The River (South African TV series)


The River is a South African television series created by Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon. It is an M-Net original production produced by Tshedza Pictures for DStv's premium general entertainment subscription channel One Magic and is available for streaming on Naspers subscription-based video-on-demand service Showmax. Sindi Dlathu plays the lead role as the mining magnate Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana, alongside a star cast that includes Hlomla Dandala and Presley Chweneyagae and Larona Mogai
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. When Lindiwe murders Thato Mokoena for the diamond, she sets in motion a tragic set of events that deepen the divide between the haves and the have-nots. The thrill-a-minute telenovela sees worlds collide in spectacular fashion. One side of the river is home to those who will go to any lengths to keep their wealth; the other by those who have little to show for their hard work and Emma came in Dikanas life and tried to ruin them but lindiwe stopped her and she murdered her

Plot

The River tells the story of Khanyisa Diamonds mine owner Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana, who is ruthless and calculating, 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, lives 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, being 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 one of the foremen, 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 in 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 the one half of a necklace her birthmother 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 and 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 while 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 died 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. Everyone 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 got disrupted by riots. Thuso then 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 couldn't keep such a secret so he told his friend Charlie about the stolen diamonds.
Lindiwe and Zolani brutally torture Charlie, for information about the stolen diamonds, they got the information they needed they went to Lindani's house and searched for the stolen diamonds.
Then they found the diamonds then 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 then Tumi plans on a revenge by tampering the car brakes then Mbali cries and fears that her mother is what people call her. She then takes her mother's car which had the brakes tampered with. Mbali then dies in a tragic accident by mistake.

Season 3

Season 3 starts with the confusion and heartbreak of Tumi. Lindiwe begins to feel that she is being punished for her sins. Mbali's funeral is later held. Tumi confesses to killing Mbali and is eventually killed by Lindiwe. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production of The River has stopped, with episode 75 being the last one to air. Zolani finds love in a girl called Emma but after realising that Zolani is just an employee of Lindiwe she persuades him to sue thus causing conflict between the two.

Cast

Guest stars as of season 1