The River (South African TV series)
| The River | |
|---|---|
 Season 6 poster | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Created by | Phathutshedzo Makwarela Gwydion Beynon |
| Developed by |
|
| Written by | Various |
| Directed by | Various |
| Creative directors | Johnny Barbuzano Bonga Percy Vilakazi |
| Starring |
|
| 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 |
|
| 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 – 2 February 2024 |
| 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 with Tumi inside it.
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. Nomonde and Mabutho starts to date. The Dikana's family is unaware of it while Nomonde is also oblivious of Mabutho's real identity. His identity come to light. And they reconcile. Andile and Njabulo gets married. While Emma and Zolani's cousin begins an affair, Lindiwe warns Emma and aims her with a gun. Mohumi steals and attempts to sell Lindiwe's mine, while the community of Refilwe becomes aware of Mohumi's doings. Thuso teams up with Lindiwe to get rid of Mohumi. In a helicopter, Lindiwe aims the gun at Mohumi to sell and transfer the mine all back to her. Lindiwe kicks him out of the helicopter and he gets drown into the sea. Mohumi dies.
Season 5 begins with Nomonde and Mabutho's wedding. The Mokoenas have moved to the new house. Mnqobi comes and wants to have an affair with Lindiwe , Zweli suspects it. When Lindiwe realises Mnqobi's intentions she attempts to kill him. There's a new family in town. The Hlophes. Bukhosi, Nomafu, Mlilo, Nkanyiso and Khwezi. And wants to dethrone and get rid of Lindiwe. Thuso gets married to both Paulina and Angelina in a polygamy marriage. They both gets pregnant. And both go to labour. When Angelina realises that her son is dead , she swap the babies and make it seem as if Paulina gave birth to a still born child. Paulina goes nuts and suspect that Angelina is involved in her child's death. Paulina vows revenge against Cobra and the whole family where she drowns the baby in the pool. Nomonde comes back and fake pregnancy with twin babies, with an attempt to get Dikana family 's money. Paulina 's presumed baby gets buried. Zweli finds out that Nomonde is faking her pregnancy. Zweli finds out that Mabutho has been involved in the heists and claim that he can't marry Nomonde. Mabutho injures him unintentionally. Zweli goes into coma. Lindiwe vows revenge against Mabutho and hunt him down. Paulina also finds out that her son is actually alive and run away with him. Both Paulina and Mabutho are on the run and being hunted down by the police. Paulina asks her other cousin to take Jr. Thato and make DNA tests with him and they come back positive claiming that Paulina is the biological mother. Paulina goes and confronts Angelina, that's whereby they fight for a gun and Paulina dies. Mabutho gets caught by Lindiwe and Zolani, in defense he accidentally shoots Zolani and he dies. Lindiwe is distraught .
Zolani gets buried , And Zweli demand divorce from Lindiwe claiming that their family is finished. It started with Mbali, Tumi then Zolani.
Zweli leaves and Lindiwe gets smitten by her childhood friend Bangizwe Zwane. Khwezi gets in labour and delivers Zolani's baby. The Hlophes attempt to kill Lindiwe by throwing her into the tank dam but she's rescued. Andile slowly learns Lindiwe's crimes that she may have been involved in Tumi's murder. Lindiwe and Bangizwe gets married. Jr. Thato bleeds and Cobra has suspicions that he might be Paulina's baby. The DNA tests results improve that Jr. Thato is indeed Paulina 's biological son. Angelina gets arrested. Zodwa takes Jr. Thato to KZN and raise him. Nomonde comes back and learns that she's no longer welcomed at Lindiwe's house. She starts getting entitled and gets rude to everyone. Finally she and Lindiwe makes peace. Lindiwe's mother come back (Thandeka). Lindiwe's childhood trauma comes back and tries to kill her. Dimpho finds out that Lindiwe is planning to take Refilwe community 's money and release the document online. That's where she learns about all Lindiwe's dark secrets. Tshabalala kidnaps both Dimpho and Beauty, trying to burn them alive. They get saved by commissioner Zweli Dikana.
Zweli returns and arrests Lindiwe for all she has done. By killing Happy, Thato, Sheree , Gail Mathabatha, Mosa, Tumi , Nyakallo,Mohumi The Hlophes and others.
Lindiwe gets arrested. Flora is distraught when she learns that Lindiwe is responsible for Mosa, Happy and Nyakallo's murder. Lindiwe is still paying for her sins as she gets haunted by Thato and Tumi's ghost. With Tumi taunting her that her fate has changed as everyone she was close with they have left her and some died. Bangizwe asks Lindiwe if she was involved in killing Tumi her own daughter but Lindiwe denies first but later agrees. Bangizwe fakes Lindiwe's death. Refilwe community and the Dikanas prepare for Lindiwe's funeral. Lindiwe comes back on her own funeral rosting everyone that this is not how her story ends. She and Cobra fights for the bomb and dies. The miners finds a huge diamond at Khanyisa Diamonds mine. Kedibone, Dimpho and Flora calls it "Thuso ya Refilwe ". Ending The River
SERIES OVERVIEW :
Season 1 : 29 January 2018 - 25 January 2019
Season 2 : 28 January 2019 - 24 January 2020
Season 3 : 27 January 2020 - 05 February 2021
Season 4 : 08 February 2021 - 04 February 2022
Season 5 : 07 February 2022 - 03 February 2023
Season 6 : 06 February 2023 - 02 February 2024
STARRINGS :
Season 1 : Presley Chweneyagae; Moshidi Motshegwa
Season 2 : Sindi Dlathu; Larona Moagi,
Season 3 : Presley Chweneyagae, Lawrence Maleka and Larona Moagi
Season 4 : Tina Mnumzana and Tsholofelo Matshaba
Season 5 : Hlomla Dandala, Presley Chweneyagae
Season 6 : Sindi Dlathu, Siyabonga Thwala & Presley Chweneyagae
Cast
[edit]- Presley Chweneyagae as Thuso "Cobra" Mokoena : Malefu and Thato's elder son, Dimpho and Itumeleng 's brother, Paulina and Angelina's husband. Morena , Jr. Thato and Keitumetse's father (2018 - 2024)
- Moshidi Motshekgwa as Malefu Mokoena : Thato's wife, Dimpho and Thuso's mother, Tumi's adoptive mother. (2018 -2019)
- Hlomla Dandala as Zweli Dikana : Lindiwe's husband, Nomonde, Andile and Mbali's father. Zolani's uncle and Tumi's stepfather. (2018 - 2024)
- Lawrence Maleka as Zolani Dlamini : Veronica's son .Tumi's first husband, Emma's husband and Khwezi's lover. Lindiwe's nephew. Jr. Mbali's father. (2018-2023)
- Lunga Shabalala as Lindani Dlomo : Zodwa's son. Paulina 's brother . Khabonina's ex fiance , Tumi's husband (2018 - 2020)
- Larona Moagi as Itumeleng "Tumi" Mokoena[3] : Lindiwe and Mohumi's prodigal daughter, Malefu and Thato's adoptive daughter, Dimpho and Thuso's adoptive sister. Zolani's ex husband and cousin. Andile and Mbali 's sister, Nomonde 's stepsister , Lindani's wife and Mabutho's fiancee (2018 - 2021, 2023)
- Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana : Thandeka's daughter. Zweli and Bangizwe Zwane 's wife. Tumi, Andile and Mbali's mother. Veronica and Nolwazi's sister. Zolani's aunt , Nomonde and Ndumiso 's stepmother , Mohumi's enemy (2018 - 2024)
- Tinah Mnumzana as Flora Moloi : Happy's mother , Mosa and Nyakallo's aunt. Kedibone and Malefu's friend. Lindiwe's maid. Mohumi and Pastor Mdluli's one sided lover (2018 - 2024)
- Linda Mtoba as Nomonde Dikana : Zweli's daughter, Andile and Mbali's sister , Tumi's stepsister , Mabutho 's wife , Lindiwe's stepdaughter (2018 - 2024)
- Thembinkosi Mthembu as Mabutho Dimba : Paulina and Lindani's cousin, Tumi and Nomonde 's husband (2020 - 2023)
- Tsholofelo Matshaba as Kedibone Mokoena : Thato's sister, Thuso and Dimpho's aunt. Flora's friend (2019 - 2024)
- Zenokuhle Maseko as Mbali Dikana : Lindiwe and Zweli's daughter, Nomonde, Tumi and Andile's younger sister. (2018 -2020)
- Lunga Mofokeng as Andile Dikana : Lindiwe and Zweli's son. Nomonde, Tumi and Mbali's brother. Njabulo 's husband. Enzo's father (2018 - 2024)
- Lunathi Mampofu as Emmarentia Dlamini: Zolani's wife, Beauty 's cousin , Jr. Mbali's wife. (2020 - 2022)
- Tango Ncetezo as Paulina Dlomo : Zodwa's daughter, Lindani's sister, Mabutho's cousin. Jr. Thuso's wife, Thato's mother . (2018 - 2023)
- Siyabonga Thwala as Bangizwe Zwane : Lindiwe 's second husband, Ndumiso's father. Nomonde, Tumi, Andile and Mbali's stepfather (2023 - 2024)
- Bheki Mkhwane as Bukhosi Hlophe : Nomafu's husband, Mlilo, Nkanyiso and Khwezi's father (2022 - 2023)
- Matshepo Sekgopi as Dimpho Mokoena : Malefu and Thato's daughter. Thuso's sister, Tumi's adoptive sister. (2018 - 2024)
- Galaletsang Koffman as Beauty Montlenyane : Emmarentia 's cousin , Tumi, Paulina and Dimpho's friend (2018 - 2024)
- Nokuthula Ledwaba as Angelina Mthobeni : Cobra's second wife, Keitumetse 's mother. Jr. Thato's adoptive mother. (2018 - 2023)
- Seputla Sebogodi as Mohumi Ditshweni : Tumi's father and Lindiwe's enemy (2020 - 2022)
- Siya Raymond as Njabulo Sibiya: Andile's husband , Jr. Enzo's father (2018 - 2024)
- Ferry Jele as Veronica Dlamini: Zolani's mother and Lindiwe's sister (2018 - 2024)
- Winnie Ntshaba as Zodwa Dlomo : Paulina and Lindani's mother, Mabutho's aunt. (2019 - 2023)
- Don Mlangeni Nawa as Thato Mokoena : Malefu 's husband. Thuso and Dimpho's father. Tumi's adoptive father. Kedibone 's sister (2018, 2021 , 2023)
- Thoko Ntshinga as Nomhle Dikana: Zweli's mother. Nomonde, Andile and Mbali's grandmother. (2018 - 2024)
- Thembi Jones as Thandeka Dlamini: Lindiwe and Nolwazi's mother. Zolani, Tumi, Andile, abnd Mbali's grandmother. (2023)
- Slindile Nodangala as Nolwazi Dlamini: Thandeka's daughter. Lindiwe and Veronica 's sister. Tumi, Andile and Mbali's aunt. (2022)
- Brenda Ngxoli as Dambisa Dikana : Nomhle 's daughter, Zweli and Qaqamba's daughter. Nomonde, Andile and Mbali's aunt. (2018 -2023)
- Thabiso Ramotshela as Morena Mokoena : Thuso's son. Keitumetse and Jr. Thato's brother. (2020 - 2024)
- Brenda Mhlongo as Nomafu Hlophe : Bukhosi's wife, Mlilo, Nkanyiso and Khwezi's mother (2022 - 2023)
- Unathi Mkhize as Nkanyiso Hlophe: Nomafu and Bukhosi Hlophe 's son. Mlilo and Khwezi's brother. Dimpho's lover (2022 - 2023)
- Vuyo Biyela as Mlilo Hlophe : Nomafu and Bukhosi 's son. Nkanyiso and Khwezi's brother. (2022 - 2023)
- Tina Dlathu as Khwezi Hlophe: Nomafu and Bukhosi's daughter. Mlilo and Nkanyiso 's brother. Zolani's lover. (2022-2023)
- Chucks Shisana as Detective Sibusiso Tshabalala: A corrupt police officer employed to do Lindiwe's evil work. (2018-2024).
| 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 | Main | |||||
| Tinah Mnumzana | Flora Moloi | Main | |||||
| Tsholofelo Matshaba | Kedibone Mokoena | Main | |||||
| Matshepo Sekgopi | Dimpho Mokoena | Main | |||||
| Galaletsang Koffman | Beauty | Main | |||||
| Dr Thembi Jones | Thandeka Dlamini | Recurring | |||||
| Lucky Kunene | Ndumiso Zwane | Main | |||||
| Thapelo Sebogodi | Khabzela | Main | |||||
| Thabiso Ramotshehla | Morena Mokoena | Recurring | Main | ||||
| Chuck Shisane | Sbusiso Tshabalala | Recurring | Main | ||||
| Ferry Jele | Veronica Dlamini | Recurring | |||||
| Tshepo Seogiso | Charlie | Guest | Recurring | ||||
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Telenovela | The River | Won | [4] |
| 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 | [5] |
| 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 | [6] | |
| Best Achievement in Original Music/Score | Won | ||||
| Best Achievement in Editing | Won | ||||
| Best Achievement in Sound | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ "The river". Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ Mbonambi, Buhle. "The River Telenovela". Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Engelbrecht, Leandra. "All the winners at the 2020 Saftas". channel 24. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ 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]SERIES OVERVIEW
Season 1 : 29 January 2018 - 25 January 2019
Season 2 : 28 January 2019 - 24 January 2020
Season 3 : 27 January 2020 - 5 February 2021
Season 4 : 8 February 2021 - 4 February 2022
Season 5 : 7 February 2022 - 3 February 2023
Season 6 : 6 February 2023 - 2 February 2024