According to IOL, the latest episodes of “The Bala Family” have struck a chord with viewers, bringing unresolved family tensions into the spotlight. At the center of the drama is Phelo Bala, who is struggling with family expectations, accusations about his behaviour, and a desire to step away from the “Bala” brand.
Siblings Zwai and Pinky haven’t shied away from confronting Phelo’s alleged drinking issues and his tendency to share family matters with outsiders. In a surprising revelation, Phelo shared that he often feels like an outsider within the family after learning he doesn’t share the same father as his siblings. This discovery has fueled his wish to carve a path outside the Bala name.
Zwai, however, stood firm on the matter, insisting that Phelo cannot use the family’s name for business purposes. A viral clip on social media captured Zwai’s stance in a 2019 email, where he explained:
“Dear Phelo, your business opportunities were and are still highly due to the strength of the brand Bala, which you were afforded access to… To cut to the chase, I think it is only fair of me to afford you the opportunity to willingly surrender the use of brand Bala for commercial use without taking legal steps.”
In an interview with Drum, Zwai clarified his perspective, explaining that the show is more than a display of family feuds. “It is not about being the eldest and wanting to tell people what to do or to control them in any way,” Zwai said. “I am definitely not a bully… It’s about our family.” For Zwai, the issue of Phelo using the Bala name commercially is about protecting a legacy built over many years. “This is not tough love, it is business,” he added.
While fans have had mixed reactions, with some calling Zwai “controlling,” Zwai explained his intent to protect what the family has worked hard to build. “This is not a popularity contest; it’s about our family,” he stated.
#TheBalaFamily
If below the belt was ever a thing 👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿.
There’s a lot under the rug🤞🏿…. There’s no root cause but many root causes 🤞🏿🤞🏿 pic.twitter.com/G10ew2yOsY
— Sihle (@brainzbhungane) October 27, 2024
