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The River (South African TV series)

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The River
Promotional poster with two men and a woman from the series
Season 6 poster
GenreDrama
Created byPhathutshedzo Makwarela
Gwydion Beynon
Developed by
  • Tshedza Pictures
  • Phathutshedzo Makwarela
  • Gwydion Beynon
Written byVarious
Directed byVarious
Creative directorsJohnny Barbuzano
Bonga Percy Vilakazi
Starring
Theme music composerBrendan Jury
Sindi Dlathu
Opening themeBrendan Jury[1]
ComposersBrendan Jury
Sindi Dlathu
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languagesEnglish
Setswana
IsiZulu
IsiXhosa
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes1,560
Production
Executive producers
  • Phathutshedzo Makwarela
  • Gwydion Beynon
  • Sindi Dlathu
Producers
Candice Tennant
Bonga Percy Vilakazi
Durani Barnardo
Production locationsCullinan Diamond Mine
Refilwe
Silver Lakes
EditorsBongi Malefo
Ula Oelsen
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companyTshedza Pictures
Original release
Network1Magic
Release29 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 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.

Cast

[edit]

Season 1–mid-season 2:

Early season 2–season 3:

Season 4-early Season 6:

Season 6 (mid-to-late):

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.
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