Nkululeko, Blood Psalms and Scandal! star Bongile Mantsai returns to primetime TV this Monday 20 November as Hlumelo Mxenge, Luzuko's younger brother on Gqeberha: The Empire.
He's channelling his inner Mthunzi for the role because Hlumelo's described as a charming and cruel villain who arrives with the tagline "The Reign of Hlumelo Mxenge".
In other words, don't be deceived by his holiday shirt - he won't be lazing around chewing gum.
This is his official character profile from Mzansi Magic:
Hlumelo Mxenge is a wolf in sheep’s clothing with a horrifying God complex and more to prove than to lose.
He's a charismatic, charming, confident man and the quintessential dyan, with an infectious playful energy and a mean streak.
Luzuko reaches out to his brother in a time of need, but a tragic turn of events presents Hlumelo with one of his deepest desires.
He is ready to manipulate, lie, cheat and even spill blood to keep the Mxenge empire.
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Flash facts on Bongile
Bongile made his TV debut with a starring role as Poncho on the Mzansi Magic coming-of-age drama series Nkululeko in early 2018.
He won a Best Supporting Actor SAFTA in the same year for his performance as one of the headline gay characters in the movie Inxeba: The Wound.
Later that year
he joined Scandal! as the unforgettable Mthunzi Mayisa, the ill-treated, vengeful son of domestic worker Dambisa who sought revenge against the family who employed her.
He won a Best Actor SAFTA for his portrayal in 2020.
He's also had starring roles on the SABC1 drama series Grootboom & Sons and Identity, where he played policeman Melusi who became a most wanted criminal after a tragic turn of events.
In 2022 he starred in the second season of Mzansi Magic's The Republic and the Showmax fantasy drama Blood Psalms, where he played Hlengu, who he described as "barbaric and intimidating" when the show first debuted.