The River (South African TV series)

South-African TV drama series

The River

Season 6 poster

Genre| Drama
Created by| Phathutshedzo Makwarela
Gwydion Beynon
Developed by|

* Tshedza Pictures
* Phathutshedzo Makwarela
* Gwydion Beynon

Written by| Various
Directed by| Various
Creative directors| Johnny Barbuzano
Bonga Percy Vilakazi
Starring|

* Sindi Dlathu
* Presley Chweneyagae
* Hlomla Dandala
* Lawrence Maleka

Theme music composer| Brendan Jury
Sindi Dlathu
Opening theme| Brendan Jury[1]
Composers| Brendan Jury
Sindi Dlathu
Country of origin| South Africa
Original languages| English
Setswana
IsiZulu
IsiXhosa
No. of seasons| 6
No. of episodes| 1,560
Production
Executive producers|

* Phathutshedzo Makwarela
* Gwydion Beynon
* Sindi Dlathu

Producers|

Candice Tennant
Bonga Percy Vilakazi
Durani Barnardo

Production locations| Cullinan Diamond Mine
Refilwe
Silver Lakes
Editors| Bongi Malefo
Ula Oelsen
Camera setup| Multi-camera
Running time| 22–24 minutes
Production company| Tshedza Pictures
Original release
Network| 1Magic
Release| 29 January 2018 (2018-01-29) –
2 February 2024 (2024-02-02)
Related
The Wife
The Queen

The River is a South African television drama series created by Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon.[2] An M-Net production by Tshedza Pictures for DStv's general-entertainment subscription channel 1Magic, it is available for streaming on Naspers' Showmax. Reruns began airing weekdays on Mzansi Magic in 2019, and older reruns began airing weekdays on Mzansi Wethu in 2021.

In 2021, series lead Sindi Dlathu was announced as co-executive producer for the show's fourth season. The River was renewed for season five, which premiered on 7 February 2022, in November 2021. The series was renewed for a sixth and final season, premiering on 6 February 2023.

The drama series is set in Pretoria against the backdrop of South Africa's mining industry. A diamond discovery in the river running between the poor township of Refilwe and the affluent neighborhood of Silver Lakes quickly turns from a blessing to a curse.

## Plot

[edit]

Lindiwe owns a mine, marries a police commissioner, and has two children. Mine foreman Thato Mokoena finds a $45 million diamond in the river that runs through Refilwe. Lindiwe murders Thato, places the diamond in her mine, and covers up the murder. Zweli's daughter, Nomonde, becomes Lindiwe's enemy.

Malefu Mokoena struggles to raise her children after her husband's death. Her oldest son, Thuso, is in and out of jail. Her adopted daughter, Tumi, marries Lindiwe's nephew Zolani Dlamini. Lindiwe employs Tumi at Khanyisa Diamonds. She tries to steal land in Refilwe, but Tumi foils her.

Malefu tells Tumi that she was adopted. Tumi divorces Zolani, who reveals that Lindiwe killed her father. Tumi and her new boyfriend, Lindani, return to the Dikana mansion. Tumi learns that Lindiwe is her biological mother; she is kidnapped and buried alive by Lindiwe, who knows that Zolani told Tumi about Thato's murder. Lindiwe finds Tumi's message, and attempts suicide. Lindani rescues Tumi, who files charges against Lindiwe; Lindiwe is imprisoned and acquitted.

Christo tells Zweli about Lindiwe. Zweli asks Lindiwe for a divorce, and orders her to leave with Zolani. Mbali abuses drugs; Nomonde becomes CEO of Khanyisa Diamonds, and Zweli becomes a company shill.

After rescuing Mbali, Zweli tells his children about Lindiwe. Cobra and Paulina contest an interim ward election. Percy and Oupa rig the election in Cobra's favor, and Cobra invites Paulina to join the council.

Lindiwe resurfaces in her childhood Refilwe shack, powerless and abandoned. Tumi sets her shack afire; Zolani rescues her, and Sis Flora takes them in.

Cobra uses his position corruptly. Nomonde struggles to keep the mine afloat, juggling her relationship with Lindani. She begins looking for a new CEO. Gail Mathabatha (Mary Ann Barlow) is hired, and soon begins a romantic relationship with Zweli. Lindiwe kills her on their wedding day.

Zweli (now in a wheelchair) asks Lindiwe to marry him again. Tumi and Lindiwe reconcile and Tumi marries her childhood sweetheart, Lindani.

Thuso, Percy, and Oupa steal Lindiwe's diamonds, and Thuso gives them to Lindani to hold. Lindani tells his friend Charlie about the diamonds; Lindiwe and Zolani torture Charlie, go to Lindani's house and find the diamonds. When Lindani comes in, Lindiwe shoots him.

Tumi and Mbali overhear Lindiwe and Zolani celebrating, and Tumi tampers with the brakes of Lindiwe's car. Mbali takes her mother's car, and is killed.

Zolani finds love with Emma. She realizes that he is Lindiwe's employee; they break up, and he reconciles with Lindiwe.

Cobra's ex arrives with their son, Morena. Morena steals from the townspeople, but Cobra does not believe them. Andile's boyfriend Njabulo returns with a friend, Mondli. Mondli and Njabulo begin a relationship, and Andile breaks up with him. Andile attempts suicide, and he and Njabulo reconcile. Mabutho and Tumi begin an affair, and Andile learns about it. Tumi ends it, and leaves her and Lindani's bedroom. The Dikanas and Lindani see her, and Mabutho admits that he and Tumi are in love. Emma returns, pregnant with Zolani's baby, and Zolani proposes to her.

Mohumi, Lindiwe's ex and Thato's friend, seeks revenge. He and his rebels hold Lindiwe and her family hostage and want to kill Tumi, but Lindiwe tells Mohumi that he is Tumi's father.

Tumi visits Mohumi after his arrest, and Lindiwe tells Detective Tshabalala to bug the room. Tumi tells Mohumi that she killed Mbali. Lindiwe goes to Mohumi's prison cell and admits killing Happy, Sheree, and Gail. Mohumi records her, sends Tumi the recording and tells her to post it on social media. Tumi shows Lindiwe the recording.

Zolani and Emma marry. Tumi, in a helicopter, wants to reveal Lindiwe's crimes at the wedding. Lindiwe tries to talk her out of it; she and Tshabalala drive to the helipad and she shoots at the helicopter, which explodes.

Elvis coerces Lindiwe to marry him, and Zweli has a letter as insurance. Zolani shoots Elvis, who is wearing a bulletproof vest and asks Zweli for protection.

Cobra is arrested. Zweli investigates Tumi's death, and Cobra is released. Lindiwe kills Elvis with a poisoned condom. Zweli learns that Lindiwe killed Tumi, and meets Nyakallo (Sis Flora's niece); they marry, but Lindiwe kills Nyakallo and they reconcile.

## Cast

[edit]

Season 1–mid-season 2:

* Presley Chweneyagae as Thuso "Cobra" Mokoena
* Moshidi Motshekgwa as Malefu Mokoena
* Hlomla Dandala as Zweli Dikana
* Lawrence Maleka as Zolani Dlamini
* Lunga Shabalala as Lindani Dlomo
* Larona Moagi as Itumeleng "Tumi" Mokoena[3]
* Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana

Early season 2–season 3:

* Presley Chweniyagae as Thuso Mokoena
* Tinah Mnumzana as Flora Moloi
* Hlomla Dandala as Zweli Dikana
* Lawrence Maleka as Zolani Dlamini
* Lunga Shabalala as Lindani Dlomo
* Larona Moagi as Tumi Dlomo
* Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dikana

Season 4-early Season 6:

* Presley Chweneyagae as Thuso Mokoena
* Tina Mnumzana as Flora Moloi[4]
* Hlomla Dandala as Zweli Dikana
* Lawrence Maleka as Zolani Dlamini
* Thembinkosi Mthembu as Mabutho Dimba
* Tsholofelo Matshaba as Kedibone Mokoena
* Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana

Season 6 (mid-to-late):

* Presley Chweneyagae as Thuso Mokoena
* Tina Mnumzana as Flora Moloi
* Siyabonga Thwala as Bangizwe Zwane
* Bheki Mkhwane as Bukhosi Hlophe
* Brenda Mhlongo as Nomafu Hlophe
* Matshego Sekgopi as Dimpho Mokoena
* Tsholofelo Matshaba as Kedibone Mokoena
* Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dlamini-Zwane

Actors  | Characters  | Seasons

|
|

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Sindi Dlathu (Sindiswa Dlathu)  | Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana | Main
Presley Chweneyagae | Thuso Mokoena  | Main
Siyabonga Thwala | Bangizwe Zwane  | Does not appear | Main
Tinah Mnumzana | Flora Moloi  | Main
Tsholofelo Matshaba | Kedibone Mokoena  | Does not appear | Main
Matshepo Sekgopi | Dimpho Mokoena  | Main
Galaletsang Koffman | Beauty  | Main
Dr Thembi Jones | Thandeka Dlamini  | Does not appear | Recurring
Lucky Kunene | Ndumiso Zwane  | Does not appear | Main
Thapelo Sebogodi | Khabzela  | Main
Thabiso Ramotshehla | Morena Mokoena  | Does not appear | Recurring | Main
Chuck Shisane | Sbusiso Tshabalala  | Recurring | Main
Ferry Jele | Veronica Dlamini  | Recurring
Tshepo Seogiso | Charlie  | Guest | Recurring
Former cast members  Actors  | character  | Seasons

|
|

1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6
Larona Moagi | Tumi Mokoena  | Main | Does not appear
Hlomla Dandala | Zweli Dikana  | Main | Main
Lunga Mofekeng | Andile Dikana-Sibiya  | Main
Linda Mtoba | Nomonde Dikana  | Main | Recurring
Bheki Mkhwane | Bukhosi Hlophe  | Does not appear | Main
Brenda Mhlongo | Nomafu Hlophe  | Does not appear | Main
Tina Dlathu | Khewzi Hlophe  | Does not appear | Recurring | Main
Unathi Mkhize | Nkanyiso Hlophe  | Does not appear | Main
Vuyo Biyela | Mlilo Hlophe  | Does not appear | Main
Lunathi Mampofu | Emmarentia Dlamini  | Does not appear | Recurring | Main | Does not appear
Jessica Sithole | Nyakallo Kgomo  | Does not appear | Recurring | Does not appear
Ayanda Borotho | Zanezulu  | Does not appear | Recurring
Mary-Anne Barlow | Gail Mathabatha  | Does not appear | Recurring | Does not appear
Siya Sepotokele | Njabulo Sibiya  | Recurring
Lawrence Maleka | Zolani Dlamini  | Main | Does not appear
Tango Ncetezo | Paulina Dlomo  | Main | Does not appear
Moshidi Motshegwa | Malefu Mokoena  | Main | Does not appear
Kagiso Rathebe | Kieth  | Does not appear | Recurring
Lunga Shabalala | Lindani Dlomo  | Main | Does not appear
Don Mlangeni Nawa | Thato Mokoena  | Recurring | Does not appear
Jet Novuka | Walter  | Recurring | Does not appear
Mavuso Magabane | Ntsizwa  | Does not appear | Recurring | Does not appear
Zenokuhle Maseko | Mbali Dikana  | Main | Does not appear
Kenned Sted | Goliath  | Recurring | Does not appear
Seipati Motshwane | Augustine  | Does not appear | Recurring | Does not appear
Renate Stuurman | Sheree  | Recurring | Does not appear
TK Sebothoma | Happy  | Main | Does not appear
Anele Zondo | Faith  | Main | Recurring | Does not appear | Recurring | Does not appear
Fezile Makhanya | Mqobi  | Does not appear | Recurring | Does not appear
Zolani Phakade | Mkhize  | Recurring | Does not appear
Sannah Mchunu | Matilda  | Recurring | Does not appear
Lebohang Tlokana | Dora Phakathi  | Recurring | Does not appear
Sello Maake Ka Ncube | Sechabe  | Guest | Does not appear | Guest | Does not appear
Warren Masemola | Oupa  | Recurring | Does not appear
Zenzo Ngqobe | Percy  | Recurring | Does not appear
Thabo Malema | Ten Ten  | Recurring | Does not appear
Seputla Sebogodi | Mohumi Ditshweni  | Does not appear | Recurring | Does not appear
Patric Shai | Phasha  | Does not appear | colspan="1"{{c
Connie Ferguson | Harriet Khoza | Guest | Does not appear

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year  | Award  | Category  | Nominee  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2019  | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Telenovela  | The River | Won  | [5]
Best Actress - Telenovela  | Moshidi Motshegwa  | Won
Sindi Dlathu | Nominated
Best Actor - Telenovela  | Presley Chweneyagae | Won
Hlomla Dandala | Nominated
Best Supporting Actor - Telenovela  | Lawrence Maleka  | Won
Zenzo Ngqobe  | Nominated
Best Supporting Actress - Telenovela  | Ferry Jele  | Nominated
Best Achievement in Directing - Telenovela  | Johnny Barbuzano, Catharine Cooke, Zolani Phakade and Ferry Jele  | Won
Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – Telenovela  | Gwydion Beynon & Phathutshedzo Makwarela  | Won
Best Achievement in Original Music/Score – Telenovela  | Brendan Jury  | Won
Best Achievement in Editing – Telenovela  | Ula Oelsen, Bongi Malefo & Matodzi Nemungadi  | Won
Best Achievement in Sound – Telenovela  | Ben Oelsen, Lele Seate & Tladi Mabuya  | Won
Best Achievement in Cinematography – Telenovela  | Gaopie Kabe & Trevor Brown  | Won
Best Achievement in Wardrobe − Telenovela  | The River | Won
Best Achievement in Hair & Make-Up − Telenovela  | The River | Won
Best Achievement in Art Direction − Telenovela  | The River | Nominated
47th International Emmy Awards | Best Telenovela | The River | Nominated  |
2020  | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Achievement in Directing - Telenovela  | Ferry Jele, Catharine Cooke, Zolani Phakade & Johnny Barbuzano  | Won  | [6]
Best Achievement in Scriptwriting - Telenovela  | Gwydion Beynon, Phathutshedzo Makwarela, Christa Biyela, Lebogang Mogashoa & Mamello Lebona  | Won
Best Achievement in Editing - Telenovela  | Bongi Malefo, Matodzi Nemungadi & Ula Oelsen  | Won
Best Achievement in Sound - TV Soap/Telenovela  | Ben Oelsen, Juli Vanden Berg & Tladi Steven Mabuya  | Won
Best Achievement in Cinematography - Telenovela  | Trevor Brown  | Won
Best Achievement in Wardrobe - TV Soap/Telenovela  | Alice Mataboge  | Won
Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling- TV Soap/Telenovela  | Bongi Mlotshwa  | Won
Best Actress - Telenovela  | Sindi Dlathu  | Won
Best Supporting Actress - Telenovela  | Mary-Anne Barlow  | Won
Best Telenovela  | The River | Won
2021  | Best Achievement in Scriptwriting  | The River | Won  | [7]
Best Achievement in Original Music/Score  | Won
Best Achievement in Editing  | Won
Best Achievement in Sound  | Won

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The river". Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
2. ^ Mbonambi, Buhle. "The River Telenovela". Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
3. ^ Kinuthia, Peter (21 July 2022). "Who is Larona Moagi? Biography, age, child, husband, career, profiles, net worth". Briefly. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
4. ^ Gitonga, Ruth (22 June 2021). "Tinah Mnumzana: age, husband, career, P.O.B., The River, net worth". Briefly. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
5. ^ Shumba, Ano (4 March 2019). "SA Film and Television Awards 2019: All the winners". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
6. ^ Engelbrecht, Leandra. "All the winners at the 2020 Saftas". channel 24. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
7. ^ Keshia Africa (22 May 2021). "All the 2021 Safta winners". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* The River at IMDb
* The River in TVSA

*[No.]: Number