Bheki Langa met his wife in 2014 and paid lobola in 2017. His wife, Makhosazana Shelembe, was overjoyed when this happened as it brought happiness to a difficult time in her life. It now appears that she will have to go through another rough patch as we catch up with her husband, Langa, who explains the complicated situation he has caused for their family.
Why polygamy?
Langa explains that he has already paid lobola for a second wife, without his first wife knowing. Sharing why he wanted a second wife he explains that, “I’ve always loved the custom [of polygamy], so naturally, the idea popped in my head and I met someone and I imagine a future with them.”
This someone is Hlengiwe Sithole, and we find out that Langa and MaSithole have now been together for two years. So why the rush to be with her so soon?
It turns out Langa believes MaSithole’s ancestors have brought so much light to his life because when they met everything just fell into place. MaSithole lit up his life and his path and that made him realise she was the one. To Langa, polygamy was the only way to allow these blessings to remain in his life.
MaSithole the bully
When Langa expressed that things moved fast with MaSithole, resulting in him paying her lobola, we thought that was the extent of his rush. But then he informs Musa that they have a baby on the way as well. Surprisingly, Langa still believes that the lobola is the main issue and we later find out why.
In perhaps the most shocking meeting between Musa and a second wife on Mnakwethu, we are finally introduced to MaSithole and she surely makes a lasting impression.
When Musa explains that the reason they are meeting today is because Musa and Langa are going to ask permission from Langa’s first wife for him to have a second wife on behalf of MaSithole, she is hostile and responds, “He’s wrong to say he’s going to ask for permission on my behalf. He meant to say, the two of you are going to tell his wife that I’m in the picture now.”
Musa expresses his shock at this statement, showing that as far as MaSithole is concerned, she should not be asking for permission, rather, they should just tell Langa’s first wife that this is the way things are. We can’t help but be shocked as well.
The lobola issue
During the confrontation between Langa and MaShelembe, we find out that Langa has not been the best husband, for many other reasons. As MaShelembe expresses her concerns about their relationship we find out polygamy isn’t the only worry that the couple faces.
MaShelembe uses this space as an opportunity to let Musa know of the issues she and Langa already face, before touching on the polygamy. MaShelembe says that Langa isn’t a good husband: he leaves for weeks or months without informing her and doesn’t have money to support her.
This is not even the most shocking thing we learn about Langa’s first marriage. In a statement that shocks us all, MaShelembe shares, “Maybe I wouldn’t have fought you about this had you finished paying my lobola”, and we finally understand why the fact that Langa had paid MaSithole’s lobola appeared to be his biggest concern.
MaShelembe further shocks everyone by mentioning that she knows he has already paid his second wife’s lobola. It looks like Langa has been caught red-handed.
A possible resolution
As the couple, with the help of Musa, try to reach an understanding, Musa asks if Langa were to pay MaShelembe’s full lobola, would she be fine with the second wife.
“I would,” states MaShelembe. While it appears that a resolution is near, Langa disagrees with this arrangement and says, “I don’t know about that because there are a few things that I have planned already. I’m not willing to derail those plans because I should have brought MaSithole home already.”
MaShelembe sees this as a sign that Langa would be abandoning her and brings up the sacrifices she has made as a wife, only to be discarded by his decisions.
In a twist of events, teary-eyed MaShelembe shares, “Thats why I say I must rather leave, then you can stay with the one you love because you don’t show me love.”
Langa, not understanding the severity of the situation, insists that MaShelembe stay and meet MaSithole, even telling MaShelembe, “Please wipe those tears.”
The episode ends without any real resolution due to Langa’s shifting narrative once MaSithole arrives at the confrontation.
Instead of being left with a possible plan forward for the couple, we are left with the words from Musa: “Even though we’ve seen that taking a second wife is possible, I don’t think this is how it should be initiated… I don’t want [MaShelembe] to be a sister-wife to that bully.”
South Africa empathises with MaShelembe
MaShelembe’s tears touched many South Africans, who have since reached out their hands and into their pockets to help the heart-broken woman.
Many have offered to help her begin a new life with her children. From donating money to helping her find a job, South Africans came together to help a fellow citizen in need.
We are also thoroughly impressed at how Musa Mseleku handled this situation. He is pro-polygamy but in this situation he objected as he clearly saw that Langa was a man not fit to be in a polygamous marriage.
Mnakwethu S2 is available to stream on DStv online.
