New character Mthokozisi Modise arrived on Champions last night with mommy dearest as a united front in the wake of his uncle Washington's death.
He's played by Aphelele Shezi (MTV Shuga, Code 13) who debuted alongside Thuli Thabethe who portrays his mother Nomvula.
Mtho's extremely close to her - would do anything to defend her against anyone who challenges her - but he loathes his father Philemon so much he's changed his name.
Here's why, followed by a link to more about Nomvula:
Mtho’s relationship with Philemon is strained, particularly as Phil attempts to use his tolerance of Mtho’s sexuality as a badge of good parenting - something Mtho dismisses as the bare minimum.
The real issue, as Mtho sees it, is his father’s lack of effort in understanding him and the dismissive attitude towards his passions, which include blogging, vlogging, and styling.
Phil uses any chance he gets to remind him of how he dropped out of the expensive design school he was paying for but Mtho felt limited and opted to create a new lane for himself that fused all his passions, which Phil finds irrelevant, and certainly not the work of a man worthy of being an heir to his bourgeoning empire. So, he invested all his parental energy into Kgotso instead.
After his parents split, he chose to leave with his mother, the person who accepted and celebrated him in both closeminded Soshanguve and rural KZN, where the two relocated to when hers and Philemon’s marriage came apart.
Now back in the big city, Mtho is eager to prove his worth and step out from the shadow of the Modise name, all while fiercely defending his mother against anyone who dares challenge her.
You'll find the what's what on her here:
Character portrait: Thuli Thabethe as Nomvula Modise