WILL SHE LAST? Musa Mseleku's 5th wife faces the ultimate test and potential war in Uthando Nes'thembu's new season

South Africa’s favourite polygamist, Musa Mseleku, has finally introduced his fifth wife, Samukelisiwe Khwela, to the nation. The much-anticipated unveiling took place during the premiere of season 8 of Uthando Nes'thembu, which aired on Mzansi Magic on Wednesday, 22 January.

The episode offered viewers a glimpse into the complexities of Mseleku's already established polygamous family dynamic and the preparations undertaken to integrate Khwela into this unique household.

The episode centred on a conversation between Mseleku and his new wife, where he laid out the ground rules and prepared her for the challenges inherent in joining a family of four other wives. Mseleku candidly explained that she might encounter instances of coldness or exclusion from some of his existing wives. He pre-emptively addressed potential conflict, advising Khwela to remain resolute and not to expect his intervention in any disputes.

Mseleku’s advice to his fifth wife was direct and pragmatic: “And I’m not there to fight your battles. You're a grown woman. I will not even comfort you. I will just say, why are you crying? Dry your tears and move on. My wives will watch how I treat her. Number two, they’ll want to see if I coddle her. And If I did, that would make it seem like she’s better than them. So, I can’t do that. One of them might ill-treat you but don’t expect me to intervene. If I intervene, it'll make you seem more special than her,” he explained.

He stressed the importance of Khwela understanding her position within the family structure, emphasising that she is not superior to his other wives.

"I chose her to be part of this family. She's not better than others. I can see that she's brave, and she'll be able to stand for this because there are some women I've dated before her, but as soon as they saw the Mseleku family talking about their matter, they ran for the hills and never looked back. She's brave, but the other thing I love about her is that she's very intelligent. I think she's the kind of person we need at home. Someone who will come in, tell her story and stand for what she wants,” Mseleku said.

Khwela, displaying a confident demeanour, expressed her belief in her ability to navigate the challenges ahead. “I’m pretty sure that if there's a challenge, I’m sure that I'll be able to overcome it, and I'll be able to solve them,” she confidently stated.

Mzansi Magic, the broadcaster of Uthando Nes'thembu, confirmed that Khwela will not be conducting interviews at this time. This decision likely reflects a strategy to maintain the narrative arc of the show and allow the unfolding of the family dynamics to play out organically on screen.

The introduction of Khwela marks a significant development in the Mseleku family saga. The show has consistently captivated audiences with its intimate portrayal of a polygamous family, exploring the complexities of relationships, cultural norms, and the challenges of balancing multiple partnerships. Season 8 promises to continue this tradition, offering viewers a front-row seat to the integration of Khwela into the already established family structure and the inevitable adjustments and dynamics that will follow.