The Wife
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The Wife

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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.

More telenovelas and soaps to stream online »

Meet the cast

Naledi

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 on The Wife

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 on The Wife

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.

Khanyi Mbau Zandile the Resolute

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. 

Sipho Ndlovu is Sambulo in The Wife on Showmax

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.

Kwenzo Ngcobo is Qhawe in The Wife Showmax

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.

Abdul Khoza is Nqoba in The Wife on Showmax

Nqoba

He’s a ‘hit first and explains later’ type of guy. Sometimes he doesn’t even explain. Abdul Khoza is Nqoba.

Nkosana

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

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.

Mbalenhle Mavimbela is Hlomu on The Wife Showmax

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

Season 2 Episodes 1-3

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Season 2 Episodes 4-6

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Season 2 Episodes 7-9

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Season 2 Episodes 10-12

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Season 2 Episodes 13-15

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Season 2 Episodes 16-18

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Season 2 Episodes 19 - 21

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Season 2 Episodes 22 - 24

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Season 2 Episodes 25 - 27

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Season 2 Episodes 28 - 30

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Season 2 Episodes 31 - 33

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Season 2 Episodes 34 - 36

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Season 3 Episodes 1-3

Available to stream: now

Season 3 Episodes 4-6

Available to stream: now

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The Wife Season 3 episodes 58-60: Hlomu and Mqhele’s tragic deaths

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.

Mbalenhle Mavimbela looks back on her career-making role as Hlomu in The Wife

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.

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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.

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The Wife Season 3 episodes 52-54 recap: Hlomu catches her first body

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.

The Wife Season 3 episodes 49-51 recap: Qhawe fights for Naledi his love

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.

The Wife Season 3 episodes 46-48 recap: Naledi is missing

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.

The Wife Season 3 episodes 43-45 recap: Naledi is pregnant

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. 

5 take-aways from The Wife Behind-the-Scenes Special

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.

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