Out in the cold
The Baloyis kick Mahlori out of their home after he steals their money and leaves them broke.
It’s rare for Mahlori Baloyi (Noel Ntshuxeko) to feel seen and acknowledged by his parents Mike (Charles Baloyi) and Tsakani (Linah Ebony Ngcobo) as he’s always landing in trouble. “Due to his past mistakes, they always expect Mahlori to disappoint them in some shape or form,” says Noel. However, things start changing for Mahlori. After his brother Musa (Wiseman Zitha) recently defied Mike and Tsakani’s orders and skipped town with his girlfriend Khensani (Mathabo Mothibe), the Baloyi parents start trusting Mahlori again. “Mahlori is flattered that his parents are showering him with attention, but he is frustrated that they continue to compare him to Musa,” adds the actor.
Realising that he can’t match up to Musa’s high standards as the good, wellbehaved son, Mahlori returns to his old ways. “He first earns his parents’ affection and soon Mahlori betrays Mike and Tsakani when they don’t see it coming,” warns Noel. PEOPLE PLEASER Mahlori doesn’t only feel like an outsider at home, he struggles to fit in with his friends too. They invite him to a party and instead of telling his friends that he doesn’t have money to buy drinks and hang out with them at the lodge, he agrees anyway. “Mahlori’s friends drive nice cars and have good jobs, and he has neither. So to prove himself to them, he steals money from his parents’ spaza shop to party with his friends,” explains Noel. Mahlori couldn’t care less that his parents are already struggling to make ends meet. All he is concerned about is pleasing his friends. “Before Mahlori knows it, he’s also stealing money from his father’s wallet, and he starts running his family’s business down the drain.” KICKED OUT By the time the Baloyis realise Mahlori’s disloyalty, they’re broke and they can’t even afford to buy electricity. Mike confronts Mahlori about the missing cash, but the young man lies. “Mahlori has gone too far this time and Mike is angry. He eventually kicks Mahlori out of the house in a fiery argument,” reveals Noel.
Ashamed to turn to his friends, Mahlori calls Musa to help him find a place to live. “They arrange for Mahlori to move in at Khensani’s home while they are in Cape Town. Although Mahlori gets a lifeline, he realises his mistakes and he goes on a path to change his life and make amends with his parents.”