The Wife
Made in South Africa
The Wife is a Showmax Original telenovela that follows the Zulu brothers and the women they marry. All episodes are now streaming.
The Wife series is a Showmax Original telenovela that follows the lives of the eight Zulu brothers, a formidable crime family, through the eyes of the women they marry.
Season 1 is inspired by the novel Hlomu the Wife, a bestseller by Dudu Busani-Dube. Rising star Mbalenhle Mavimbela (Skeem Saam, Isipho) plays “Hlomu the wife”, the journalist who falls in love with a taxi driver, not realising that when you marry a man, you marry his secrets. Her love interest, Mqhele, is played by Bonko Khoza, who burst onto the acting scene as Jabz in the multi-award-winning film Necktie Youth and has since appeared in the likes of Professionals and the Emmy-nominated Roots.
Season 2 is inspired by the follow-up novel, Zandile the Resolute. The role of Zandile, the fierce matriarch of the Zulu family, is played by Khanyi Mbau (Happiness is a Four-Letter Word) and Mondli Makhoba (Umkhokha) reprises his role as Nkosana, the eldest Zulu brother in The Wife.
Produced by Stained Glass, Season 1 of The Wife opened to rave reviews in November 2021, becoming the most-watched launch on Showmax ever. The show trended at the top of Twitter every Thursday during its run, for 13 consecutive weeks. All episodes of Seasons 1-3 are now streaming.
The season kicks off with Naledi, played by Gaisang K Noge, Qhawe’s love, having been kidnapped and the Zulu brothers’ crimes making front-page news. Wiseman Mncube takes over from Bonko Khoza as Mqhele, whose love story with Hlomu remains complicated.
After you’ve watched all episodes of Season 1, Season 2 and Season 3 of The Wife, binge-watch The Wife: Behind The Veil.
Meet the cast
Naledi
The third wife, Naledi Montsho, a doctor who falls for one of the Zulu brothers, Qhawe Zulu. She’s also a princess daughter of the chief of the Royal Thabeng. Rising star Gaisang K Noge plays the role of Naledi.
The Youth Squad
The Youth Squad aka the younger brothers round up this charismatic criminal family. Thulane Nkululeko Shange plays Mqoqi; Ishmauel Songo plays Mpande; and Swelihle Luthuli plays Ntsika.
Mandisa
The mother of Nqoba’s children, Mandisa is sassy and smart. She may be part of a crime family, but she makes sure to get what is due to her. Mandisa is played by Zikhona Sodlaka.
Zandile
She spent 10 years in prison; now she must win back her children’s love, rebuild her marriage, and establish herself as the matriarch of the Zulu family. Zandile is played by Khanyi Mbau.
Sambulo
There’s more to this brother than meets the eye. Laid back, funny, an undercover hitman. He’s not after power but is his brothers’ keeper and the true glue working silently to hold them all together. Sipho Ndlovu is Sambulo.
Qhawe
The sweetest of the brothers, Qhawe is also the family strategist. He saw Hlomu first, and it was love at first sight, but this once, he failed to put a plan into action. Kwenzo Ngcobo is Qhawe.
Nqoba
He’s a ‘hit first and explains later’ type of guy. Sometimes he doesn’t even explain. Abdul Khoza is Nqoba.
Nkosana
The firstborn of the Zulu brothers, he took charge of the family after his parents’ murder. He’s a man of a few words and thinks carefully before he acts. Nkosana is played by Mondli Makhoba.
Mqhele
On the surface, Mqhele is a loving, family man, but deep inside, his demons are at war with one another. He pursues what he wants until it’s his. In The Wife Season 3, Mqhele is played by Wiseman Mncube.
Hlomu
A passionate, young investigative journalist. Love forces her to choose between a life of uncovering the truth and a life of hiding it. Hlomu is played by Mbalenhle Mavimbela.
Videos
Sho't Left for more news on The Wife
The Wife Season 3 episodes 58-60: Hlomu and Mqhele’s tragic deaths
In The Wife finale, Hlomu and Mqhele meet their tragic demise, while Qhawe and Naledi live happily ever after.
Made in South Africa
Mbalenhle Mavimbela looks back on her career-making role as Hlomu in The Wife
Mbalenhle Mavimbela reflects on playing Hlomu in Showmax’s groundbreaking telenovela. All episodes of The Wife are streaming on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Wife Season 3 episodes 55-57 recap: The truth about the Zulu brothers revealed
Hlomu makes a bold move that threatens to destroy the Zulu family. Meanwhile, the royal family is at war, with the princesses striving to dethrone their father.
Made in South Africa
The Wife Season 3 episodes 52-54 recap: Hlomu catches her first body
Hlomu kills Xoli after finding out that she’s a Majola and has been sleeping with her husband on the latest episodes of The Wife Season 3.
Made in South Africa
The Wife Season 3 episodes 49-51 recap: Qhawe fights for Naledi his love
Qhawe rescues Naledi and Hlomu suspects Mqhele is cheating on the latest episodes of The Wife Season 3, now streaming on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Wife Season 3 episodes 46-48 recap: Naledi is missing
Naledi gets kidnapped by her abusive ex and Xoli turns up the heat with the Zulus on the latest episodes of the Wife Season 3.
Made in South Africa
The Wife Season 3 episodes 43-45 recap: Naledi is pregnant
The Wife Season 3 returns with drama, betrayal and jaw-dropping moments. Qhawe makes a shocking revelation about Naledi while Xoli gets one step closer to destroying the Zulu family.
Made in South Africa
5 take-aways from The Wife Behind-the-Scenes Special
Get the inside scoop from the stars of The Wife in front of and behind the camera in this exclusive behind-the-scenes special.
Made in South AfricaIn the press
On Tagged!: More than guns, red flags and sex
"Opening with a romanticised shot of downtown Joburg, the show is a delicious exploration of love in the times of taxi rivalry, heists and violence."
On The Citizen: The Wife reactions: Zulu brothers steal the show
"As we are introduced to Mbalenhle 'Mbali' Mavimbela as Hlomu, we find that she is a natural. The Skeem Saam actress embodies who Hlomu is – a journalist, trying to get her life together, dealing with a boyfriend who doesn’t have time for her and a job that entangles her in the dark world."
On The Daily Vox: Showmax’s first telenovela The Wife is a wild ride through crime and love
"The production quality and photography is excellent. The [first] episode is 23 minutes long and packs a resounding gut punch. The imagery of the taxi rank in the first few frames immediately makes you feel at home."
More from South Africa
Tyla’s Showmax concert to reach millions more on DStv
Tyla’s sold-out concert, which streamed live on Showmax on 18 January, will be available on demand on Showmax from 30 January in celebration of Tyla’s birthday, and on DStv’s Mzansi Wethu from 1 February 2025.
Made in South Africa
Showmax Presents Tyla red carpet hosts: Kat Sinivasan, Moozlie
From 8.30pm on Saturday, 18 January 2025, the Tyla Red Carpet Experience will be streaming on Showmax, followed by the live stream of her homecoming concert.
Showmax to stream Tyla’s historic concert
Showmax will live stream Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Tyla, live from her concert at the SunBet Arena, to 44 countries in Africa on 18 January 2025.
Made in South Africa
Great African Mysteries (2023)
John Robbie delves into three major mysteries: the discovery of Homo Naledi, the hoard of gold Paul Kruger supposedly hid from the British, and the crash of the Helderberg.
Made in South Africa
The Fix (2024)
In a dystopian future, a troubled model takes an illicit new party drug and suffers a shocking transformation – then discovers she may be the key to saving the human race.
Made in South Africa
Jaw-dropping reality shows to stream this October
Stream this stellar line up of reality series this October, from fan-favourites to iEmmy-nominated shows ready to binge on Showmax.
Where to watch The Real Housewives franchise online
Showmax is the home of The Real Housewives, giving an inside look at the lives of these glam women from Durban, Abuja, Lagos, Joburg, Nairobi and more. Plus, go on vacation with The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip!
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes (2022)
From Emmy-winning director James Jones, this gripping documentary tells the story of the Chernobyl disaster through newly discovered archive footage and witness accounts.
More Showmax Originals
Meet the cast of Showmax’s upcoming series Under the Influence
See who’s who in the upcoming Nigerian Original series premiering Friday 24 January 2025 on Showmax, with new episodes every Friday.
Made in Nigeria
The Real Housewives of Lagos S3 breaks Showmax record
The Real Housewives of Lagos S3 debuted with the most first-day views ever in Nigeria and Ghana, ranking third across Africa, including Kenya and South Africa.
Made in Nigeria
The Real Housewives of Lagos S3 brings new friends and old fights
The beauty queens arrive, drama brews and old wounds resurface on Season 3, episode 1 of The Real Housewives of Lagos, now streaming on Showmax.
Made in Nigeria
Top 10 most streamed titles of 2024 on Showmax in Nigeria
Wura, Flawsome and RHOLagos were among the top 10 most-streamed titles of 2024 on Showmax in Nigeria, proving the huge popularity of local shows and reality series.
Made in Nigeria
Binge-watch all the episodes of Princess on a Hill
Zara fights for freedom in the dramatic finale of Princess on a Hill. Binge-watch all episodes of Princess on a Hill on Showmax.
Made in Nigeria
Under the Influence
Stream Nigerian Original limited series, Under the Influence, from 24 January 2025 with new episodes released every Friday.
Made in NigeriaWatch the trailer for Nigerian Showmax series Under the Influence
Showmax explores Lagos life, digital fame and family drama in new series Under The Influence, premiering 24 January 2025.
Made in Nigeria
What to expect in Cheta M Season 2, now streaming on Showmax
Cheta M returns for its much-awaited second season, now streaming on Showmax. New episodes land every week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Made in NigeriaThe best series to binge
Power Book II: Ghost S4
The story of Power continues as Tariq St Patrick grapples with a new world order and faces the task of rescuing his family.
Yellowstone S1-5
Kevin Costner drives this western drama about a Montana ranching family battling groups encroaching on their land and way of life.
The Real Housewives of Orange County S18
In The Real Housewives OG series, we follow the lives of some of the wealthiest women and their families who live in Orange County, California.
Hightown S1-3
A hard-drinking woman’s journey to sobriety is overshadowed by an unfolding murder investigation. Her search for the truth entangles her with a dangerous organised crime syndicate.