Living the Dream With Somizi Season 5 episode 3: Bahumi’s conflict

Living The Dream With Somizi Season 5 episode 3 shares perspectives of Somizi Mhlongo’s loved ones as his daughter Bahumi seeks to assume her paternal surname. Although her mother, Palesa Madisakwane, suggests that Bahumi carries out a naming ceremony, the 26-year-old Bahumi has other plans…

It’s the afternoon of Somizi’s 49th birthday and he receives a phone call from Bahumi. She is overwhelmed by the steps that are required to change her surname to Mhlongo and she needs her father’s advice.

If it was up to Bahumi, she would’ve long visited the Department of Home Affairs to take up her father’s surname but it’s more complicated than that. As Palesa and the Madisakwane elders reveal, Bahumi should first perform a ritual that will unite the Madisakwane and Mhlongo families, as well as their ancestors. During the call, Bahumi schedules a meeting with her Pops to discuss her reservations about the name-changing process.

On the other side of town, Palesa unpacks reasons why Bahumi still hasn’t changed her surname. Traditionally, when a baby is born out of wedlock, they take their maternal surname until a ceremony is held or their parents get married – neither took place in Bahumi’s regard.

As Palesa recalls, Somizi came out as gay soon after Bahumi’s birth, which put a pause on the entire situation. “[After giving birth], Somizi’s [late mother Mary Twala] said: ‘My child, you can see how Somizi is. He isn’t like other boys. Give us the child and go on with your life’,” says Palesa, adding that she was confused and distressed following her split with Somizi. “I would boast and tell people in my township: ‘My boyfriend is in the movie Sarafina!’. Poor me,” says Palesa.

Meanwhile, Somizi’s mates send him bouquets of flowers for his birthday, while his musician friend Vusi Nova takes things to the next level by treating Somizi to a day at the spa and giving him a personalised printed jacket. That’s only the beginning, as in episode 4, Somizi will celebrate his star-studded 49th birthday in style.

Watch the trailer of Living the Dream With Somizi Season 5 episode 3

It’s the week of media extraordinaire Somizi Mhlongo’s 49th birthday and while he organises a party with his celebrity friends, his daughter Bahumi is conflicted. She wants to change her surname to Mhlongo, but she’s overwhelmed when she is told by her elders that she needs to carry out a traditional ceremony before she takes the Mhlongo last name. As we’ve seen in previous episodes, Bahumi is opposed to performing any rituals.

Bahumi’s head is muddled and for clarity she visits her grandmother Mary Twala’s grave. “If I could speak to my grandmother about everything that’s happening in my life, I’d probably tell her that I’m confused,” says the emotional Bahumi, before adding, “I wish everything was such a seamless process.”

Because it’s Somgaga’s birthday, he receives gifts from loved ones, including a spa date with his musician friend Vusi Nova, and Somizi pours his heart out during their chat.