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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 »


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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

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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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