The River is a South African television series that bears the same name as a couple of other movies, including one directed by Jim Renoir in 1951 (United States, romance drama) and another directed by Robert Dillon (United States, 1984), but with a markedly different storyline.
The River Creator
Created by Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon, South Africa’s The River tells the old tale of how a blessing can actually turn into a curse when greed and personal interests intrude, leading to a world of discord, betrayal, and death.
The River Producer
An M-Net original series, The River was produced by Tshedza Pictures for 1Magic, a DStv entertainment subscription channel, but it’s now showing on another South African subscription service, Naspers’ Showmax.
The River Seasons
The River has run for three seasons, with a fourth season currently running and a new episode expected to air today 23 June. Given the suspense and chill drama that characterized past seasons and episodes of the series, expectations are high regarding today’s episode which airs at 8 p.m.
The first season of the soaraway series aired on 29 January 2018. Other seasons have followed, holding South Africa in suspense, with core fans impatient to see more episodes.
In the first season, viewers were exposed to the strong-willed Lindiwe Dlamini (lead character), Zolani, Malefu, Cobra, Itumeland and Thato, among others.
The River Teasers
In the first season, viewers got to see that a woman can have as much power, iron will and cunning as any man out there – as exemplified by the Lindiwe character (played by Sindi Dlathu). Lindiwe’s mine (Khanyisa Diamonds) was about to go bankrupt when Thato Mokoena, a foreman, discovered a diamond worth about $45 million while fishing in a river running through Refilwe township.
Lindiwe murdered Mokoena, moving the diamond to her mine for miners to discover.
Mokoena’s wife Malefu struggled to raise her children, including her adopted daughter Tumi, following her husband’s murder.
Tumi married Lindiwe’s nephew Zolani and moved into the Lindiwe household. Zolani would reveal to Tumi later that Lindiwe killed Thato Mokoena, Tumi’s surrogate father, leading to their divorce.
Along the line, Tumi discovered that Lindiwe is her biological mother. But at the time of the discovery, Lindiwe was out of the picture. Trying to find Lindiwe, Tumi was kidnapped and buried alive.
In the second season of the series, Tumi’s boyfriend Lindani rescued her. Tumi had thereafter initiated a murder case against Lindiwe, who still maintains a leading role. Things took a dramatic turn when Tumi herself became a prime suspect in the attempted murder of Lindiwe.
Lindiwe had thereafter filed charges against Tumi, describing her in court as an agent of white monopoly out to destroy her and her company.
Season 3 of The River premiered on 27 January 2020 with old characters as well as a sprinkling of new ones. In this season, which is markedly revelatory, Mohumi, an ex of Lindiwe’s, popped on the scene determined to exact revenge from Lindiwe for betraying him as well as for killing Thato Mokoena in the first season.
Mohumi and his forces held Lindiwe and her family hostage. However, when he wanted to kill Tumi, Lindiwe revealed that he, Mohumi, is actually Tumi’s father. Not Thato Mokoena, the foreman she murdered in the first season of the flick…
The 4th season of The River began in June this year, with the 98th episode premiering today 23 June at 8 p.m. Determined not to ruin much of the suspense, 1Magic could only volunteer passing detail on the season and episode (89).
According to 1Magic, while Lindiwe sought help she didn’t really need, Cobra and Kedibone struggled to trust Morena. In the intervening episodes, Lindiwe, who had kept a brave face all along, struggled to maintain the same.
Season 1
NO |
Real Name |
Stage Name |
1 | Presley Chweneyagae | Cobra |
2 | Moshidi Motshegwa | Malefu |
3 | Hlomla Dandala | Zweli |
4 | Lawrence Maleka | Zolani |
5 | Lunga Shabalala | Lindani |
6 | Larona Moagi | Itumeleng |
7 | Sindi Dlathu | Lindiwe Dlamini |
8 | Don Mlangeni Nawa | Thato |
9 | Tinah Mnumzana | Flora |
10 | Tango Ncetezo | Paulina |
11 | Thapelo Sebogodi | Khabzela |
12 | Matshepo Sekgopi | Dimpho |
13 | Edmund Ngema | Detective (as Thokozani Edmund |
14 | Ngema) | |
15 | Themba Nofemele | Detective |
16 | Mbali Ngiba | Lab Technician |
17 | Chuck Shisana | Detective Tshabalala |
18 | Thulane Kubheka | Pastor |
19 | Thoko Ntshinga | Nomhle |
20 | Ferry Jele | Veronica |
21 | Zenzo Ngqobe | Percy |
22 | Siyabonga Sepotokele | Njabulo (as Siya Sepotokele) |
23 | Lekoane Phasumane | Luzuko |
24 | Nomsa Buthelezi | Wedding Planner |
25 | Siyasanga Kobese | Social Worker |
26 | Busiswa Mambi | Mrs Sibiya |
27 | Refilwe Modiselle | Wedding Planner Assistant |
28 | Maduvha Madima | Minister Lufuno Joyful Mudau |
29 | Renate Stuurman | Sheree Jacobson |
30 | Charles Baloyi | Shakes |
31 | Warren Masemola | Oupa |
32 | Sana Mchunu | Matilda (as Sannah Mcunu) |
33 | Shannon Esra | Sandra Stein |
34 | Kirsten Mohamed | Kim |
35 | Sello Maake Ka-Ncube | Uncle Sechaba |
36 | Gert-Johan Coetzee | Gert-Johan Coetzee |
37 | Thabo Malema | Ten Ten |
38 | K Naomi | Wedding Planner |
39 | Thulani Didi | Polony |
40 | Kere Nyawo | Vetkoek |
41 | Sheena Deepnarain | Journalist (as Sheena Deepnarian) |
42 | Connie Ferguson | Harriet Khoza |
43 | Simo Magwaza | Skhumbuzo |
44 | Nokuthula Ledwaba | Angel |
45 | Brenda Ngxoli | Dambisa |
46 | David Mohloki | Union Leader |
47 | TK Sebothoma | Happy |
48 | Kennedy Stab | Goliath |
49 | T.J. Mokhuane | Tshepo |
50 | Anele Zondo | Faith |
51 | Zenokuhle Maseko | Mbali |
52 | Maxx Moticoe | TJ |
53 | Pfarelo Mulondo | Litha (as Pharelo Mulondo) |
Season 2
NO |
Real Name |
Stage Name |
1 | Presley Chweneyagae | Cobra |
2 | Moshidi Motshegwa | Malefu |
3 | Hlomla Dandala | Zweli |
4 | Lawrence Maleka | Zolani |
5 | Lunga Shabalala | Lindani |
6 | Larona Moagi | Itumeleng |
7 | Sindi Dlathu | Lindiwe Dlamini |
8 | Tinah Mnumzana | Flora |
9 | Tango Ncetezo | Paulina |
10 | Thapelo Sebogodi | Khabzela |
11 | Matshepo Sekgopi | Dimpho |
12 | Chuck Shisana | Detective Tshabalala |
13 | Thoko Ntshinga | Nomhle |
14 | Ferry Jele | Veronica |
15 | Zenzo Ngqobe | Percy |
16 | Siyabonga Sepotokele | Njabulo (as Siya Sepotokele) |
17 | Maduvha Madima | Minister Lufuno Joyful Mudau |
18 | Warren Masemola | Oupa |
19 | Kirsten Mohamed | Kim |
20 | Sello Maake Ka-Ncube | Uncle Sechaba |
21 | Thabo Malema | Ten Ten |
22 | Nokuthula Ledwaba | Angel |
23 | Brenda Ngxoli | Dambisa |
24 | David Mohloki | Union Leader |
25 | Neo Mothopeng | Surgeon |
26 | Nthabi Thomas | Reporter 1 |
27 | Winnie Ntshaba | Zodwa (as Bawinile Ntshaba) |
28 | Masasa Mbangeni | Akhona |
29 | Robert Whitehead | Judge Christopher Knowles |
30 | Justin Strydom | Christo |
31 | Mmarona Motshegoa | Precious |
32 | Sibusiso Black Madondo | Jackie (as Sbusiso Black Madondo) |
33 | Sana Mchunu | Matilda (as Sannah Mchunu) |
34 | Nkanyiso Bhengu | Pastor Mdluli |
35 | Mary-anne Barlow | Gail |
36 | David Sherwood | Priest |
37 | Judith Sephuma | Musician |
38 | David Konrad | Doctor |
39 | David James | Nigel |
40 | Sibongile Nojila | Regina |
41 | Sikeleiwa Vuyeleni | Receptionist |
42 | Nolwazi Shange | Minister Patience Mhlongo |
43 | T.J. Mokhuane | Tshepo |
44 | Tsholofelo Matshaba | Kedibone Mokoena |
45 | Anele Zondo | Faith |
46 | Zenokuhle Maseko | Mbali |
47 | Sphamandla Dhludhlu | Mavusana |
Season 3
NO |
Real Name |
Stage Name |
1 | Presley Chweneyagae | Cobra |
2 | Hlomla Dandala | Zweli |
3 | Lawrence Maleka | Zolani |
4 | Lunga Shabalala | Lindani |
5 | Larona Moagi | Itumeleng |
6 | Sindi Dlathu | Lindiwe Dlamini |
7 | Tinah Mnumzana | Flora |
8 | Don Mlangeni Nawa | Thato |
9 | Tango Ncetezo | Paulina |
10 | Thapelo Sebogodi | Khabzela |
11 | Matshepo Sekgopi | Dimpho |
12 | Chuck Shisana | Detective Tshabalala |
13 | Ferry Jele | Veronica |
14 | Zenzo Ngqobe | Percy |
15 | Siyabonga Sepotokele | Njabulo (as Siya Sepotokele) |
16 | Maduvha Madima | Minister Lufuno Joyful Mudau |
17 | Warren Masemola | Oupa |
18 | Sello Maake Ka-Ncube | Uncle Sechaba |
19 | Brenda Ngxoli | Dambisa |
20 | Winnie Ntshaba | Zodwa (as Bawinile Ntshaba) |
21 | Nkanyiso Bhengu | Pastor Mdluli |
22 | Sibongile Nojila | Regina |
23 | Nolwazi Shange | Minister Patience Mhlongo |
24 | Tsholofelo Matshaba | Kedibone Mokoena |
25 | David Sherwood | Pastor |
26 | Themba ka-Nyathi | Butcher (as Themba KaNyathi) |
27 | Lunathi Mampofu | Emma |
28 | Yonda Thomas | Morapedi |
29 | Mavuso Magabane | Nsizwa (as Meshack Magabane) |
30 | Motlatsi Mafatshe | Fose |
31 | Phoenix Baaitse | Doctor 1 |
32 | Tumi Masemola | Bontle |
33 | Sam Medupe | Elias |
34 | Dianne Simpson | Marriage Counsellor |
35 | Nokuthula Ledwaba | Angelina (as Nokuthula Mavuso) |
36 | Rea Rangaka | JJ |
37 | Seputla Sebogodi | Mohumi |
38 | Lulu Hela | Angelina’s Lawyer |
39 | Mothusi Magano | Modiri |
40 | Mankoko Mokhari | Modiri’s Wife |
41 | Thembinkosi Mthembu | Mabutho |
42 | Zenokuhle Maseko | Mbali |
43 | Sphamandla Dhludhlu | Mavusana |
Season 4
NO |
Real Name |
Stage Name |
1 | Presley Chweneyagae | Cobra |
2 | Hlomla Dandala | Zweli |
3 | Lawrence Maleka | Zolani |
4 | Sindi Dlathu | Lindiwe Dlamini |
5 | Tinah Mnumzana | Flora |
6 | Tsholofelo Matshaba | Kedibone Mokoena |
7 | Thembinkosi Mthembu | Mabutho |
8 | Tango Ncetezo | Paulina |
9 | Thapelo Sebogodi | Khabzela |
10 | Matshepo Sekgopi | Dimpho |
11 | Thoko Ntshinga | Nomhle |
12 | Ferry Jele | Veronica |
13 | Zenzo Ngqobe | Percy |
14 | Siyabonga Sepotokele | Njabulo (as Siya Sepotokele) |
15 | Warren Masemola | Oupa |
16 | Nkanyiso Bhengu | Pastor Mdluli |
17 | Tumi Masemola | Bontle |
18 | Nokuthula Ledwaba | Angelina (as Nokuthula Mavuso) |
19 | Seputla Sebogodi | Mohumi |
20 | Mzwandile Ngubeni | Elvis |
21 | Sphamandla Dhludhlu | Mavusana |
22 | Seipati Motshwane | Augustine |
23 | Charmaine Mtinta | Zungazi |
24 | Antony Coleman | Thomas Cullen |
25 | Kate Normington | Elaine Cullen |
26 | Palesa Mocuminyane | Cressida |