Season 1
The Wife is a South African telenovela inspired by characters and events from the Hlomu book series by Dudu Busani-Dube - Hlomu the Wife, Zandile the Resolute and Naledi His Love - which follow the lives of the eight Zulu brothers, a formidable crime family, through the eyes of the wives they marry.
The Wife follows the love story of a feisty young journalist, Hlomu (Mbalenhle Mavimbela), and the unpredictable taxi driver and taxi owner, Mqhele (Bonko Khoza).
However, their story is the anchor around which others live – as much as The Wife is a show about a young couple in love, it's also about loyalty, family and the lengths people go to in the name of both.
While on her way to work, Hlomu bumps her car into Qhawe's taxi.
When she comes out to apologise, the Zulu brother is immediately lovestruck, noticing how beautiful she is.
Hlomu hands him her business card and arranges to pay for the damage caused, but Qhawe tells her not to worry about it.
In the afternoon of the same day, she decides to take a taxi because her car is damaged after the collision with Qhawe.
Mqhele sees her coming and has a love-at-first-sight moment.
Overcome with emotion, Mqhele grabs the keys from Qhawe's hand and drives off with Hlomu in the car.
Qhawe is the one who first fell in love with her, but he failed to put a plan into action until his brother beat him to it.
Much to the passengers' disappointment, Mqhele stops the taxi and goes out of his way to steal Hlomu's heart by buying her an ice cream.
What follows after is daily taxi rides to and from work, the charming taxi driver continuing to sweep Hlomu off her feet, while she is having relationship problems with her doctor boyfriend, Sandile (Kay Sibiya).
What Hlomu does not know is the type of business that Mqhele and his brothers are into, or the struggles she will have to face in future if she allows Mqhele to sweep her off her feet.
Will their love survive bitter feuds and the demons that surround them?
The rest of the Zulu brothers are played by Kwenzo Ngcobo (Qhawe), Sipho Ndlovu (Sambulo); Abdul Khoza (Nqoba); Mondli Makhoba (Nkosana); Thulane Shange (Mqoqi); Swelihle Luthuli (Ntsika) and Ishmauel Songo (Mpande).
The Wife is a Showmax Original Production, executive produced for Stained Glass TV by Gugu Zuma-Ncube, Pepsi Pokane and Theogaren Moodley.
The executive producers for Showmax are Yolisa Phahle, Allan Sperling and Nomsa Philiso.
The head writer is Thuli Zuma, with a team of storyliners including Julian Koboekae, Thuthu Zuma and Ntando Mhlongo.
The directors are Fikile Mogodi, Eric Mogale and Nthabiseng Mokoena.
The original score is by Brendan Jury, with additional music by Oskido Entertainment.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Mbalenhle Mavimbela ... Hlomu
Bonko Khoza ... Mqhele
Recurring / Guests
Abdul Khoza ... Nqoba
Ntando Mncube ... Geja
Siyabonga Shibe ... Gwaza
Thuli Phongolo ... Lerato
Kay Sibiya ... Sandile
Kabelo Moalusi ... Luxolo
Sifiso Simamane ... Bab Majola
Mondli Makhoba ... Nkosana
Sipho Ndlovu ... Sambulo
Kwenzo Ngcobo ... Qhawe
Thulane Shange ... Mqoqi
Ishmauel Songo ... Mpande
Swelihle Luthuli ... Ntsika
Nhlanhla Vezi ... Bab Elias
Collin Sepamatla ... Taxi Driver 1
Muzi Vilakazi ... Police Detective
Hlongwana Nqobile ... Cashier
Ntombifuthi Simelane ... Passenger 1
Moormore Nyome ... Man 1
Okuhle Ngcobo ... Sondo
Bheki Vilakazi ... Bab Gumbi
Nhlanhla Masiya ... Ngobe
Reneilwe Leboko ... Young Boy
Chris Khumalo ... Old Man
Errol Ndotho ... Nyanga
Msaki ... Artist
Zikhona Sodlaka ... Mandisa
Lindah Majola ... Langa
Vusimuzi Kambule ... Taxi Boss 1
Brutus Somoya Ndebele ... Taxi Boss 2
Josias Shokogola ... Taxi Boss 3
Thami Shabangu ... Taxi Boss 4
Jeremiah Mabasa ... Taxi Boss 5
Ikobeng Moatlhodi ... Thabo
Bafana Ka Kheswa ... Bab Phineas
Ruby Mthethwa ... Ma Phineas
Ntokozo Bunda ... Gent 1
Mntwangenza Sokhela ... Gent 2
Ndumiso Mlaga ... Gent 3
Thabisa Mabula ... Nurse
Khulas Mazibuko ... Security Guard 1
Nathi Kalipa ... Taxi Heavyweight 1
Thabo Sekati ... Community Member 1
Dumisani Dlamini ... Dlakadla
Magic Hlatshwayo ... Chief
Bongani Madondo ... Chief's Aid
Siyabonga Lukhelo ... Priest
Busiswe Moyana ... Mourner 1
Khosi Hlomuka ... Mourner 2
Kabelo Shabangu ... Kasi Dancer
Sthabile Sango ... Kasi Dancer
Siyabulela Mguba ... Crony
Sihle Nkutha ... Lwandle
Lungile Khanye ... Mvelo
Siluleko Zungu ... Sbani
Moeketsi Mkhabela ... Ndumiso
Pearl Letlhake ... Madubela Aunt
Monica Ngobeni ... Mandisa's Aunt
Themba Ncusana ... Mandisa's Uncle
Mnatha Vika ... Man 1
Saint Seseli ... Bab'Dladla
Ayanda Nhlangothi ... Mam'Dladla
Sithembiso Mkhize ... Young Dlakadla
Elliott Mabulane ... Uniformed Cop
Dashey Sentsho ... Police Officer #1
Thabo Mokoena ... Community Member #1
Frans Malaka ... Community Member #2
Abongile Ndwandwe ... Little Girl
Gift Leotlela ... Constable Mabaso
Thembela Kheni ... Taxi Boss #1
Jabulani Ngcobo ... Taxi Boss #2
Gugu Ndwandwe ... Shongololo
Qiniso Nyathi ... Community Elder
Aaron Nyembe ... Guy #1
Kamogelo Molatlhoe ... Bontle
Mbasa Msongelo ... Sambulo's Friend
Tiisetso Masondo ... Junior Writer
Zanele Siyolo ... Designer
Cleo Molepo ... Make-up Artist
Sarel Swanepoel ... Shaun
Mbulelo Mandindi ... Priest
Jude HarpStar ... Artist
Sello Tshomela ... Hair Stylist
Kingsley Gwagwa ... Bab Mfolozi
Siphindile Mathenjwa ... Ma Skhosana
Jabulani Mthembu ... Sbopho
Cebo Mbatha ... Young Mqhele
Ntsizwa Zwane ... Young Nkosana
Mthokozisi Shabangu ... Young Sambulo
Koano Molekoa ... Young Nqoba
Nthokozisi Nkabinde ... Young Qhawe
Yena Shibe ... Young Mqoqi
Ntando Shabangu ... Young Mpande
Azande Ndlovu ... Young Zandile
Sithembiso Mkhize ... Young Dlakadla
Akocia Martin ... Baby Ntsika
Khanyiso Dukuza ... Young Mzimela
Simiso Hoyi ... Rebel Leader
Bongani Mnisi ... Tied-Up Man
Nomfusi Magazi ... Receptionist
Vusi Kunene ... Bab Mzimela
Itumeleng Bokaba ... Jabu
Lindokuhle Mchunu ... Inyanga
Yonela Siziba ... Receptionist
Maureen Wells ... Ma'Nsundu
Elliot Makhubo ... Selias
Bayanda Khathini ... Bayanda
Precious Ndlovu ... Jabu's Mother
Sipho Moato ... Jabu's Father
Phumelele Davids ... Jabu's Uncle
Thuso Nyelimane ... Jabu's Uncle
Nigel Mpofu ... Jabu's Brother
Austin Gumede ... Undertaker
Happy Mawasha ... Undertaker
Mpumi M ... News Anchor
Divine Ncuna ... Police (Plain Clothes)
Lindiwe Makhubu ... Police (Plain Clothes)
Bhekani Msweli ... Police (Plain Clothes)
Sandile Skhosana ... Suspect
Boitumelo Merafe ... Pastor
Robertson Mbuti Luthuli ... Priest
Sokhulu Mthiyane ... Police Commissioner
Anathi Mkoshana ... Blesser's Baby Mama
Mpumelelo Manganya ... Reporter
Nonkoliso Rapodile ... HT Lady
Nkanyiso Ntanda ... Baby
Thandeka Nodada ... Palesa
Khanyi Mbau ... Zandile
Linda Ngele ... Prudence
Thabiso Mabula ... Nurse
Bonga Dladla ... Taxi Boss 1
Simon Nkawane ... Taxi Boss 2
Igaebonwe ... Taxi Boss 3
Zanele Mthalane ... OB-GYN
Nhlanhla Mtshali ... Richard
Mduduzi Nyanga ... Hotel Supervisor
Clayton Makga ... Waiter
Sipho Mawewa ... Taxi Driver 1
Bongani Nkosi ... Taxi Driver 2
Mthunzi Dubazana ... Buyer
Zweli Msezane ... Customer 1
Noko Ratema ... Customer 2
Patricia Mmalo ... Prison Guard
Avele Fumba ... Police Officer 1
Nelson Ntombela ... Javas / Jampas
Saint Cedrice Mkhonza ... Security Guard
Jack Mabokachaba ... Langa's Date
Samke Mkhize ... Nomusa
Kabelo Matolo ... Warden
Tumelo Matsema ... Warden
Patricia Mmalo ... Prison Guard