More episodes, more drama from the Mseleku household as Mzansi Magic extends the season with four more episodes.
Image: X
The hit reality series “Uthando Nes’thembu” has officially been extended with four additional episodes, meaning season 9 is not yet over and will now air until May 14.
It’s hardly surprising. The show, which follows polygamist Musa Mseleku and his wives, has been trending almost every week since the beginning of the ninth season.
Viewers have been asking for more episodes in a week and have been locked in, dissecting every episode and even going back to earlier seasons to make sense of how the family dynamics got to this point.
This season in particular has felt different. There’s been a noticeable shift in the household, with growing tension around Musa’s leadership and the impact of bringing in a fifth wife.
The wives, Busisiwe “MaCele” Mseleku, Nokukhanya “MaYeni” Mseleku, Thobile “MaKhumalo” Mseleku and Mbali “MaNgwabe” Mseleku, have been more vocal about their frustrations, and the cracks in the family structure are playing out in real time.
At the centre of many of these conversations is Mbali, Musa’s fourth wife.
When the new season started, viewers were surprised to see her still in the marriage after previously expressing doubts when the idea of a fifth wife came up.
Mbali 'MaNgwabe' Mseleku, Musa Mseleku's fourth wife.
Image: Supplied
Now, she’s been actively trying to work through things while also standing firm in who she is.
Speaking about her experience on the show, Mbali said one of the biggest positives has been showing a different side of polygamy.
“My favourite thing about being on the show is that people get to see different sides of a polygamous family. For me personally, it’s also a chance to show that I am an individual within this marriage,” she said.
She added that viewers have seen she’s someone who speaks her mind and stands up for what she believes in.
However, being on such a widely watched show comes with its challenges. She admitted that people often judge her based on what they see on screen, without understanding the full context behind certain moments.
“Sometimes the criticism can be harsh, especially on social media,” she said.
As one of the wives, maintaining individuality in a polygamous setup is something she’s intentional about.
“For me, it’s important to remember that being a wife is just one part of who I am. I’m also a mother, a professional and a woman with my own views and values.”
She added, “I don’t believe in losing myself in the marriage, so I make sure I keep my own identity and voice.”
Mbali also pointed out that her direct way of communicating is sometimes misunderstood. What some viewers read as anger or negativity is, for her, simply honesty. Rather than pretend everything is perfect, she chooses to express how she really feels.
At the same time, she wishes certain parts of her life could remain private, especially when it comes to her children.
“I would love for my children to have more privacy. Being on television means that a lot of family dynamics become public, and sometimes those are things that should stay within the family.”