The River (South African TV series)

Last updated

The River
The River Season 4 poster.jpg
Season 6 poster
Genre Drama
Created byPhathutshedzo Makwarela
Gwydion Beynon
Developed by
  • Tshedza Pictures
  • Phathutshedzo Makwarela
  • Gwydion Beynon
Written byVarious
Directed byVarious
Creative directorsJohnny Barbuzano
Bonga Percy Vilakazi
Starring Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dlamini
Theme music composerBrendan Jury
Sindi Dlathu
Opening theme Brendan Jury [1]
ComposersBrendan Jury
Sindi Dlathu
Country of origin South Africa
Original languagesEnglish
Setswana
IsiZulu
IsiXhosa
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes1,560 (as of 2 February 2024)
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
EditorsBongi Malefo
Ula Oelsen
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production company Tshedza Pictures
Original release
Network 1Magic
Release29 January 2018 (2018-01-29) 
2 February 2024 (2024-02-02)
Related
The Wife
The Queen

The River was 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' subscription video-on-demand service Showmax. Reruns began airing weekdays on Mzansi Magic in 2019, and older reruns began airing weekdays on Mzansi Wethu in 2021.

Contents

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

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

Season 1–mid-season 2:

Early season 2–season 3:

Season 6:

ActorsCharactersSeasons
1 2 3 4 5 6
Sindi Dlathu (Sindiswa Dlathu) Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana Main
Presley Chweneyagae Thuso Mokoena Main
Siyabonga Thwala Bangizwe ZwaneDoes not appear Main
Tinah Mnumzana Flora Moloi Main
Tsholofelo Matshaba Kedibone MokoenaDoes not appear Main
Matshepo Sekgopi Dimpho Mokoena Main
Galaletsang Koffman Beauty Main
Dr Thembi Jones Thandeka DlaminiDoes not appear Recurring
Lucky Kunene Ndumiso ZwaneDoes not appear Main
Thapelo Sebogodi Khabzela Main
Thabiso Ramotshehla Morena MokoenaDoes not appear Recurring Main
Chuck Shisane Sbusiso Tshabalala Recurring Main
Ferry Jele Veronica Dlamini Recurring
Tshepo Seogiso Charlie Guest Recurring
Former cast members
ActorRoleSeasons
Larona Moagi Tumi Mokoena(Season 1 - 3)
Hlomla Dandala Zweli Dikana(Season 1 - 6)
Lunga Mofekeng Andile Dikana-Sibiya(season 1-6)
Linda Mtoba Nomonde Dikana(season 1-5)
Bheki Mkhwane Bukhosi Hlophe(season 5-6)
Brenda Mhlongo Nomafu Hlophe(season 5-6)
Tina Dlathu Khewzi Hlophe(season 5-6)
Unathi Mkhize Nkanyiso Hlophe(season 5-6)
Vuyo Biyela Mlilo Hlophe(season 5-6)
Lunathi Mampofu Emmarentia Dlamini(season 3-5)
Jessica Sithole Nyakallo Kgomo(season 4)
Ayanda Borotho Zanezulu(season 5-6)
Mary-Anne Barlow Gail Mathabatha(season 5)
Siya Sepotokele Njabulo Sibiya(season 1-5)
Lawrence Maleka Zolani Dlamini(Season 1 - 5)
Tango Ncetezo Paulina Dlomo(Season 1 - 5)
Moshidi Motshegwa Malefu Mokoena(Season 1)
Kagiso Rathebe Kieth(Season 6)
Lunga Shabalala Lindani Dlomo(Season 1 - 3)
Don Mlangeni Nawa Thato Mokoena(Season - 1); (Season 4)
Jet Novuka Walter(Season 1)
Mavuso Magabane Ntsizwa(Season 3)
Zenokuhle Maseko Mbali Dikana(Season 1 - 2)
Kenned Sted Goliath(Season 1)
Seipati Motshwane Augustine(Season 4)
Renate Stuurman Sheree Jacobson(Season 1)
TK Sebothoma Happy(Season 1)
Anele Zondo Faith(Season 1 - 2); (Season 4)
Fezile Makhanya Mqobi(Season 5)
Zolani Phakade Mkhize(Season 3)
Sannah Mchunu Matilda(Season 1)
Lebohang Tlokana Dora Phakathi(Season 1 - 2)
Sello Maake Ka Ncube Sechaba(Season 1 - 3)
Warren Masemola Oupa(Season 1 - 4)
Zenzo Ngqobe Percy(Season 1 - 4)
Thabo Malema Ten Ten(Season 1)
Seputla Sebogodi Mohumi Ditshweni(Season 3 - 4)
Patric Shai Phasha(Season 4)
Connie Ferguson Harriet Khoza (Season 1 -2)

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2019 South African Film and Television Awards Best TelenovelaThe RiverWon [5]
Best Actress - TelenovelaMoshidi MotshegwaWon
Sindi Dlathu Nominated
Best Actor - Telenovela Presley Chweneyagae Won
Hlomla Dandala Nominated
Best Supporting Actor - TelenovelaLawrence MalekaWon
Zenzo NgqobeNominated
Best Supporting Actress - TelenovelaFerry JeleNominated
Best Achievement in Directing - TelenovelaJohnny Barbuzano, Catharine Cooke, Zolani Phakade and Ferry JeleWon
Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TelenovelaGwydion Beynon & Phathutshedzo MakwarelaWon
Best Achievement in Original Music/Score – TelenovelaBrendan JuryWon
Best Achievement in Editing – TelenovelaUla Oelsen, Bongi Malefo & Matodzi NemungadiWon
Best Achievement in Sound – TelenovelaBen Oelsen, Lele Seate & Tladi MabuyaWon
Best Achievement in Cinematography – TelenovelaGaopie Kabe & Trevor BrownWon
Best Achievement in Wardrobe − TelenovelaThe RiverWon
Best Achievement in Hair & Make-Up − TelenovelaThe RiverWon
Best Achievement in Art Direction − TelenovelaThe RiverNominated
47th International Emmy Awards Best Telenovela The RiverNominated
2020 South African Film and Television Awards Best Achievement in Directing - TelenovelaFerry Jele, Catharine Cooke, Zolani Phakade & Johnny BarbuzanoWon [6]
Best Achievement in Scriptwriting - TelenovelaGwydion Beynon, Phathutshedzo Makwarela, Christa Biyela, Lebogang Mogashoa & Mamello LebonaWon
Best Achievement in Editing - TelenovelaBongi Malefo, Matodzi Nemungadi & Ula OelsenWon
Best Achievement in Sound - TV Soap/TelenovelaBen Oelsen, Juli Vanden Berg & Tladi Steven MabuyaWon
Best Achievement in Cinematography - TelenovelaTrevor BrownWon
Best Achievement in Wardrobe - TV Soap/TelenovelaAlice MatabogeWon
Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling- TV Soap/TelenovelaBongi MlotshwaWon
Best Actress - TelenovelaSindi DlathuWon
Best Supporting Actress - TelenovelaMary-Anne BarlowWon
Best TelenovelaThe RiverWon
2021Best Achievement in ScriptwritingThe RiverWon [7]
Best Achievement in Original Music/ScoreWon
Best Achievement in EditingWon
Best Achievement in SoundWon

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References

  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.