The River (South African TV series)

The River is a South African television series created by Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon.[2] It is an M-Net original production produced by Tshedza Pictures for DStv's general entertainment subscription channel One Magic and is available for streaming on Naspers subscription-based video-on-demand service Showmax. From 2019 reruns began airing on Mzansi Magic.

The River
GenreDrama Telenovela
Created byPhathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon
Written byChrista Biyela
Lebogang Magashoa
Bonga Percy Vilakazi
Thato Dipholo
Donna Sibande
Nandisa Mkhize
Caroline Kganyago
Sthembile Mnisi
Kelton Sinyosi
Shitshembiso Mabasa
Directed byJohnny Barbuzano
Ferry Jele
Catharine Cooke
Sandile Mdluli
Zolani Phakade
Creative directorsJohnny Barbuzano
Bonga Percy Vilakazi
StarringSindi Dlathu
Hlomla Dandala
Presley Chweneyagae
Lawrence Maleka
Larona Moagi
Lunga Shabalala
Tinah Mnumzana
Lunga Mofokeng
Tango Ncetezo
Matshepo Mokgopi
Linda Mtoba
Galaletsang Koffman
Thapelo Segohadi Tsholo Matshaba
Thembinkosi Mthembu
Chuck Shisane
Theme music composerBrendan Jury
Sindi Dlathu
Opening themeBlues Saraceno[1]
ComposersBrendan Jury
Sindi Dlathu
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languagesEnglish
Setswana
IsiZulu
IsiXhosa
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes715 (as of 23 October 2020)
Production
Executive producers
  • Phathutshedzo Makwarela
  • Gwydion Beynon
  • Sindi Dlathu
Producers
Candice Tennant
Bonga Percy Vilakazi
Production locationsCullinan Diamond Mine
Refilwe
Silver Lakes
EditorsBongi Malefo
Ula Oelsen
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Release
Original network1Magic
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
576i (SDTV)
Original release29 January 2018 (2018-01-29) — present
External links
Website

The drama series is set in Pretoria against the backdrop of South Africa's mining sector. A diamond discovery in the river running between the poor township of Refilwe and the affluent neighbourhood of Silver Lakes quickly turns from a blessing to a curse.

Plot

The River tells the story of Khanyisa Diamonds mine owner Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana, who is ruthless and calculating,[3] and the extent she will go to in order to protect her family and maintain her lavish lifestyle. Lindiwe is married to provincial police commissioner Zweli Dikana, and is a mother to Andile and Mbali Dikana, step-mother to Nomonde Dikana. The Dikanas live in a mansion in Pretoria East, South Africa.

In the township of Refilwe, where Khanyisa Diamonds is located, live poverty stricken residents, many of whom work at the mine. The Mokoena family, consisting of Malefu Mokoena and her children, Thuso, Dimpho and Itumeleng, live in Refilwe. Unbeknownst to everyone except Malefu, Tumi is adopted, having been found at a river as a baby by her late adoptive father, Thato Mokoena.

Season 1

Lindiwe's mine is about to go bankrupt when foreman Thato Mokoena finds an alluvial diamond, whose worth is later revealed to be $45 million, in the river that runs through the township of Refilwe while fishing. Lindiwe murders Thato Mokoena and places the diamond in her mine for her miners to find, so that the discovery is made on her land, while also covering up the murder.

Malefu Mokoena struggles to raise her children after her husband's death. Her oldest son, Thuso, is frequently in and out of jail. Her adopted daughter, Tumi, marries Lindiwe's nephew, Zolani Dlamini, and moves into the Dikana household. Following their wedding, Lindiwe employs Tumi as the CSR Officer at Khanyisa Diamonds. Lindiwe attempts to steal the land in Refilwe to mine, but her plan is foiled when Tumi dissents, realising Lindiwe's intentions.

Malefu discovers Tumi had a hand in Lindiwe's plan. Malefu disowns Tumi and tells her she was adopted, and gives Tumi half of a necklace her birth mother left her with. Tumi divorces Zolani, who reveals that Lindiwe killed her father. Tumi and her new boyfriend, Lindani, attempt to find evidence by returning to the Dikana mansion. While searching Lindiwe's desk, Tumi discovers Lindiwe is her biological mother. Tumi attempts to reach Lindiwe so they can talk, but is kidnapped and taken to the mine, where she is buried alive by Lindiwe, who knows that Zolani told Tumi of Thato Mokoena's murder.

Lindiwe finds Tumi's message and realising she has buried her own child, attempts suicide by shooting herself.

Season 2

Tumi is rescued by Lindani, while Lindiwe makes a full recovery. Tumi subsequently files charges against Lindiwe. Her quest for justice turns sour, as she becomes the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Lindiwe. Subsequently, Lindiwe files charges against Tumi, arguing in court that Tumi is an agent of white monopoly capital sent to destroy her company.

Lindiwe frees Paulina from prison in exchange for Lindani's silence in order to win the case. Her husband finds out she actually did commit the crimes and exiles her to a life of poverty as punishment.

Reeling from her parents' divorce and her mother's disappearance, Mbali resorts to drugs and is kidnapped by her dealer. Nomonde takes over as the CEO of Khanyisa Diamonds and Zweli turns to a prostitute for company.

After rescuing Mbali, Zweli informs his children of Lindiwe's misdeeds. In Refilwe, Cobra and Paulina contest an interim ward election after the councillor dies from a heart attack. Paulina is set to win until Percy and Oupa plant fake votes in favour of Cobra.

Cobra wins the election and invites Paulina to join the Council. Lindiwe resurfaces in Refilwe and takes up refuge in the shack she grew up in. Every one of her contacts abandon her when they realise she has lost her power. Tumi finds out Lindiwe is in Refilwe and sets her shack on fire, with Lindiwe inside. Zolani rescues Lindiwe and Sis Flora takes them in out of pity.

Lindiwe pretends to have turned over a new leaf and misleads everyone into believing she is a changed person, as she bides her time and calculates her return. Cobra uses his position as councillor to unfairly award tenders. Nomonde struggles to keep the mine afloat while juggling her relationship with Lindani. After Nomonde is nearly killed by the miners, she begins looking for a new CEO for Khanyisa Diamonds.

Gail Mathabatha enters the lives of the Dikanas when she is hired as Khanyisa's new CEO. Soon she is involved in a romantic relationship with Zweli to Lindiwe's chagrin, setting the latter on a quest for everything she holds dear - her family, her marriage and her mine. She is later killed by Lindiwe on her wedding day.

Thuso together with Percy and Oupa successfully steal Lindiwe's diamonds at the diamond launch which was disrupted by riots. Thuso gives the diamonds to Lindani who is now Tumi's husband so that he doesn't get caught by police as he knows that he will be the prime suspect.

Lindani can't keep such a secret so he tells his friend Charlie about the stolen diamonds. Lindiwe and Zolani brutally torture Charlie for information about the stolen diamonds. They get the information they needed, go to Lindani's house and find the stolen diamonds. A drunk and depressed Lindani enters the house and is immediately shot by Lindiwe.

Tumi and Mbali overhear a conversation between Lindiwe and Zolani celebrating their successful mission. Tumi plans on revenge by tampering with the car's brakes. Mbali cries and fears that her mother is what people call her. She takes her mother's car which has had the brakes tampered with. She dies in a tragic accident by mistake.

Season 3

Season 3 starts with the confusion and heartbreak of Tumi. Lindiwe feels that she is being punished for her sins. Mbali's funeral is held. Zolani finds love with a girl called Emma. When she realises that he is just an employee of Lindiwe, she persuades him to sue, causing conflict between the two. Zolani finds out about Emma's lies and breaks up with her. Zolani and Lindiwe fix their relationship.

A woman from Cobra's past comes with his son, Morena. Morena steals from the residents of Refilwe but Cobra doesn't believe them until he steals from Dimpho. Andile's boyfriend Njabulo comes back with a friend, Mondli. Mondli and Njabulo are in a relationship and Andile breaks up with him. Andile has an attempted suicide and he and Njabulo get back together. Mabutho and Tumi begin an affair and Andile finds out about it. Tumi breaks it off and walks out of her and Lindani's bedroom. The Dikanas and Lindani are downstairs and see them. Mabutho admits that he and Tumi are in love.

Cast

Actor Character Seasons
1 2 3
Sindi Dlathu Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana Main
Larona Moagi Itumeleng "Tumi" Mokoena Main
Presley Chweneyagae Thuso "Cobra" Mokoena Main
Hlomla Dandala Commissioner Zweli Dikana Main
Lawrence Maleka Zolani Dlamini Main
Lunga Shabalala Lindani Dlomo Main
Tinah Mnumzana Sis Flora Main
Lunga Mofokeng Andile Dikana Main
Linda Mtoba Nomonde Dikana Main
Tango Ncetezo Paulina Mokoena Main
Matshepo Mokgopi Dimpho Mokoena Main
Jet Novuka Walter Recurring Does not appear
Galaletsang Koffman Beauty Main
Thapelo Segobodi Khabzela Main
Tsholofelo Matshaba Kedibone Does not appear Main
Thembinkosi Mthembu Mabutho Does not appear Main
Chuck Shisane Detective Tshabalala Recurring
Connie Ferguson Harriet Khoza Guest Does not appear
Brenda Ngxoli Dambisa Dikana Recurring Does not appear
Siya Sepotokele Njabulo Recurring Recurring Recurring
Ferry Jele Veronica Recurring
Mary-Ann Barlow Gail Mathabatha Does not appear Guest Does not appear

Guest stars as of season 1 - present

Awards and nominations

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 Won
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

References

  1. "The river". Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  2. "The River Telenovela". Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  3. Mnganga, Tholakele (10 January 2019). "Screen superstar Sindi Dlathu on juggling her screen roles". Drum.
  4. Shumba, Ano (4 March 2019). "SA Film and Television Awards 2019: All the winners". Music in Africa. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  5. Engelbrecht, Leandra. "All the winners at the 2020 Saftas". channel 24. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
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