Nhlanhla Kunene joins the cast of 'Law, Love & Betrayal' as Mondli Gumede

SAFTA nominee Nhlanhla Kunene has been confirmed as the latest cast member to join "Law, Love & Betrayal" (LLB) Season 2, where he takes on the role of Mondli Gumede, Gatsha Gumede’s elusive, highly intelligent, and openly gay son.

Although frequently referenced throughout Season 1, Mondli Gumede remained an unseen presence, a name that lingered over the Gumede family and their law firm. In Season 2, the long-anticipated character finally steps into the spotlight, bringing tension, disruption and calculated chaos to an already fractured family dynamic.

Mondli’s return proves especially challenging for his sister, Ayanda Gumede, played by Pearl Modiadie, as buried resentments and unresolved family wounds come to the surface.

Kunene, who earned widespread acclaim and a SAFTA nomination for his portrayal of Tsiki Tsiki in Adulting, now trades emotional vulnerability for sharp precision. In "LLB", he plays Mondli as a formidable mergers and acquisitions lawyer whose presence is impossible to ignore.

Speaking about stepping into a character who had been spoken about since the first season, Kunene explains:

“It almost felt like stepping into a role that already existed, because 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, to make him real.”

He adds that the role offered a welcome shift from characters he has played in the past.

“I’ve always wanted to move away from the gangster-type characters I’ve played before, and Mondli gave me that opportunity.”

Describing the disruption Mondli brings, Kunene says his character’s chaos is deeply intentional.

“Mondli’s chaos comes from his voice. 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 sibling dynamic between Mondli and Ayanda forms one of the emotional cores of the season.

“Their relationship is intense and layered. Ayanda feels abandoned, while Mondli feels misunderstood. Despite the conflict, there’s still a deep bond between them. It’s messy, emotional, and very real.”

Kunene also describes Mondli as a strategic thinker who treats life like a game of chess.

“There’s a particular scene where everything unravels and some hard truths are revealed. That moment felt like a checkmate.”

Importantly, Mondli’s sexuality is presented as one aspect of his identity rather than a defining spectacle - a choice Kunene says was deeply meaningful.

“Mondli’s sexuality isn’t used for shock value or tokenism. It’s simply part of who he is. What mattered most was portraying a fully realised human being, not a stereotype.”

Reflecting on working alongside veteran actor Nimrod Nkosi, who plays Gatsha Gumede, Kunene describes the experience as humbling and powerful.

“Sharing a set with him and portraying such a complex father-son relationship was truly special. There are two powerful themes between Gatsha and Mondli that I can’t wait for audiences to experience.”

Nhlanhla Kunene’s role as Mondli Gumede in "Law, Love and Betrayal" Season 2 marks a clear turning point in his career, moving away from the “gangster” roles he became known for. He first gained widespread recognition for his SAFTA-nominated performance as Eric, also known as Tsiki Tsiki, in "Adulting" (2023–2025). Since then, Kunene has continued to showcase his range with roles in "Queendom", the soccer drama "Obstruction", and the BET biopic "Nkalakatha: The Life of Mandoza", cementing his reputation as a versatile and evolving actor.