Uthando Nes’thembu S5: Storylines that got us talking this season

This season of Uthando Nes’thembu has brought us more entertainment, emotions and tension than any previous season! It’s been a lot to handle and each episode of our favourite polygamous reality show just kept us dying for the next chapter.

Throughout the season there has been the increasingly large elephant in the room that is Musa Mseleku’s desire to expand his family. This has resulted in a number of clashes on the show, and even more heated discussions away from the TV screen on social media.

While this has been happening, Musa’s wives have each had their own challenges on their respective personal journeys of growth. From wanting to bear children, to being the object of bullying, it’s not an easy time to be in isithembu (polygamous marriage) right now!

Here are five storylines that got the country talking during the fifth season of this hit reality show. Binge all five seasons on Showmax.

A fifth wife for Mseleku?

Let’s start right with the biggest topic of contention throughout this season: Mseleku’s desire to take a fifth wife. It’s something that was hinted at during parts of the previous season, but this time around Musa did not beat around the bush – nor did his wives.

His wives believed that Musa, who has always been determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, should do as his father did, and remain married to four women. Mseleku, however, believed that he would only obtain even more greatness and success from his ancestors if he took on a fifth partner. It will be interesting to see if the wives cave in to this demand by the time the finale airs – more on that shortly!

Like father like son

Speaking of sons following in the footsteps of their fathers, Musa’s own son Mpumelelo appeared to be ready to begin his own journey of polygamy as we approached the end of the season. We learned about his rather tricky relationship situation – he has a girlfriend but also has a child with another woman – and he realised that the solution to his problems might be to marry them both and begin isithembu of their own.

MaNgwabe stands her ground

As insistent as Mseleku has been about wanting to take on another wife, so has one particular woman when it comes to standing her ground – uMaNgwabe. Mbali, AKA MaNgwabe, might be the most recent of the Mseleku wives, but she has been arguably the most outspoken when it comes to her refusal of Musa’s request.

Put it simply: she does not want another wife to join the family and by the looks of things, we wouldn’t be surprised if MaNgwabe is M.I.A in future seasons. She has been strongly admired for standing her ground and we don’t think she’s going to change her stance.

MaKhumalo’s motherhood battles

One of the supposed reasons for Mseleku’s bid to find a new wife has been the unfortunate situation which his third wife, MaKhumalo, has been facing not-so-silently. It has become an open secret over the past seasons that the MC and radio personality has been unable to bear children so far in her life. While that could certainly change, viewers have been extremely sympathetic to her battle especially as it seems as if she wants nothing more than to be a mother.

Read: MaKhumalo joins The Real Housewives of Durban S2

Tension following MaCele wherever she goes

As if this wasn’t enough drama to deal with during the season, one thing that has become clear is that it has created a lot more in-fighting between the four wives. While they may be united in their stance against a fifth wife, all unity flies out the window when it’s every woman for themselves. One woman who has had a tough time getting everyone on her side is MaCele. Social media users believe that whenever she walks into a room, a fight is not far behind! Some believe that she occasionally betrays the trust of the other wives by “running to Musa” and using her “first wife” status to get preferential treatment over the others.

Binge all episodes of Uthando Nes’thembu Season 5 now streaming on Showmax.