He was at the centre of a controversy when he starred on Muvhango and now Mutodi Neshehe's returning to primetime TV with a role on Generations.
Mutodi makes his debut this Thursday (4 June) as Zola, Siya's father and an old flame of Karabo's. Zola and Karabo were high school sweethearts so things get awkwaaaard in the Moroka-Mogale marriage when he arrives on the scene after living abroad for years.
He's described as a hottshot businessman who offers a kind shoulder for Karabo to cry on. What could possibly go wrong?
And, more importantly, how long will Mutodi last??
Mutodi played Ndalamo Mukhwevo on Muvhango up until 2008 when a contractual dispute erupted with series creator Duma Ndlovu. In case you missed the showdown at the time... Mutodi claimed he was being asked to shoot his final contracted scenes without pay - which Duma disputed.
Duma said that Mutodi's contract wasn't renewed because he didn't pitch up for work, disappeared with no explanation and was "underperforming".
Will the same happen on Gen? Time will tell.
One thing that's definite is that Mutodi must be getting paid more than R30 000 for the role - probably a
lot more with inflation. It's Mutodi's make or break or figure - a figure he gave me when I caught up with him at Muvhango's 15th birthday bash two years ago - the number must be R120 000 by now considering the rate of inflation.
Flashback to what he had to say:
R30 000 or forget it, says Mutodi
Mutodi's arrival on Gen follows
Lerato Moloi's debut as Scarlet last week.