The River fans have invested five years in the series to date and it's good to see that DStv hasn't kicked the show to the curb like a piece of mouldy bread.
The production's still investing new life in it, despite
its cancellation and exodus of signature characters which will hopefully avoid a situation whereby the show hits a button of "fading, fading, gone."
Too many new characters would be a problem because the series has to remain true to its core but some former characters are returning too.
Will these developments keep you watching until the end?
Here's a companion pack with production bios of the new characters, starting with the source of all the trouble - Lindiwe's mother, who debuts on 4 October:
New!
Thandeka Dlamini
Played by Thembi Mtshali-Jones
We encounter her for the first time when Lindiwe learns of her whereabouts.
Character Description
Thandeka was the belle of the town in her time. A beautiful woman with sharp eyes and an even sharper tongue. Lindiwe is the epitome of her mother’s daughter in this regard.
A social butterfly, loved by many, and a vixen wanted by men, Thandeka wasn’t much of a shining light to her kids.
Her parenting wasn’t just a little too strict, she was cruel and barely present. The harsh realities within Thandeka’s community, coupled with her own terrible upbringing and just how ill-equipped she was to parent, made for a cocktail of chaos and malice for Lindiwe, Nolwazi and their cousin, Zolani’s father.
Thandeka struck first and asked questions later. A staunch believer in “Spare the rod, spoil the child” motto even when there wasn’t a need.
Even though Thandeka’s cruelty and lovelessness sent Lindiwe running from her family and
shaped her into the monster she is, she got the homemaker gene from Thandeka.
The cooking, the hosting of elaborate parties and playing host with the most; it’s all a leaf out of Thandeka’s book because Thandeka had a party in her house almost every day of the week, even if it meant putting her kids out in the dead of winter, or in the middle of exams.
Background
Lindiwe’s father snatched Thandeka up and married her while she was still riding the wave of her prime.
Forced to settle down and be a home maker, she grew embittered and felt trapped. And all the anger and resentment she felt towards her husband, she took out on his spawns.
But living in a mining town provided her with the opportunity to rebel against his tyrannous rule and live her best life, with whomever the hell she pleased.
Paballo Motaung
Played by Khutjo Green
Paballo is an old friend of Kedibone’s from prison. She comes into our world after being newly released and on the hunt for Kedibone to reconnect.
Who is she?
Paballo is the kind of woman that fills a home with warmth, and leaves hearts yearning to be loved by her because of the light she radiates and the laughter that fills her up.
She’s captivating, funny and beautiful, and even though she knows she’s beautiful, she has no airs about her. So besides Kedibone and Paballo’s deep and undeniable connection, this is what drew Kedibone to her.
Even though fate dealt her a terrible hand by landing her in prison, Paballo has been able to pick herself up to rebuild herself again.
Paballo and Kedibone banded together in prison and helped each other through the most difficult time in their lives. And out of this kinship, their romance was born.
Undefined and intensified by the sense that it is them against the world, their romance stayed behind the prison walls with Paballo when Kedibone was released.
Background
Paballo found herself in prison and her life irrevocably changed after she dated her boss and found herself as a scape goat for his fraudulent dealings.
The man fled the country and she went down for his crimes. And that is the tragedy that started her story with Kedibone.
Zanemvula Shange
Played by Ayanda Borotho
Zanemvula is Nomafu’s older sister. She comes into our world to visit Nomafu and her family, while
on a trip in South Africa for an interview for a dream job, with the hopes of moving back home from
Ghana.
Who is she?
Zanemvula has travelled the world, has studied extensively and now proudly holds a doctorate. She has travelled far and wide to become who and what she is.
Zanemvula is the polar opposite of Nomafu. She is a scholarly woman of many accomplishments and believes strongly in leading a principled life, and this is what makes Nomafu’s life choices such an issue of contention between the sisters.
Where Nomafu would rather lie, steal and cheat while Zanemvula would rather toil, break her back and achieve on her own merit. Zanemvula is a great source of inspiration for Khwezi, something that grates Nomafu.
Zanemvula and Nomafu’s relationship is rigged with a bit of animosity and resentment, disguised as sibling rivalry.
They take pleasure in poking fun at each other, constantly bickering and comparing themselves to each other, always seemingly in jest. This takes an ugly turn when Nomafu fakes Zanemvula’s death in order to cash in on the life insurance she took out on her older sister.
Zanemvula digs her heels in for once, and fights for herself.
Background
Unlike Nomafu, Zanemvula did not get the same love and adoration from her mother.
She grew up in the shadows, forced to shrink herself in an attempt to never anger her mother, and Nomafu’s father, the man she later discovered is not her biological father.
She was heartbroken and realised that this was why her mother was so cruel to her because she didn't want to be embarassed by the truth.
Because of the love and belonging she was deprived of, Zanemvula has gone through her life making
a monument of herself, that she may never be found lacking, in the hopes that one day, her mother
will see her too, and give her the same love she afforded Nomafu.
Gogo Stella
Played by Nandi Nyembe
Gogo Stella is Nomafu and Zanemvula’s mother. Gogo Stella unceremoniously tumbles into our world in a rush to defend Nomafu from Zanemvula when the sibling rivalry turns ugly because of Nomafu faking Zanemvula’s death.
Who is she?
Gogo Stella ruled her children with an iron fist and would rather be feared and respected than doted upon by her children.
This is the mother that Zanemvula got, but this is not the case for Nomafu. Gogo Stella’s treatment of her daughters is so jarring that one would assume they were raised by two different mothers.
Nomafu was loved, protected and afforded whatever her heart desired if was within her mother’s reach, while Zane was treated like a second class citizen, subjected to shaming, belittling and constant criticism.
To this day, Nomafu can do no wrong, while Zanemvula can do nothing right in Gogo Stella’s eyes. And this is the case when Gogo Stella runs to Nomafu’s rescue.
Gogo Stella does not even acknowledge that what Nomafu did is wrong, she lays all the blame at Zane’s feet, livid with her for bringing shame to Nomafu in her marital home.
Background
Gogo Stella was ill equipped to parent and had Zanemvula out of wedlock, and so their lives before she married Nomafu’s father was of hardship and survival.
When Nomafu’s father came knocking on her door with cows for her hand, she took it upon herself to be the best wife, even at the cost of her own daughter’s well being.
Zane had a roof over her head, was clothed and provided for. Any other needs she expected to be met were regarded as greed and entitlement.
Also new are
Kamo Modisakeng as sheltered
Bonolo, already been introduced on screen.
And
Tebogo Khalo who plays
Makhosi, described as resourceful and manipulative.
Back
Thapelo Sebogodi and
Nkanyiso Bhengu are reprising their roles as
Khabzela and
Pastor Mdluli.
Gone
Angelina. Nokuthula Mavuso makes her final appearance on 31 July.