‘The father wasn’t there’: Sonia Mbele exposes son’s deadbeat dad

South African actress Sonia Mbele has recently opened up about parenting as seen in an x (formally known as Twitter) video shared on 30 November. In the clip, she shared a story of a time she bumped into her deadbeat son’s father at a supermarket in Joburg.

YHO! SONIA MBELE ON PARENTING WITH HER EX
The former Generations star got into detail as she shared a real story of the time she ran into her deadbeat baby daddy whom she had been with for almost a decade before their split. She told the story during an interview on the King David Studio podcast.

Mbele went down memory lane and recalled that she was at a grocery store in Melville, picking up a few stuff for her son who was nine months old at the time. She said she ran into her son’s father who had been standing behind her in the shopping aisle and recalled him taking a glance at her shopping items. She said he must have realised that her items were going to cost him an arm and a leg had he offered to pay for them because what he did next was jaw-dropping.

He is said to have ditched the aisle and went to the cigarette counter to pay for his goods. Thereafter, he returned to where he had left Mbele and offered her a bag of biltong which he decided to purchase for his son who didn’t even have teeth yet.

“The father wasn’t there. This is a man I was with for nine years by the way,” she said.

Yho. pic.twitter.com/Qr5YQs2mEl

— Mageza ngobisi (Fresh Sdudla) (@ZamaNdosiCele18) November 29, 2023

‘I WAS A BET’: THE ACTRESS DIVES INTO HER MARRIAGE
Earlier this year, during her interview on Dineo On S*X n Suff, the Blood & Water actress, Sonia Mbele opened up about her 2021 divorce from her ex, Leslie Sedibe. In the interview, she unpacked one of the things that she said led to her divorce. She revealed that she was blindsided by her ex who allegedly made a bet with his friends that he would get her.

“Then you find out that actually you were a bet. They saw you on TV – it was four people; it was on your marks, get set – go!… I was a bet,” she said.

“While I was there [in her marriage] and waking up to the drawn of who are you, who did I marry, and living with that person every day and realising this is a MFer…There was a time when we did not speak for years, and I am comfortable talking about this now. But there was a time when I wasn’t,” she said.

Sonia Mbele finally appears in court

After two no-shows at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court, former ‘Generations’ actress and now businesswoman, Nomthandazo Sonia Mbele finally showed up.

On October 5, Mbele was granted by the court the last opportunity to attend the proceedings. Mbele and her fellow directors of Real Housewives of South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Yolisa Gqunta and Rebone Sesing had been charged for contravening the Tax Administration Act.

On Friday, Mbele made it court and paid an admission of guilt fine and did not contest the allegations levelled against her. Mbele paid R41,000 – R1,000 per each count.

She was facing 41 counts of contravening the Tax Administration Act; they failed to submit Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), the company (The Real Housewives of South Africa) tax returns, between the period of 2019 to 2022.

“I, ‘The Real Housewives of South Africa(Pty) with Reg No: 2017/413908/07, hereby admit guilt to the charges specified in Counts 1 to 41, as mentioned in the attached charge sheet, and tender the admission of guilt fine referred to in the charge sheet,” read the acknowledgement of guilt in the court papers.

On her last missed court appearance, Mbele had submitted a medical certificate for the second time, citing ill health.

In a statement, Mbele explained that she was currently still getting treatment for work burnout which had turned chronic.

Ex-Generations actress Sonia Mbele breaks her silence on tax evasion charges

Well-known South African actress and businesswoman, Sonia Mbele has broken her silence on the tax evasion charges against her.

This after the actress and businesswoman failed to appear in the Johannesburg magistrate’s court with her former business partners on Wednesday on charges of failing to submit tax returns to Sars.
“The directors in relation to their company, Real Housewives of South Africa (Rhosa), are facing 42 counts of not filing company income tax from 2019 to 2022, not filing their VAT returns from 2020 to 2022 and not filing their pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) returns from 2020 until 2022,” said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

On Thursday, Mbele, through spokesperson Thato Malindi, said she wanted to “get this hurdle out of the way and proceed with her new company, Sonia Mbele Films”, adding that she believed Rhosa closed down in 2019.

“In 2019 Sonia Mbele left Rhosa … Now she is forced to attend these proceedings without any knowledge of the company still being operational …

“Sonia further made her own arrangements to settle her portion of the amount,” Malindi said.

In court on Wednesday, the prosecutor said Mbele had submitted a medical certificate booking her off until October 3. However, the magistrate would not accept it.

“Sonia also submitted a doctor’s note to the NPA and it was taken into record. Sonia is still not well and went yet again today to the doctor for further check-up, but she is still working to settle her name,” Malindi said.

Sonia Mbele Responds to Rumors Of Dating 31-Year-Old Married Man

Sonia Mbele is reportedly dating the 31-year-old businessman Matome Sefalafala, who is married to Meo Mochadibane. Controversial Musa Khawula revealed that the TV producer and actress wrecked the marriage of the businessman as the wife moved out of the matrimonial home. Speaking to ZiMoja, a shocked Sonia said the report is false, as she is still single, while focused on growing her career.

“It’s all fake news, fabrication,” she says.

“Firstly, I was not at the EFF rally over the weekend. I didn’t go to the after-party either. I was shooting the reunion of The Real Housewives,” she says. “Me? Never! I don’t know where all of this is coming from. I won’t entertain it,” she says.

Sonia acknowledges knowing the businessman. “I know him, but I am not dating him. That is far-fetched,” she says.

“I am very open about my life, but I don’t like false information about me being written. Rather call me and ask me, but don’t make false accusations is something else.”

“I’m in a very good place in my life. I don’t want drama,” she says. “The show has been doing well. There is a lot that transpired.”

Sonia Mbele opens up on her Failed Marriage

Although the Blood & Water actress, Sonia Mbele previously opened up about her 2021 divorce from her ex, Leslie Sedibe during her interview on Dineo On S*X n Suff, she gave more details about what led to her divorce. Sonia Mbele shared her experience of being married to her ex husband, former South African Football Association (SAFA) and attorney, Leslie Sedibe.

“While I was there [in her marriage] and waking up to the drawn of who are you, who did I marry, and living with that person every day and realising this is a MFer,” she said

Mbele says she hoped and prayed that people, especially her children would see the kind of person she was married to. She kept silent and hoped her children could see Sedibe for the man that she knew him to be. I was] praying that one day my children, not everyone else, but my children wake up to see him for who and what he really is and that day happened,” she said.

At 15 years old, Mbele’s son confided in her and shared that he no longer wanted to live in the same house with his father. “At 15, he was like ‘I’m done. And for me, I was like, ‘thank you, Jesus”, she added.

Sonia Mbele said she wished that people could be able to see the red flags in time. She agreed with Dineo who had emphasised that the aim of the interview was only to share experiences and in no way, to bash anyone.

“There was a time when we did not speak for years, and I am comfortable talking about this now. But there was a time when I wasn’t,” she said. The renowned actress said she is willing to talk now because her children are all grown up and old enough to assess and decide for themselves. “What I am saying now will no longer be a shocker to them,” she said.

We walk in [a marriage] with the intention to stay and make it work. And then that’s what happened to this girl [talking about herself]. Slowly you find out these things that are slowly depreciating your love and slowly taking away from you,” she added.

Mbele shared a story of her ex tricking her into signing a document that gave him all the rights to their home. She also said that she found out that he had seen her on TV before meeting her and had placed a bet with his friends that he would get her

“Then you find out that actually you were a bet. They saw you on TV – it was four people; it was on your marks, get set – go!…I was a bet,” she said.

Sonia Mbele’s son is now a free man

Sonia Mbele’s son, Donell Mbele has been labeled a free man after the assault case opened against him has been thrown out of court.

In 2022, Reokeditswe Makete claimed Donell assaulted him and shared photos revealing the injuries sustained from the assault. He ripped my nail off today while he was hitting me and dragging me around the house. This man has threatened to kill me.” she wrote.

Reokeditswe failure to appear at the Randburg Magistrates Court five times, made the court strike the case off the roll. Donell’s legal representative, Tiyani Vukeya, and the ex-girlfriend admitted that she was the first to assault Donell, and she even damaged his phone.

However, the actress’ son retaliated in self-defense. Reokeditswe reportedly told the investigating officer and the prosecutor she didn’t want to proceed with the case anymore. Donell Mbele says he’s learnt his lessons from the event, and he also talked about how he feels after the case got thrown out of court.

“I would not say I am happy, but I am relieved because there are many men who are being punished in jail for crimes they did not commit because of bitter and revengeful partners, my heart goes out to them,” he said.

“I have also learnt to control my anger and myself, even when I am protecting myself. I would also like to plead with our brothers and sisters to let go when the relationships becomes toxic. A lover is not supposed to be your parent, let’s try and deal with our past issues without making them a lover’s responsibility or problem,” he added.

Actress Sonia Mbele under fire after speaking out on SA electricity crisis

Mzansi star, Sonia Mbele is suffering the same fate as millions of South Africans; a heatwave, power cuts, and anger directed at the government and the president.

The actress, producer, and businesswoman shared her frustrations in a Twitter rant that trended on Saturday, 21 January.

But while Sonia did her best to articulate her level of annoyance, she found herself on the receiving end of harsh criticism.

On Saturday morning, Sonia Mbele took to her Twitter account to bemoan an extended power outage.

She posted, tagging President Cyril Ramaphosa: “Can someone PLEASE explain to me why I’m load shedding from 4pm on Friday, 20 January, and I’m waking up on Saturday the 21st at 5:30 am to prepare for an UNVEILING and there’s still no electricity! @CyrilRamaphosa WHAT THE F**K”.

Can someone PLEASE explain to me why I’m load shedding from 4pm Friday the 20th of Jan and I’m waking up on Saturday the 21st at 5:30am to prepare for an UNVEILING and there’s still no f#<£€n electricity!!! @CyrilRamaphosa WHAT THE FUCK?️?️?️?️?️?️

— Sonia Mbele (@TheeSonia) January 21, 2023

She added: “Guys, I’ve been sooooo quiet cause I literally don’t do POLITICS. But. I. Am. Done. With. This. Bullsh*t.”

“The thing is, I know I’m not the only one that’s frustrated. So please, SATAFRICA, don’t think I don’t see you! I just feel maybe it’s time for a “F**k It Political Party”!

Guys I’ve been sooooo?quite cause I literally don’t do POLITICS. But. I. Am. Done. With. This. Bullshit.

— Sonia Mbele (@TheeSonia) January 21, 2023

The thing is ?I know I’m not the only one that’s frustrated ?so please SATAFRICA don’t think I don’t see you! I just feel maybe ??‍♀️ it’s time for a “Fuck It Political Party”!

— Sonia Mbele (@TheeSonia) January 21, 2023

By Saturday evening, Sonia updated her Twitter followers that there was still no electricity”.

She added sarcastically: “Can someone give me directions to the airport?”

Even Back Up is not working ? can someone give me directions to the airport ? pic.twitter.com/nSE3cHiruA

— Sonia Mbele (@TheeSonia) January 21, 2023

But while Sonia Mbele tweeted what many were thinking and feeling, her stance to “stay out of politics” rubbed many tweeps the wrong way.

@Terrypedia: “We cannot be apolitical when there are political consequences in our daily lives. We are not saying people should come here and endorse a certain political party. Being apolitical is a luxury.”

@NkuliMbundu: “Politics influences every aspect of our lives. Elected leaders dictate our fate using our money – economic & social policies that touch all aspects of life. We can not afford not to get involved.”

@Siya_ZAR: “‘I don’t do politics’ is the reason why South Africa is in a mess today, yall let everyone else & anyone else do the politics for you. Politics affect everyone directly & indirectly.”

Sonia Mbele As Blood & Water’s Lisbeth Steals The Spotlight

Blood & Water season three is now available on Netflix and it is clearly giving when looking at the reviews on the latest season. Gone are the seasons of a slow burn as we have learned that Ama Qamata as Puleng Khumalo and Khosi Ngema as Fikile Mbhele are biological sisters. Season three was teased with the season two finale as it introduced Sonia Mbele as the then-upcoming season three antagonist Lisbeth Molapo.

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A post shared by Sonia Mbele (@thee_sonia)

At the time the character showcased her ruthlessness as she kidnapped Xolile Tshabalala as Nwabisa Mbhele. But in season three, Sonia who recently was under scrutiny following the abuse allegations leveled against her son, Donell, and the manner in which she handled it, seemed to flourish as she once again reminded all of us why she is considered one of the best actresses in the country.

Season three of Blood & Water, like past seasons, had a total of six episodes. But in those six episodes, this season was filled with unexpected twists and turns which for those that have not watched it just yet, it is better not to spoil the viewing experience with spoiler alerts.

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But one character that has everyone on the edge of their seats had to be Lisbeth Molapo. While we might have been shown that she might have a mean streak, this season proved just how ruthless and dangerous Lisbeth is. So much so that even Sonia Mbele took to her Twitter to state that she is scared of the antagonistic character that she played.

Lisbeth scares me wtf ?? #BloodAndWater

— Sonia Mbele (@TheeSonia) November 25, 2022

Seemingly, viewing audiences felt the same as they have taken to the timeline throughout the couple of days following the availability of season three to suggest the same. More than that, tweeps and viewers alike complimented Mbele on her acting ability as her new character has managed for some to change people’s longstanding perception of calling Mbele by her iconic Generations’ character Ntombi to now Lisbeth.

Not a moment goes by where Lisbeth doesn't scare me that women is so sick… #BloodAndWater pic.twitter.com/OORtKwW3ZW

— tiso (@zukosflamess) November 26, 2022

Will there be a season four of Blood & Water?

Currently, Blood & Water stands as the longest running South African Netflix original series with three seasons and a total of 18 episodes. While reviews on season two were polarising as the season hinged on the obvious not so obvious revelation that FIkile and Puleng were actually biological sisters.

Season three was action packed and has received more favourable reviews. As such, it is not far-fetched that Netflix would greenlight the series for a fourth and fifth season. This is as most Netflix original shows have a lifespan of five seasons when it is a ratings and critical success.

Add the fact that viewers are already yearning for a fourth season and given the cliffhanger of season three.It is not like the series itself did not lend itself to the possibility of returning in November 2023 with a new season.

I would really love to see this ship sailing in season 4 #BloodAndWater pic.twitter.com/HzhMBrixQh

— ?miss BeeNavy⚓?? (@kadibetsow1) November 27, 2022

#BloodAndWater is probably the biggest local series on Netflix so far???and it is currently trending in some countries globally ????
Season 3 might break the record ???? pic.twitter.com/fyiUoTrH8f

— ???????? ?????????⚡️ (@Jabu_Macdonald) November 27, 2022

Sonia Mbele Under Fire For Handing Her ‘Abusive’ Son To Rehab & Not Jail

Concerns and mixed emotions have risen following actress and businesswoman Sonia Mbele handing over his abusive son, Donell Mbele to rehab instead of jail. Tweeps have found her statement very contradicting after she urged the law to take its course.

After dubbed the mother of the year following her heartfelt statement that moved the masses after her son was exposed as an abuser. Sonia Mbele finds herself in water hot for contradicting herself and doing the total opposite when she took her son, Donell Mbele to rehab instead of prison.

Although tweeps have mixed emotions following this decision, other tweets have since criticized Sonia Mbele for protecting her son by sheltering him at rehab. Tweeps are certainly not jumping for joy at this decision as they feel as though the victim, Reokeditswe Makete failed in the process.

“Instead of handing over her son to the nearest police station, Sonia Mbele handed over Donell Sedibe to rehab while his ex-girlfriend Reokeditswe Makete is left numb. Prison is for poor people, the privileged will always find excuses” wrote Mans NOT Barry Roux.

Instead of handing over her son to the nearest police station, Sonia Mbele handed over Donell Sedibe to rehab while his ex girlfriend Reokeditswe Makete is left numb. Prison is for poor people, the privileged will always find excuses. pic.twitter.com/hjOtUROWDH

— Man’s NOT Barry Roux  (@AdvoBarryRoux) November 26, 2022

In the same breath, other tweets have come to Sonia Mbele’s defense and claim that if the victim has not opened any criminal charges, obviously her abuser will continue to roam the streets. Tweeps are saying that it is not entirely Sonia Mbele’s fault but also Reokeditswe Makete, who at this point has not filed a case against, Donell Mbele.

“She did right if Omphile wants open the case she must do that it’s not the responsibility of the mother to open the case it should be the person who has been abused, Sonia is doing the right thing to correct the mindset of the boy by sending him to rehab case can still be opened,” wrote Siya Mfundisi

Instead of handing over her son to the nearest police station, Sonia Mbele handed over Donell Sedibe to rehab while his ex girlfriend Reokeditswe Makete is left numb. Prison is for poor people, the privileged will always find excuses. pic.twitter.com/hjOtUROWDH

— Man’s NOT Barry Roux  (@AdvoBarryRoux) November 26, 2022

“If the victim hasn’t opened or for whatever reasons did not open a case, a member of the public can institute a private prosecution in terms of section 7 and 8 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Don’t hlanyazisa nje if ungazi bafo” wrote Mathews Ntanzi.

Uyahlanya, the victim hasn’t laid a charge, what did you want the mother to do? Anyway, if you can go and open a charge, he can be fetched from that rehab to the cells, it’s not@like he is no longer reachable

— ??Wonderful???? (@Mlandzeni1) November 26, 2022

Meanwhile, some tweeps have urged Sonia Mbele to hand over her son to the police, irrespective of whether a criminal case has been opened against him or not.

“Haai. Sithule siyabuka .lol hand yr child? Yhooo” wrote Mduduzi Manyandi

Would you hand over your son?sometimes os easy to tweet when issues are not in your family.yes the boy messed up and police must arrest him if a case has been opened.but to blame Sonia for the shenanigans her son is disingenuous.

— Dr Gray (@DrGray12072793) November 26, 2022

Sonia Mbele reveals her son, Donell is already in rehab

Sonia Mbele has revealed that her son, Donell is already in rehab.

This is coming after Donell was accused of abusing his girlfriend and baby mama.

Sonia then reacted to the allegation stating that her son will face the music.

She had revealed that she would take her son to rehab and also to allow the law to take its course.

Speaking to Drum magazine, she revealed that her son is already in rehab and that the incident happened at the beginning of the month, on November 4.

“This did not happen on Tuesday, it happened on 4 November, and I immediately sent my son to rehab the following day. So, by the time this became public, he was already away.”

She then clarified that she was not talking about her ex husband, Lesley Sedibe when she mentioned the line: “I refuse to raise a man like his father”

“I did not mention names, I did not speak about my ex-husband. I would never do that to Lesley. I was talking about Donell’s father but people just I assumed I was talking about Lesley. I met Lesley when I was 28 years old. What I am not going to do though, is sit down with people and go through the maths,” she added.

In her statement, Sonia said she is against what Donell did and would take measures to rectify the situation.

“I do not stand for, support or condone such [a] stance. These are struggles I’ve spoken about extensively in my early career to encourage other women in similar situations.”