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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Drama Telenovela |
| Created by | Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon |
| Written by | Christa Biyela Lebogang Magashoa Bonga Percy Vilakazi Thato Dipholo Donna Sibande Nandisa Mkhize Caroline Kganyago Sthembile Mnisi Kelton Sinyosi Shitshembiso Mabasa |
| Directed by | Johnny Barbuzano Ferry Jele Catharine Cooke Sandile Mdluli Zolani Phakade |
| Creative directors | Johnny Barbuzano Bonga Percy Vilakazi |
| Starring | Sindi 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 composer | Brendan Jury Sindi Dlathu |
| Opening theme | Blues Saraceno[1] |
| Composers | Brendan Jury Sindi Dlathu |
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Original languages | English Setswana IsiZulu IsiXhosa |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 715 (as of 23 October 2020) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers | Candice Tennant Bonga Percy Vilakazi |
| Production locations | Cullinan Diamond Mine Refilwe Silver Lakes |
| Editors | Bongi Malefo Ula Oelsen |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | 1Magic |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) 576i (SDTV) |
| Original release | 29 January 2018 — 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 | ||||
| Galaletsang Koffman | Beauty | Main | ||||
| Thapelo Segobodi | Khabzela | Main | ||||
| Tsholofelo Matshaba | Kedibone | Main | ||||
| Thembinkosi Mthembu | Mabutho | Main | ||||
| Chuck Shisane | Detective Tshabalala | Recurring | ||||
| Connie Ferguson | Harriet Khoza | Guest | ||||
| Brenda Ngxoli | Dambisa Dikana | Recurring | ||||
| Siya Sepotokele | Njabulo | Recurring | Recurring | Recurring | ||
| Ferry Jele | Veronica | Recurring | ||||
| Mary-Ann Barlow | Gail Mathabatha | Guest | ||||
Guest stars as of season 1 - present
- Zenzo Ngqobe as Percival "MaPercente"
- Warren Masemola as Oupa
- Maduvha Madima as Minister Joyful
- Mary Anne Barlow as Gail Mathabatha
- Sello Maake Ka-Ncube as Malome Sechaba
- Shannon Esra as Sandra Stein
- T.J. Mokhuane as Tshepo
- Shahan Ramkissoon as himself
- Masasa Mbangeni as Adv Akhona
- Ntokozo Dlamini as Sihle Ngema
- Thabo Malema as Ten Ten
- Michelle Craig as a journalist
- Robert Whitehead as Judge Christoper Knowles
- Lebogang Tlokana as Dora Phakati
- Winnie Ntshaba as MaDlomo
- Nkanyiso Bhengu as Pastor
- Alina Moloi as Constable Candy
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
- "The river". Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- "The River Telenovela". Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- Mnganga, Tholakele (10 January 2019). "Screen superstar Sindi Dlathu on juggling her screen roles". Drum.
- Shumba, Ano (4 March 2019). "SA Film and Television Awards 2019: All the winners". Music in Africa. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
- Engelbrecht, Leandra. "All the winners at the 2020 Saftas". channel 24. Retrieved 2020-09-18.