Mommy issues
Didintle Khunou lifts the lid on her character Esther and her toxic relationship with her mother Mary.
While philanthropist Mary Ndlovu (Nthati Moshesh) takes orphans into her shelter called House Of Grace, she neglects her own children, especially her musician daughter Esther (Didintle Khunou).
Since childhood, Esther has yearned for her mother’s acceptance, but Mary overlooks her at every turn.
Consequently, Esther searches for love in the wrong places and she recently turned to drugs to help her cope with her anxiety. “She’s trying to survive the emotional abuse she receives from her mother. It’s a big wound that Esther has carried for years,” explains Didintle.
To make matters worse, as a rising popstar, Esther is overwhelmed by living in the spotlight. “All her life, Esther has lived in Mary’s shadow. She believes that if she does well in her music career, then her mother will see, love and respect her,” adds the actress. However, Mary still condemns Esther, causing her to go further on a downward spiral.
CYCLE OF ABUSE
Due to Mary’s dysfunctional childhood, she struggles to connect with her own children. Instead, she imposes guilt to control her them. As Didintle explains, Esther battles to end the toxic cycle.
“If it was easy for Esther to just cut ties with Mary, she would’ve done so and separated from her mother long ago, but it’s not as easy,” says the actress, before adding, “It’s called a trauma bonding, [in which the victim of abuse forms an emotional attachment to their aggressor and perpetrator].”
In this instance, the victim remains in the relationship and does everything that is expected of them because they believe that the perpetrator will eventually accept them or reward them, but Mary is incapable of forging a genuine bond with her children. “Whenever Esther gets a bit of positive attention from Mary, she feels so good that she’s almost addicted to it. Esther’s fixation with pleasing Mary is like the feeling she receives when she takes a snort of cocaine. She believes that it’s her answer to happiness, but both addictions make her miserable,” says Didintle.
HOPE FOR ESTHER
There is light at the end of the tunnel for Esther. As season 1 of Isono unfolds, Esther will gain courage and stand up against Mary, but her rebellion will come at a price as Mary will complicate Esther’s life. “It’s a liberating feeling when Esther discovers her strength and seeks help to quit her drug addiction,” says Didintle. “Esther realises that if she doesn’t stand on her own, she will crumble and lose a grip on reality and the world will swallow her up whole. And her mom isn’t going to save her.”
PREVIOUSLY
Makwande was diagnosed with a heart condition that threatened to ruin his soccer career, Mary ordered a hit on Pastor Duma, and Msizi beat his girlfriend Lillian to a bloody pulp.
IN THIS ISSUE
Mary covers her tracks following Pastor Duma’s assassination, the orphans at House Of Grace form a band that they hope will help them become famous, and Millicent’s family issues affect her friendship with Esther. Guilt-ridden Gabriel comforts Pastor Duma’s wife Angelina ahead of the funeral, and Abednego rescues a friend from an uncomfortable situation. Makwande hides his health problems from Esther, Mary hires Abednego to complete a dangerous task, and orphan Lesedi plots to kick Simon out of the band. Makwande meanwhile leans on Millicent for support.
Former lovers Gabriel and Abednego fight their feelings for each other, and Esther grows jealous of Makwande and Millicent’s friendship. Simon plays dirty to remain in the band, Mary tries to talk Gabriel and Abednego into joining her new business venture, and Makwande and Millicent share a kiss. Lesedi faces the consequences of betraying Simon, and Makwande and Esther’s relationship takes strain thanks to the countless secrets between them. Mary punishes Gabriel for deceiving her, and Zakwe apologises for hurting
Lesedi. Gabriel is distracted while planning a heist, and Esther ends her relationship with Makwande after she discovers that he kissed her best friend Millicent. Lesedi stands up to Simon, Gabriel’s heist takes an unexpected turn, and Lesedi gets a make-over before her performance. Makwande puts his life at risk when he goes against his doctor’s orders, and Gabriel ties up loose ends after the heist.