The_Wife_S3_Key_Art_teaser

The Wife

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 novelHlomu the Wife, a bestseller byDudu 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 »


Share:

Meet the cast

Medium-Gaisang K Noge as Naledi in The Wife S2

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.

Mondli Makhoba is Nkosana on The Wife Showmax

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.

Wiseman Mncube

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.

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.

OriginalMade 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.

OriginalMade 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.

OriginalMade 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.

OriginalMade 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.

OriginalMade 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.

OriginalMade 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.

OriginalMade 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.

OriginalMade in South Africa

More from South Africa

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight's Portia Baloyi on the reunion and her ex

Portia Baloyi from Married at First Sight opens up on her journey with her ex-husband. Binge-watch all episodes, plus the explosive reunion.

South Africa
Skemergrond is on Showmax

Skemergrond S1

Skemergrond is set in Gemoedsdrif and revolves around the Louw family and their beautiful flower farm. The Louws' peaceful existence is turned upside down when unexpected guests arrive.

Made in South Africa
Slay Queens on Showmax

Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

Watch the explosive trailer for Slay Queens, a Showmax Original docuseries about women chasing the soft life. Streaming from 31 October, new episodes every Friday.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Youngins S3 on Showmax

Thabiso Ramotshela on the heart-wrenching Youngins Season 3

Thabiso Ramotshela talks about his heart-wrenching performance as Mahlatse in Youngins S3, now streaming on Showmax. Watch new episodes every Friday.

Original South Africa
Wie Word 'n Miljoener?

Wie Word 'n Miljoenêr? S2-5

The world's biggest game show - in Afrikaans! Contestants must answer general knowledge questions correctly to win R1 million in cash.

Made in South Africa
Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Relebogile Mabotja to host the two-hour Married at First Sight reunion special

Married at First Sight S3 wraps with a two-hour reunion special, hosted by Relebogile Mabotja, on Sunday, 5 October on Mzansi Magic and Showmax.

South Africa
A still from Finding Optel showing Claire looking through binoculars

What to watch on Showmax in October 2025

Award-winning local content, hot new reality shows, The Office spinoff The Paper - it's all on Showmax in October.

Finding Optel is on Showmax

Finding Optel's Zenobia Kloppers on her breakout year

Zenobia Kloppers talks about Finding Optel, which is having its international premiere at BFI London Film Festival and comes to Showmax on 24 October.

Original South Africa

More Showmax Originals

Slay Queens on Showmax

Slay Queens

Slay Queens is a bold, no-holds-barred documentary series that dives straight into the glitzy, gritty world of Mzansi’s most talked-about women. Stream from 31 October, with new episodes every Friday.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Slay Queens on Showmax

Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

Watch the explosive trailer for Slay Queens, a Showmax Original docuseries about women chasing the soft life. Streaming from 31 October, new episodes every Friday.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Youngins S3 on Showmax

Thabiso Ramotshela on the heart-wrenching Youngins Season 3

Thabiso Ramotshela talks about his heart-wrenching performance as Mahlatse in Youngins S3, now streaming on Showmax. Watch new episodes every Friday.

Original South Africa
Iyanu: The Age of Wonders on Showmax

Iyanu: The Age of Wonders (2025)

When Meje, the living embodiment of the seven deadly sins, threatens the land, young warriors Dara and Ishe must prevent an age of darkness.

Made in Nigeria
Finding Optel is on Showmax

Finding Optel's Zenobia Kloppers on her breakout year

Zenobia Kloppers talks about Finding Optel, which is having its international premiere at BFI London Film Festival and comes to Showmax on 24 October.

Original South Africa
Youngins S3 on Showmax

Youngins S1-3

When a teen flees from a family tragedy in rural KZN to a boarding school in Jozi, she gets entangled in a scandal of epic proportions.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Youngins S3 on Showmax

Kealeboga Masango’s wild ride in Youngins' final season

Kealeboga Masango talks about Buhle's wild ride in the final season of Youngins, premiering Friday, 19 September on Showmax.

Original South Africa
Youngins S3 on Showmax

Lebohang Lephatsoana on Tumelo’s journey in Youngins

Rising star Lebohang Lephatsoana delves into Tumelo's turbulent journey in Youngins Season 3, premiering on Showmax on Friday, 19 September 2025.

Original South Africa

KuRuff: How do you live when your family lives off you?

Imibuzo: Behind the headlines of SA's infamous crimes