Mnakwethu S2: Husband wants to build a house for second wife first

On episode 6 of Mnakwethu S2, we are introduced to Sandile Mungwe (33). Mungwe, just like those who came before him, wants Musa Mseleku to help him convince his first wife to allow him to take his 19-year-old girlfriend as his second wife.

Mungwe believes that Siwelile Msweli is the one. Mungwe says that he is inspired by his grandfather because he also grew up in a polygamous family under his grandfather and he knows what it takes to sustain more than one wife. Where have we heard this reason before? Oh yes, on the same show but from different men.

“You can’t take people’s daughters and leave them to fend for themselves while you live elsewhere,” Mungwe says, citing his own father’s shortcomings when it comes to polygamy. Now, the only person who may stand in his way is his first wife, because as far as Mungwe knows, she’s a devoted Christian and is against polygamy.

Here comes the teenage bride

Described by Mungwe as someone who is beautiful, talkative but not too forward, Siwelile is who Mungwe wants to take as a second wife. “We’ve only just met, but we know each other so well,” Mungwe states. “She knows how not to get me into trouble with my wife,” he continues. “Some women want their presence to be known, they’re even revealed.”

After Mseleku meets Siwelile for the first time, he immediately agrees that Siwelile does indeed appear to be a calm person and it shows that she was raised well. However, Musa does say that he is worried about Siwelile’s age.

“Upon finding out that she is 19 years old, I became nervous because she might look mature, but I don’t think she is mentally ready to be a second wife,” says Musa.

Siwelile says that when she and Mungwe started dating, he didn’t tell her that he was married. “It’s painful, but if you love someone you have to accept it,” she explains. Siwelile is very determined to keep her relationship going as she doesn’t think it will be easy for her to let Mungwe go. Where have we heard that one before?

Siwelile’s intentions seem genuine; she says that she would like for all of them to be united in building and growing the family. Again, where have we heard that before? Aah yes, in previous episodes where, ironically enough, the second wife-to-be is way younger than the man and is determined to marry her lover regardless of how the first wife feels.

The house debacle

As soon as Mungwe and Mseleku arrive at the Mungwe household, it’s time for Mungwe to face the music and tell his wife, Zama, why they are meeting. After hearing the news, Zama is devastated and asks why.

Zama is taken aback by his request, because, from her perspective, they have a lot of work to do before anyone else can join their family, especially a second wife who has needs.

“I don’t want that woman in my house, where will she stay?” Zama asks Mungwe. Mungwe then goes on to ask for permission, on top of everything, to build Siwelile a house to solve this problem and then Zama asks, “How do you build a house for her when you haven’t built one for me?” Yikes!

As it turns out there’s a lot of work that needs to be done in the Mungwe household. Mungwe suggests that Zama stay in the family home while he builds a house for Siwelile, but she refuses. Zama says she will only start thinking about this if she is reassured that she won’t be left behind.

Siwelile enters the conversation and Zama is left sceptical about the whole situation after meeting her. Zama already knows Siwelile, and was completely unaware of their relationship.

Siwelile and Zama have their own private conversation and in the end, Zama is shocked that at 19, Siwelile wants to get married and says she is still going to think about it. “I won’t say I’m pleased to meet you because I’m not,” Zama says as she ends the conversation and leaves.

Mnakwethu S2 airs every Tuesday on Mzansi Magic, channel 161 and express to DStv online.

All episodes will be available to stream on DStv online until 26 October 2021.

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