Denying the DNA

Bridgette sabotages Nazeem’s DNA test to protect her mom.

- ELRI BOUCHER

Nazeem (Irvine van der Merwe) is determined to prove that he is the son of offscreen character Henry Jacobs. But his half-sister Bridgette (Denise Newman) cannot allow it under any circumstances. “The pain it will cause to her mother Mrs. J (Theresa Sedras) will be enormous because Mrs, J has idolised her husband,” says Denise, and if the tests prove he is Henry’s son, it means that Henry had an affair. That’s why Bridgette sabotages the DNA test, but Nazeem won’t accept the disappointing results that easily.

SECOND OPPORTUNITY

Bridgette’s sister Lee-Ann (Portia Joel) also struggles to accept the revelation that Nazeem is possibly related to her. When he asks her for a DNA sample, she is unsure. “Nazeem pleads with Lee-Ann, telling her that he just wants to know the truth, but Lee-Ann is not convinced that ‘the truth’ would be for the best,” says Irvine. The thought of depriving him of the chance to find his real family gnaws at Lee-Ann and after some introspection, she gives in and offers to provide a DNA swab.

SISTERS AT WAR