The Wife
Play video

The Wife

Flag zaMade 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.

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

Available to stream: Now

Season 2 Episodes 4-6

Available to stream: Now

Season 2 Episodes 7-9

Available to stream: Now

Season 2 Episodes 10-12

Available to stream: Now

Season 2 Episodes 13-15

Available to stream: now

Season 2 Episodes 16-18

Available to stream: now

Season 2 Episodes 19 - 21

Available to stream: now

Season 2 Episodes 22 - 24

Available to stream: now

Season 2 Episodes 25 - 27

Available to stream: now

Season 2 Episodes 28 - 30

Available to stream: now

Season 2 Episodes 31 - 33

Available to stream: now

Season 2 Episodes 34 - 36

Available to stream: now

Season 3 Episodes 1-3

Available to stream: now

Season 3 Episodes 4-6

Available to stream: now

Sho't Left for more news on The Wife

Hlomu and Mqhele on The Wife Season 3

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
The Wife Season 3 finale now streaming on Showmax

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Hlomu confessing on The Wife S3

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Hlomu on The Wife

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Qhawe and Naledi on The Wife Showmax

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Naledi crying on the Wife Season 3 episode 48 on Showmax

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Khawe in The Wife Season 3 on Showmax

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. 

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
The_Wife_Behind_The_Scenes

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa

More from South Africa

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story on Showmax

Christopher Reeve documentary on Showmax get four Emmy nods

South African producer Robert Ford discusses his Emmy-nominated documentary, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which premieres on Showmax on Friday, 25 July 2025.

First
/images/za.svgSouth African
WAFCON 2025 on Showmax Premier

Former captain Amanda Dlamini on Banyana’s challenges

Amanda Dlamini shares insights on Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON journey as they face Tanzania on Friday, 11 July in the Showmax Premier League.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Task S1 on Showmax

Trailer: Thuso Mbedu in HBO’s Task, coming to Showmax in 2025

See the first-look trailer of Thuso Mbedu in HBO’s Task, coming to Showmax in September. Plus, 5 more international must-watch shows dropping on Showmax in 2025.

First
/images/za.svgSouth African
10 international movies and series shot in South Africa

10 international movies and series shot in South Africa

From Boy Kills World, to Milli Vanilli exposé movie Girl You Know It’s True, to Yellowstone series 1923, we sent our location scouts to figure out where 10 international productions filmed some familiar scenes.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
The Real Housewives of Miami - Season 4 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!

Original
Reyka S1 on Showmax

Reyka’s Speelman and five killers who love playing games

Criminal profiler Reyka is back playing strategy games with her childhood captor Angus Speelman in Reyka Season 2. We look back on his slimiest moments from Season 1, and check out five movie killers who love toying with their prey.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
The River on Showmax

The River S1-6

Fan-fave telenovela The River is full of twists and turns, and plenty of characters you love to hate, or love to root for – like Cobra. Stream the full boxset on Showmax.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Jacob's Daughter on Showmax

International Women’s Month: Powerful storytelling on Showmax

In celebration of International Women’s Month, here are must-see shows with strong women, available to stream on Showmax.

Original

More Showmax Originals

Vaal Riviera on Showmax

Vaal Riviera

Vaal Riviera follows four Afrikaans families living in the heart of Vaal River society, where family, business, car racing and legacy all come into play. Stream from 22 August, with new episodes on Tuesdays.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
The Mommy Club NBO on Showmax

Pierra Makena on single motherhood and being in the public eye

The Mommy Club NBO’s Pierra Makena is living her best life – acting, DJing and now starring in the Showmax Original reality show about moms who have – and do – it all.

Original
/images/ke.svgKenyan
BBNaija S10 on Showmax

Big Brother Naija S10

Stream BBNaija Season 10 on Showmax, including the 24/7 live stream, daily highlight episodes, Sunday eviction shows, and other key moments throughout the season.

Original
/images/ng.svgMade in Nigeria
Reckless on Showmax

Reckless star Brian Abajah spills on his latest role

Brian Abajah talks about his rising career and his role in Showmax’s Reckless. Catch new episodes every Monday on Showmax.

/images/ke.svgKenyan
Subterranea on Showmax

Showmax Originals dominate at ZIFF 2025

Showmax Originals triumphed at the Zanzibar International Film Festival 2025, with Subterranea, The Chocolate Empire, and Jacob’s Daughters winning top awards for storytelling and performance.

Original
/images/ke.svgMade in Kenya
Reckless on Showmax

Reckless S1

In Reckless, a wealthy family’s empire is at stake when two brothers’ street-racing leads to tragedy. New episodes land on Mondays only on Showmax.

Original
/images/ke.svgMade in Kenya
The Mommy Club NBO on Showmax

Life coach Ofentse represents Mzansi in The Mommy Club NBO

South African Ofentse Tsipa talks motherhood, marriage and being part of Kenya’s edition of The Mommy Club, now streaming on Showmax. Catch new episodes every Friday.

Original
/images/ke.svgMade in Kenya
Reckless on Showmax

Reckless S1

Reckless follows a pair of young brothers who find themselves at a crossroads when a tragic accident changes their lives forever. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday.

Original
/images/ke.svgMade in Kenya