The Wife: Grief-stricken Zulu family is out for blood

The death of Mpande and Nkosana’s son, Mvelo, on The Wife series on Showmax has left a gaping hole in everyone’s heart. Episodes 25-27 sees the Zulu family in their most vulnerable state; the tragedy also reveals a side of Hlomu we’ve never seen before.

Look: Hlomu The Wife, where Zandile takes her place in the Zulu family

Update: Want to know more? Watch the behind-the-scenes special The Wife: Behind the Veil. Plus, binge all of Season 1 and 2 of The Wife on Showmax.

Get out before it’s too late

They’ve been many red flags that Hlomu has ignored in the name of love. But this particular incident is one red flag Hlomu cannot afford to ignore. Hlomu’s life was spared after her traditional wedding was sprayed with bullets resulting in many fatalities that include Mpande and little Mvelo, whom she considered as her son.

Her twin-brother Langa begs Hlomu to leave the Zulus. He’s witnessed far too many moments that have left his sister broken because of Mqhele and his family, and this massacre is the main reason he advises his sister to leave and never turn back.

“Is this the life you signed up for? You need to set yourself free from this trap my sister. I don’t want to collect your spirit here. I don’t want you to come back home in a coffin,” says Langa.

His words fall on deaf ears, Hlomu isn’t planning on going anywhere. And just like the Zulu brothers, she is also out for revenge. During their first dinner after the incident, Hlomu tells the brothers that she wants every individual responsible for the massacre to be killed and buried in shallow graves without any dignity.

“I want you to bring me their heads, all of them. Before you kill them, you must make them feel the pain we’re feeling. I want cows to graze on top of them,” says Hlomu.

Working with the enemy

Nkosana works tirelessly at finding the culprits responsible for his younger brother and son’s death. He calls on the assistance of Dlakadla to help him find the killers; little does he know that working with Dlakadla is a great mistake. Dlakadla is not only implicated in this tragedy but is also the one behind the death of Nkosana’s parent’s back in the 90s.

While listening to the radio, the massacre makes headline news. Nkosana is caught off-guard when he learns who was responsible for his parent’s death. A man by the name of SJ Vilakazi is mentioned; SJ Vilakazi is Dlakadla’s real name which he changed after the mob killings of the Zulu parents. The name rings a bell, but Nkosana can’t seem to put his finger on who SJ Vilakazi is. Little does he know that SJ is right under his nose.

What therapist?

Like the rest of the family, Mqhele does not know how to deal with all of the pain he’s going through. The only way he knows how to deal with the pain is to inflict pain and as always, it is Hlomu who bears the brunt of his rage.

During another intimate moment, Mqhele is rough with his wife. Hlomu yells at how painful the intercourse is. When done, Mqhele just rolls over, dresses up and lights a cigarette.

“You need therapy, Zulu. My body isn’t your playground. You need to find another outlet,” says Hlomu.

Mqhele finds the therapy suggestion insulting.

“I’m not going to give some stranger my money – and then tell them my private affairs,” responds Mqhele.

Mqhele further tells his wife that if she can’t handle sex with him, then they must just stop having it.

Ashes to ashes dust to dust

The day of the funeral has finally arrived and even on this day, Nkosana is hard at work at avenging the death of his loved ones. The Zulu brothers get a lead on those who attacked the family and a lead on who SJ Vilakazi is, but instead of taking all his brothers with him, Nkosana leaves with Dlakadla and Nqoba.

While torturing the lead, Nkosana asks the man who Vilakazi is and as the man is about to speak, Dlakadla shoots him – an act that angers both Nkosana and Nqoba.

“Dlakadla, I call the shots here!” yells Nkosana.

But his yelling is trivial as Dlakadla lives to see another day. Meanwhile, Mpande and Mvelo are given a dignified farewell.

Mqoqi can’t bring himself to look at his brother lying in the coffin – of all the brothers, he’s mentally struggling with the loss the most.

An incident occurs at the dinner table where Mqoqi tells his brother’s that he is not hungry, but that Mpande can have his food. That dinner incident occurs a day after Mpande’s death.

The funeral ends with Nkosana pleading with the community of Mbuba Village to help his family find the killers. Now the question is, will the community do so?

The Wife streams exclusively on Showmax with new episodes added every Thursday. Season 3 landing on 10 November 2022.