Cape Town - As fans of popular MTV series, MTV Shuga: Down South anticipate the show’s second season on 12 February – the franchise has announced the exciting addition of Somizi’s fiancé Mohale Motaung to the show.
Mohale, who was thrust into the spotlight after dating entertainer, Somizi Mhlongo, will be playing the role of Odirile, an openly gay man.
According to Vice President for Youth, Music and BET for Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) Monde Twala, Odirile’s character will shine light on issues surrounding HIV prevention, precautionary medication as well as abusive relationships amongst others.
“Odirile is one of the key characters through which the series will explore innovations in the HIV-prevention space, including precautionary medication like PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), self- testing, toxic masculinity, abusive relationships and transactional sex,” he said before explaining how including Mohale in the cast opens up the industry for young talent.
“Part of the MTV Shuga vision is to empower and open up the industry for young African talent, as it did for Lupita Nyong’o, who got her start on MTV Shuga Kenya. We’re excited to have Mohale join the MTV Shuga: Down South 2 family.”
In a statement, Mohale said that the role was important to him because it would give him a chance to inform the youth and help them realise that they aren’t alone.
“As an openly-gay man, I’m fortunate to have the support of my family and my fiancé, Somizi, but not all South African youth, especially those growing up in conservative and traditional households, experience the same level of acceptance. That’s why programmes like MTV Shuga play such a crucial role in informing the youth and helping them realise they are not alone,”
He also said that a lot of people were still shunned for being open about their sexuality.
“MTV Shuga has proven to be a powerful catalyst for informing and positively affecting the lives of young people across the continent and I am thrilled by the opportunity for dialogue that this role presents. While same-sex marriage is legal in South Africa, so many people are still shunned by those closest to them for being open about their sexuality.”
