South Africa’s favourite polygamist family is back! Musa Mseleku and his four wives are set to return to Mzansi Magic screens with a brand-new season of their hit reality show, Uthando Nes’thembu.
This time, viewers are in for a treat with a whopping 24 episodes, airing twice a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays. This expanded format, according to M-Net director for local entertainment channels Shirley Adonisi, promises a deeper dive into the family’s lives and the inevitable drama.
Adonisi stated: “We listened to your feedback and are thrilled to offer more episodes than in previous seasons. No more agonising cliff-hangers. Now with two episodes dropping each week, you can dive right back into the heart of the action.”
The new season, premiering on 22 January at 8pm, will pick up where the last season left off – with the long-awaited introduction of Mseleku’s fifth wife. Last season ended with a tantalising glimpse of the mystery woman, her face obscured.
Now, the promo video reveals her identity as Samke Khwela, although Khwela has since made her social media profiles private. The introduction of Khwela is set to significantly alter the family dynamic. The show’s trailer shows Mseleku placing a traditional Zulu hat, isicholo, on her head, a symbolic gesture of acceptance into the family.
The eighth season promises a rollercoaster of emotions and conflicts. First wife, MaCele, will navigate the complexities of welcoming a new addition to the family. Meanwhile, second wife MaYeni will grapple with her feelings of being sidelined, while third wife MaKhumalo faces her own personal struggles amidst the significant changes. Fourth wife MaNgwabe finds herself at a crossroads, questioning whether to remain in her marriage.
The anticipation surrounding the new season has been immense, with social media buzzing since the release of the trailer. Entertainment commentator Jabu Macdonald shared the introduction clip on X (formerly Twitter), sparking a flurry of comments.
The new Uthando Nesthembu Season 8 intro has been released, revealing Mseleku’s “5th wife.”
Season 8 premieres on 22 January 2025 at 8 pm on Mzansi Magic. pic.twitter.com/O6kL3gsefm
— Jabulani Macdonald ⚡️ (@Jabu_Macdonald) December 11, 2024
One user, @CandiceDXi, tweeted: “I’m ready to defend MaCele already.”
Another, @She_gawu, expressed excitement, writing: “A whole wife. Congratulations ntombi.”
The comments highlight the strong emotional connection viewers have developed with the family and their ongoing saga. Other users commented on wives who had previously threatened to leave the family but remain.
@TrickyRedDevs wrote, “Others said they would leave but they are still here.”
And @Sun_shynn simply stated: “Number 5 finally succeeded!!! Tuning in.”
Mseleku’s pursuit of a fifth wife has been a long and often contentious journey, documented over several seasons. He previously stated in an interview with TshisaLIVE that he was awaiting his existing wives' approval: “I’m asking my wives to allow me to take a fifth wife. It’s no longer a question to me. I’m just waiting for them to say yes or no. And I’m doing it the modern way. If it was before, I’d be telling them that I’m taking.”
Now, with Khwela’s arrival, the dynamics within the family are poised for a dramatic shift, promising viewers a season filled with tension, emotional confrontations, and unexpected twists.
The expanded episode count ensures viewers won't miss a moment of the unfolding drama. The new season promises to deliver even more captivating insights into the complexities of polygamy and the challenges faced by this extraordinary family.
