Nhlanhla Kunene has officially stepped into one of Law, Love and Betrayal’s most talked-about roles. The actor, known for his SAFTA-nominated performance as Tsiki Tsiki in Adulting, joins Season 2 of the legal drama as Mondli Gumede — a character who has loomed large since Season 1 but only now appears on screen.
Speaking to Showmax, Kunene opened up about bringing the mysterious Mondli to life, the character’s complicated family dynamics, and why this role marks a major shift in his career.
Mondli has been mentioned since Season 1 but only appears in Season 2. How did that build-up shape your approach to the character?
“It almost felt like stepping into a role that already existed,” Kunene says. “Mondli had been described and discussed for so long. There were so many conversations about who he is and what he represents. My responsibility was to give form to that idea and make him real. He was no longer meant to be an imagined figure, but someone whose presence could finally be felt.”
Mondli is expected to bring chaos to the Gumede family and their law firm. How would you describe that chaos?
“Mondli’s chaos comes from his voice,” he explains. “He’s been unheard and silenced for a very long time, largely because of his relationship with his father. Now that he’s back, he wants to be seen, heard, and acknowledged. The chaos may seem explosive, but it’s actually very calculated.”
How does Mondli’s return affect his relationship with his sister, Ayanda?
“Their relationship is intense and layered,” Kunene says. “Ayanda feels abandoned, while Mondli feels misunderstood, especially about why he had to leave the country. Their father is the root of that tension. Despite everything, there’s still a deep bond between them. It’s messy, emotional, and very real.”
Was there a moment where you fully understood who Mondli really is?
“Absolutely,” he says. “Mondli is a beast of a lawyer. He approaches life like a chessboard. There’s a scene where everything unravels and some hard truths are revealed. That moment felt like a checkmate.”
Does Mondli see himself as a villain, a hero, or simply misunderstood?
“Internally, Mondli sees himself as a villain,” Kunene reveals. “But narratively, he’s often framed as a hero. He has his own intentions and goals, and as the story unfolds, viewers begin to understand that he’s driven by a deep wound. He’s far more complex than he appears.”
Mondli’s sexuality is handled subtly in the series. How important was that for you?
“That approach was extremely meaningful to me,” he says. “His sexuality isn’t treated as a spectacle or shock value. It’s just one part of who he is. What mattered most was portraying a fully realised human being, not a stereotype.”
How does Mondli differ from Tsiki Tsiki in Adulting?
“They’re very different,” Kunene explains. “Tsiki Tsiki avoided confrontation and bottled things up. Mondli confronts issues head-on. If there’s a problem, he wants to deal with it immediately.”
What was it like working with Nimrod Nkosi, who plays your on-screen father, Gatsha Gumede?
“It was an incredible experience,” Kunene says. “I grew up watching uBab’ Nimrod, so sharing a set with him and portraying such a complex father-son relationship was truly special. There are powerful themes between Gatsha and Mondli that I can’t wait for audiences to experience.”
Law, Love and Betrayal Season 2 premieres at 8PM on Sunday, 8 March 2026, on Mzansi Magic, with episodes streaming from Monday, 9 March on Showmax.
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