It's goodbye to Sello Maake ka-Ncube on Champions and hello to Thuli Thabethe who debuted last night (Tuesday 13 August) as Nomvula Modise, Philemon's ex-but-not-actually-ex wife.
She's arrived with her son Mthokozisi, played by Aphelele Shezi, and they want a share of the Giants' success.
They've arrived in the wake of Washington's murder at Philemon's hands and have their united eye on the spoils.
Here's a close-up on Nomvula, followed by a link to a portrait of Mtho who loathes Philemon so much he changed his name.
Know anyone who's done that? We do!
Nomvula, affectionately known as Sis Nomvula to everyone, is a charismatic woman with a larger-than-life personality.
She is Philemon’s wife as they didn’t officially divorce but have rather lived separately for the past few years. She is Kgotso (Rethabile Masha) and Mthokozisi’s mother.
She's a strong, dominant woman, but finds her softness in her purpose of serving others and that is how her relationship with Philemon blossomed as she used her skills sewing church uniforms in her hometown to cater for the financial needs of the rising Giants soccer club.
She is big on family and bringing people together and this is why she is seeking to re-unite her family by bringing her son and husband back together. She has a dangerous streak as she is quick to draw the battle lines when necessary.
Nomvula is the definition of behind every successful man is a woman as she stood by Philemon even when he had nothing but a dream of taking Giants to the Premier League.
All her hard work and contributions to the team’s financial needs weren’t enough to get Philemon the recognition he deserves and when he was side-lined by his brother, she felt betrayed, especially with the arrival of Lucinda, whom she saw as an opportunistic interloper and Sne who she saw as an underserving heir to the throne.
When the team became a success, she realized that she couldn’t get him to start his own team. She couldn’t bear the betrayal and left him.
Unable to bear the heartbreak, Nomvula left and returned to KZN with her son Mtho but they were never officially divorced and now, with Washington’s death and Lucinda being out of the picture, she decided to seize the opportunity and claim the life she believes she and Mtho have always been entitled to.
They put in the work and now it’s time they be rewarded.
For the what's what on Mtho, please tap here:
Champions character portrait: Aphelele Shezi as Mthokozisi Modise