In a quiet corner of a podcast studio, nestled between microphones and bottles of water, a revolutionary act is taking place. Gabriel Mapfunde, a calm and articulate Zimbabwean entrepreneur, is sitting beside two of his four wives, ready to pull back the curtain on a life most people can only whisper about. Flanked by Elizabeth and Tanatswa, with his other two wives, Makanaka and Maita, waiting in the wings, Gabriel is here to dismantle every stereotype you have about polygamy. What unfolded on the DJ Ollah 7 podcast wasn't just an interview; it was a masterclass in a family dynamic so complex and controversial, it challenges the very definition of marriage itself.
From bombshells about their shared bedroom life to a shocking breastfeeding pact, the Mapfunde family tells all, revealing a world where jealousy is managed, finances are communal, and one man stands at the center of it all.
The Mediator: How One Man Prevents a "Family Feud"
The first question on anyone’s mind is simple: how do they not end up in a constant, simmering state of war? According to the family, the secret lies in their unique communication structure. All roads lead to Gabriel.
“A lot of women's issues are not even issues,” Gabriel states, explaining that he acts as the central mediator for all conflicts. His first wife, Elizabeth, elaborates on the system. Instead of confronting each other, the wives bring their grievances directly to him. "If she feels what I've done is not right, she should come to me," Gabriel says, outlining his role as the family's judge and jury.
Elizabeth admits this strategy can "backfire," as Gabriel then becomes the sole arbiter of disputes. She describes it as reporting a fellow wife to him, not out of malice, but because that's the established protocol. Gabriel’s logic is that men are more "level-headed" and "logical," while women can be more "emotional human beings". He sees his role as bringing "chaos to calmness". It’s a controversial take, but one his wives seem to accept as the law of their land.
"He has to be a neutral person," Elizabeth explains. "It actually is good for for women because you have time to do what you want."
No Time for Tears, Just Self-Improvement and... Faking Sleep?
If you picture polygamous wives spending their nights alone crying into a pillow, Elizabeth wants you to think again. She delivered one of the most powerful rebukes to the stereotype of the pining, jealous wife.
"When we were just the two of us," she says, referring to her monogamous days with Gabriel, "I used to idolise this guy." But now, with three other women in the picture, she's found a new focus: herself. "What have I done for the past four days for my growth? For my spiritual growth, for my mental growth, for my physical growth? There's so many things... Life is not really circulated around sex," she declares.
The other wives echo this sentiment. Tanatswa, another wife, cheekily admits that having more free time is a major perk. "You know sometimes... when I feel like I want to be alone, I cover myself... He will think she's sleeping," she laughs. It’s a stunningly candid admission: the alone time is not a punishment, but a treasured opportunity for personal space and independence.
Competition, they claim, is non-existent, even down to simple gifts. Elizabeth jokes that if Gabriel bought her hot wings, her sister-wife's favourite, instead of her preferred ice cream, it would be "witchcraft". The message is clear: in their world, individuality isn't just respected; it's the key to harmony.
The Bedroom Bombshell: Inside the "King's Chamber"
The conversation inevitably turned to the most intimate question of all: what happens behind closed doors? When DJ Ollah 7 bluntly asked about jealousy during intimate moments and the possibility of group encounters, the family didn't flinch.
Gabriel explains that their home operates on an "open door policy". Most nights, they all congregate in one bedroom, regardless of whose it is. "When I get home, I'm not in one bedroom," he says. "If I go to this one's bedroom, everyone comes. If I'm in my bedroom, they are all here... Most of the time we are always in the same room".
When pressed on whether this togetherness extends to the ultimate intimacy, the fourth wife, Makanaka, offered a now-famous, cryptic reply: "In short, we are one. We are one person".
Gabriel, sensing the need for clarity, stepped in with a defence rooted in both biology and scripture. He referenced the "Songs of Solomon," noting that the women in the text speak in plural when they say, "We get into his chambers". He argues that a man is biologically designed for variety, making a controversial analogy that has since gone viral.
"A key that opens many locks is called a master key," he explains. "A lock that is opened by many keys... is it a useful or a useless lock?"
He claims that, for a man, having multiple partners is like a runner training for a marathon versus a 100-meter dash, the body simply adapts to the demand. While they stopped short of graphic descriptions, the implication of their "oneness" and shared space left little to the imagination.
A Sisterhood Sealed by More Than Marriage
The family's deep integration extends far beyond the bedroom. Their lives are interwoven in ways that would be unthinkable in most households.
The Breastfeeding Pact: The wives confirmed they practice cross-breastfeeding. If one mother is busy with her online business or other duties, another wife will step in to nurse her baby. "It's not an issue," Elizabeth states simply, highlighting their belief that all 15 of their collective children belong to all of them.
Communal Living: They coordinate everything through WhatsApp groups, from planning meals to buying groceries, ensuring there's no waste or duplicated effort. Finances are also pooled. "Elizabeth doesn't have to worry about day-to-day things like fuel," Gabriel explains, "because she has a sister who knows... we always encourage circulation of money in between the big family".
This intense level of cooperation is their answer to the chaos many would expect. They aren't just co-wives; they are a fully integrated, multi-parental unit.
Rewriting the Rules: Is Monogamy a Lie?
Gabriel's mission isn't just to live his life; it's to challenge the system he believes has failed both men and women. He argues that the modern world is trapped in "enforced monogamy," a concept he claims is neither biblically sound nor natural for men.
"I strongly believe that the Bible... is not against polygyny," he asserts, pointing to figures like Abraham, Jacob, and Moses, who all had multiple wives and were still considered men of God. He contends that many church doctrines against polygamy are based on misinterpretations and cultural shifts, not scripture. For him, being a polygamist is an act of responsibility.
"I'm not advocating for men to be cheating," he clarifies. "I'm advocating for men to be responsible for the women... I would really encourage my brothers... let's take care of women".
His wives see it the same way. "In our polygamous marriage," Tanatswa says, "I am actually proud to post myself, to post my sisters on social media, because we are showing something beautiful". For them, this isn't a broken system; it's a more honest and fulfilling one.
As Gabriel continues to build his family, one thing is certain: he and his wives are forcing a conversation that is as uncomfortable as it is fascinating. They are living proof that family, love, and faith can look very different from what we've been taught—and they're not apologising for it.
This article is based on factual statements made during the DJ Ollah 7 podcast interview with Gabriel Mapfunde and his wives.
