Takeaway bride

A seemingly happy family reunion turns criminal when Mbali heads off to KZN with her aunt.

- LEZANNE JANSE VAN RENSBURG

Generations’ writing team has never shied away from difficult topics. From polygamy, to transgender, to inter-racial marriages, the soapie pushes viewers beyond their comfort zones. The current storyline involving orphaned teenager Mbali (Ditebogo Ledwaba) and gangster queen Lucy (Manaka Ranaka) is no different as Generations tackles the sensitive topic of ukuthwala – the illegal practice of abducting and forcing young girls into arranged marriages with much-older men.

UNHOLY REUNION

Earlier this month, Mbali was lured out of the orphanage with the promise of a better life in KwaZulu-Natal. Her mentor Lucy is excited for the youngster too – at first. “Lucy believes that Mbali is moving to KZN to live with an older aunt who is adopting her,” Manaka explains. “She doesn’t know that there’s a sinister plan for Mbali.” Lucy smells a rat when she tries to call her young friend but the calls go to voicemail. “Lucy starts to have a bad feeling,” says Manaka.

Convinced that the girl is in danger, Lucy and her thug hubby