu who just won’t back down and this forces Castro to go to great lengths just to get rid of him.”
But even with his cunning planning and plotting, Castro is still left furious when the minister refuses to budge – or be budged. “Castro along with his fixer happily set up a trap for Minister Nozulu, but unfortunately their happiness is short-lived when they learn that Minister Nozulu spins their plan around into his favour and manages to come out clean,” adds Aubrey.
AN AGE-OLD FEUD
These days Castro seems to love poking sleeping lions. But this time the lion is awake and ready to attack – in the form of a long-running enemy. “Castro doesn’t realise that he has opened a hornet’s nest with his new plot,” says Aubrey, hinting that the person standing in his way is more of a personal foe than a professional rival. “Castro is the perfect villain character. He’s willing to bend the law until it breaks, yet he’s the first to stand up and tell people to play by the rules. He’s now going to have his hands full trying to get rid of the minister for professional gain and this other obstacle in his personal life.”
CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY
Just before Castro throws in the towel in his war against the minister, it seems he’s thrown a lifeline. “There is a car accident that the minister is involved in and while I can’t reveal much, a woman has lost her life. For Castro this is a bitter-sweet moment, because the lady who died is someone Castro knew, so he doesn’t know whether to be sad for the loss of life or to be happy since he can now finally use this against Minister Nozulu to get him out of the way and get the tender for himself,” explains Aubrey. “One thing is for sure, though: Castro is resilient. He will get whatever he wants no matter what it takes. The audience need to keep their eyes on the screen because there is a lot more drama to come, and there’s going to be something of a turning moment for Castro – but if he’ll go soft or harder is another question…”
PREVIOUSLY
Melisizwe and Noxolo made sure that the funeral incident was covered up properly so that Vukani was free from blame, secrets tumbled out of the closet for two families, and Castro realised he was a small fish in a huge ocean and that he’s got to pay up to the people backing him or he would lose more than just his funding.
IN THIS ISSUE
Lesiba has trouble accepting his separation with Mmakoena, and Zodwa receives her first client. A surprise visitor makes up for the trouble caused at Dumisani’s party, Dumisani nearly catches Karabelo in a lie, and Karabelo ruffles feathers after she inserts herself into Echelon Estate.
The winner for the coffee shop tender is announced, Lesiba deals with theft at Sakhizwe, and Lwandle gets bad news.
Minister Nozulu’s antics lead to disaster, Masokisi struggles to keep his promises to Mohau, and the Nobengelas are fighting a losing battle with Vukani. GK realises politics is far dirtier than she thought, Masokisi and Tshiamo are up to no good, and Lesiba is caught in a compromising position. Vukani has bold new ideas but battles to convince his parents to support him, Lwandle confronts Karabelo about Lesiba, and Masokisi and Tshiamo’s hustle has deadly results.
CAST: Aarush Gopala Davies •Amogelang Dineo Rasedile
•Boikanyo Thabo Malema •Castro Kamanga Aubrey Poo
•Chantelle Lee Visagie •Dumisani Mokobane Mpho Sibeko
•Faniswa Khayakazi Kula •Fareeha Vinette Ebrahim •Gcinekile (GK) Nobengela Samke Makhoba •Gigi Nambitha Ben-Mazwi
•Gilles Bradley Hartman •Goniwe Phakathwayo Linda Sebezo
•Grace Hildegardt Whites •Jo Lorcia Cooper Khumalo •Karabelo Lungelo Madondo •Koko Mothibe Ivy Nkutha •Latifah Carla Fonseca •Leah le Roux Penny Wolhurter •Lesiba Molefe Matli Mohapelo •Lwandle Phakathwayo Jo-Anne Reyneke •Martin van Wyk Jacques Blignaut •Masokisi Ebenhazer Dibakwane
•Melisizwe Nobengela Dumisani Mbebe •Minister Nozulu Siyabonga Shibe Mmakoena Molefe Dineo Langa •Mmathsepo Mokobane Clementine Mosimane •Mohau Moopi Mothibeli
•Mzolisi Nobengela Anga Makubalo •Noxolo Nobengela Lerato Mvelase •Oom Pretorius Anton Dekker •Papa M Nimrod Nkosi •Phasha Amos Ketlele-Chalale •Phenyo Bahle Hadebe
•Precious Zandile Lujabe •Rethabile Palesa Madisakwane
•Ryan le Roux Charlie Bouguenon •Sanjay Ashish Gangapersad
•Shadrack Mokobane Don Mlangeni •Sindi Phakathwayo Zenokuhle Maseko •Siya Phakathwayo Sparky Xulu •Suzaan le Roux Nadia Velvekens •Tessa van Wyk Carla Classen •Tshiamo Marcus Molemane •Tsholo Moliehi Didie Makobane •Vukani Nobengela Siya Xaba • Zodwa Amanda Quwe