| The River | |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 260 |
| Release | |
| Original network | 1Magic |
| Original release | 30 January 2018 – 2 February 2019 |
| Season chronology | |
The first season of 1Magic telenovela The River premiered on 30 January 2018 and concluded on 2 February 2019 with a total of 260 episodes. [1] The first season was led by Moshidi Motshekgwa , Presley Chweneyagae,Hlomla Dandala,Lawrence Maleka,Lunga Shabalala,Larona Moagi and Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana. [2]
The first season of the series featured Mzansi Magic 1st TV crossover between the series and the 3rd season of The Queen with Connie Ferguson appearing as Harriet Khoza; an old friend of Dlamini-Dikana. [3]
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. [4]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Telenovela | The River | Won | [9] |
| 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 |