Season 1
The River is a South African telenovela created by Gwydion Beynon and Phathutshedzo Makwarela revolving around communities on two different sides of a river: society's upper crust in exquisite mansions who will go to any lengths to maintain their wealth, and the exploited "common folk" who constantly toil with little to show for it.
The series stars Presley Chweneyagae, Sindi Dlathu, Hlomla Dandala, Lawrence Maleka, Lunga Shabalala, Moshidi Motshegwa and newcomer Larona Moagi.
Dlathu plays Lindiwe, a polished and astute mining magnate whose stilettos have squashed anyone who dared stand in the way of her wealth. Moagi is Itumeleng, the young character from the "poor" side of town who wants to put an end to Lindiwe's ruthless gluttony, often at the expense of her beloved community.
Courage and cunning eventually collide when they cannot put their differences aside, resulting in an endless body count. It is a story of ill-placed love, greed, betrayal and blood bonds, combining the allure and ruthlessness of the business world, with the raw essence of township struggles.
The truth won't remain be buried forever...
The River is an M-Net Original Production created and executive produced by Gwydion Beynon and Phathutshedzo Makwarela, for Tshedza Pictures. The duo are also the head writers. The supervising producers are Shona Ferguson and Connie Ferguson. Music is by Brendan Jury.
Cast and Characters
Lindiwe (Sindi Dlathu)
The enigmatic businesswoman who has sacrificed a great deal to become a success; and buries secrets with the same singlemindedness she buries bodies.
Zweli (Hlomla Dandala)
Married to Lindiwe, he completes the picture-perfect power couple that's revered and reviled in equal measure.
Zolani (Lawrence Maleka)
The adopted son of Lindiwe, who bites into forbidden fruit and later witnesses a terrible tragedy.
Thato (Don Mlangeni Nawa)
Itumeleng's father, who meets an unexpected reckoning that haunts his daughter, committing her to a greater cause.
Malefu (Moshidi Motshegwa)
Mother to Itumeleng, matriarch and pillar of strength in the family and township community.
Itumeleng (Larona Moagi)
The feisty young rebel who refuses to be silenced and roll over when her family and community become casualties of greed and excess.
Broadcast Notes
Season 1 originally aired on Mzansi Magic on weekdays at 19h00. This changed to double bills each day from Monday 27 April, 2020, to replace Gomora at 19h30, which went off air due to a COVID-19 production lockdown.
It reverted to single episodes daily from 25 May, 2020.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Presley Chweneyagae ... Cobra
Moshidi Motshegwa ... Malefu
Hlomla Dandala ... Zweli
Lawrence Maleka ... Zolani
Lunga Shabalala ... Lindani
Larona Moagi ... Itumeleng
Sindi Dlathu ... Lindiwe Dlamini
Recurring / Guests
Don Mlangeni Nawa ... Thato
Tinah Mnumzana ... Flora
Tango Ncetezo ... Paulina
Thapelo Sebogodi ... Khabzela
Matshepo Sekgopi ... Dimpho
Galaletsang Koffman ... Beauty
Zenokuhle Maseko ... Mbali
Lunga Mofokeng ... Andile
Tk Sebothoma ... Happy
Anele Zondo ... Faith
Bongani Monareng ... Young Thato
Oratile Matau ... Young Lindiwe
Thabang Matlhobogoane ... Engineer 1
Bongani Sibeko ... Engineer 2
Randy Sidwi ... Baby Tumi
Kutsi Mpanza ... Police Friend
Edmund Ngema ... Detective (as Thokozani Edmund Ngema)
Themba Nofemele ... Detective
Mbuso Nkosi ... Miner
Godfrey Kgopolelo ... Miner
Nthabiseng Mbatha ... Aunt
Mbali Ngiba ... Lab Technician
Kgosi Modiri ... Tavern Customer 1
Zweli Msezane ... Miner
Mothusiemang Sesipi ... Tavern Customer 2
Dennis Madibo ... Minister Sibiya
Thembekile Mrototo ... Thembekile Mrototo
Nomsa Mnisi ... Client
Lucky Cele ... Thug 1
Thabang Majola ... Thug 2
Lesego Sebolai ... Mine Security Guard
Chuck Shisana ... Detective Tshabalala
Thulane Kubheka ... Pastor
Thoko Ntshinga ... Nomhle
Bongani Monareng ... Young Thato
Oratile Matau ... Young Lindiwe
Thabang Matlhobogoana ... Engineer 1 / Geologist 1
Bongani Sibeko ... Engineer 2 / Geologist 2
Randy Sidwi ... Baby Tumi
Stella Dlangalala ... Dodgy Woman
Edgar Sindane ... Robber
Eric Zulu ... Robber Driver (as Eric Singathile Zulu)
Ferry Jele ... Veronica
Zenzo Ngqobe ... Percy
Samuel Livhalani ... Male Driver
Wesley Natana ... Thug
Babalwa Duna ... Party Woman
Kennedy Stab ... Goliath
Dilondeni Singo ... Security Guard
Captain Avele Fumba ... Heist Policeman
Mpho Rodney Seerane ... Police Officer 1
Sammy Nthoke ... Police Officer 2
Magwaza Mathebula ... Police Officer 3
Lunga Mavuso ... Musician
Thato Legend Lengwati ... Homeless Boy
Siyabonga Sepotokele ... Njabulo (as Siya Sepotokele)
Lekoane Phasumane ... Luzuko
Nomsa Buthelezi ... Wedding Planner
Noncedo Maseko ... Inyanga
Siyasanga Kobese ... Social Worker
Busiswa Mambi ... Mrs Sibiya
Refilwe Modiselle ... Wedding Planner Assistant
Yvonne Katsande ... Dr Precious Nhleko
Yamkela Tladi ... Khabonina
Linda Mtoba ... Nomonde
Maduvha Madima ... Minister Lufuno Joyful Mudau
Thulani Msiza ... Shadrack
Malachi Tahile ... Toddler / Tshepo
Zolani Phakade ... Detective Mkhize
Malijeng Nyaphisi ... Lawyer
Belinda Simhle Plaatjies... Lindiwe's Assistant
Karabo Moroe ... Hijacker 1
Muntwangenza Sokhela ... Hijacker 2
Sid ... Snake
Julius Setati ... Thug 1
Bheki Mnisi ... Thug 2
Renate Stuurman ... Sheree Jacobson
Jabu Hlengwa ... Young Woman
Charles Baloyi ... Shakes
Warren Masemola ... Oupa
Luvuyo Mgweba ... Prison Warder
Sana Mchunu ... Matilda (as Sannah Mcunu)
Shannon Esra ... Sandra Stein
Zinzi Nsele ... Doctor
Brenda Ntanza ... Undercover Cop
Sedick de Jongh ... Police Officer
Albert Sepeng ... Uncle Ben
DJ Lamiez Holworthy ... Celebrity DJ - Herself
Themba Manganyi ... Banana Boy 1
Kirsten Mohamed ... Kim
Mdu Zwane ... Banana Boy 2 (as Mdu Cadbury Zwane)
Mangaliso Sauka ... Security Guard
Aaron Rabophala ... Thug 1
Sibusiso Mpofu ... Thug 2
Aluta Mazwi ... Lindiwe's PA / Zolani's PA / HR Lady
Nomasonto Tshabalala ... Tavern Waitress
Zweli Msezane ... Miner
Happy Sechoaro ... Union Leader
Amber Ndlela ... HR Assistant
Pierre van Niekerk ... Koos
Itumeleng Montsho ... Policeman
Jennifer Myburgh ... Koos' Daughter
Simphiwe Tsele ... Prison Guard
Annah Chilando ... Nail Technician
Zinhle Mathenjwa ... Prostitute 2
Angel Mbangiswana ... Prostitute 1
Bheki Yende ... Man in Car
Thomas Manamela ... Angry Man
Bianca Amato ... Julia Hargreaves
Thabiso Mbhele ... Thug 1
Siyabonga Nyangiwe ... Thug 2
Joseph Mvelase ... Community Leader
Mpho Mohapi ... Security Guard
Aldrin Sampear ... Aldrin Sampear
Isiah Tshabalala ... Police Officer
Maxx Moticoe ... TJ
Sithembiso Mkhize ... Tebogo
Pfarelo Mulondo ... Litha (as Pharelo Mulondo)
Mbalenhle Segoe ... Girl
Sello Maake Ka-Ncube ... Uncle Sechaba
Zwelakhe Mtsaka ... Uncle Phakimpi
Pheko Phetoe ... Mindlos (as Pheko PK Phetoe)
Vicky Visagie ... Gert Assistant
Gert-Johan Coetzee ... Gert-Johan Coetzee
Sphumuzo Sidzumo ... Jacob
Thabo Malema ... Taxi Driver / Ten Ten
K Naomi ... Wedding Planner
Lemmy Thabo Aphane ... Security Guard
Warren Ho ... Mr Aiko Chen
Ruarc Peffers ... Auctioneer
Zack Thekiso ... Thug
Zacharia Mogashoa ... Thug
Dumisani Nkabinde ... Drago
Morapedi Motaung ... Uniformed Officer
Thembinkosi Sithole ... Uniformed Officer
Thulani Didi ... Polony
Kere Nyawo ... Vetkoek
Itumeleng Kwinda ... Woman
Koketso Motlhabane ... Zipporah
Willie Mpofu ... Man
Motome Ramothlhola ... Street Kid
Nhlanhla Mtshali ... Security Guard 1
Xolani Mfeka ... Security Guard 2
Sheena Deepnarain ... Journalist (as Sheena Deepnarian)
Connie Ferguson ... Harriet Khoza
T.J. Mokhuane ... Tshepo
Bongani Masibe ... Man
Simo Magwaza ... Skhumbuzo
Nokuthula Ledwaba ... Angel
Tye Ngwane ... Baby Keitumetse
Tyler Ngwane ... Baby Keitumetse
Nkululeko Vilakazi ... Boyfriend
Brenda Ngxoli ... Dambisa
Buhle Radebe ... Collection Lady
Kahil Kalenga ... Mpenda
TT Mbha ... Estate Agent
David Mohloki ... Union Leader
Thabo Setati ... Community Member
Rodney Molalokgotla ... Angry Mob Man