Hard-hitting choice
Tshidi is stuck in the middle of a feud between her gangster hubby Gadaffi and their adoptive son Mpho.
Tshidi’s (Letoya Makhene) prayers have been answered! Her adoptive son Mpho (Junior Singo) returns to make amends after storming out when he learnt recently that his adoptive dad Gadaffi (Vuyo Dabula) is a gangster. “Mpho is somewhat conflicted,” says Letoya. Although he has built a strong relationship with Tshidi, who adopted him when he was 16, she is married to a thug, Letoya explains. “Mpho’s heart was shattered and he wanted nothing to do with Gadaffi’s illegal dealings,” adds the actress. But after reflecting on how bleak his future would be without his mom, Mpho would rather overlook Gadaffi’s business than live without Tshidi’s motherly love. While Mpho is pleased to reconcile with his mom, he is still upset about Gadaffi’s lifestyle and “that leaves Tshidi stuck in the middle,” says Letoya. “But neither will budge.”
MOTHER KNOWS BEST
Although Tshidi and Gadaffi agreed early in their marriage that they would not have kids of their own since their crime-filled life wasn’t fitting to raise a family, Tshidi took on troubled orphan Mpho in 2017 while she was estranged from Gadaffi. “Like Mpho, Tshidi’s mother
Zondiwe (Abigail Kubeka) abandoned her when she was young and she grew up in the streets. She saw a part of herself in Mpho and sought to give him a better life, one that she’s always dreamt of,” explains Letoya. Tshidi sent Mpho to a private school and “she constantly mothers him even now,” says the actress. “Tshidi scolds him, cares about him and they have created memories together, so she wants Mpho to get along with Gadaffi too.”
BUILDING THE BRIDGE
With Gadaffi and Mpho constantly at each other’s throats, Tshidi tries to get Gadaffi to be more of a father figure but he’s stuck in his ways. “She wants Gadaffi to change his hard- core attitude when he’s home and be more sensitive around Mpho,” says Letoya. Tshidi would like to see them going fishing together and Gadaffi giving Mpho life advice. “She isn’t asking much considering that she accepts his criminal ways,” adds Letoya, whose character refuses to see Mpho walk away from her again. Letoya explains that Tshidi lives vicariously through Mpho. “She believes this is her chance to do good. She can make up for the wrong she did in the past if she raises him to be successful man,” adds Letoya. But first she needs them to get along before their feud destroys her marriage.