The River S4: Emma’s emotional storyline hits home with Mzansi viewers

If you had doubts about Sindi Dlathu and Lunathi Mampofu’s acting skills, then the last few episodes of The River surely convinced you otherwise. The two actresses, who play Lindiwe and Emma on the 1Magic hit telenovela, had to dig deep and give viewers some of the most emotional scenes they have seen on South African television. Emma’s rape has not only resonated with a lot of people, but it has given the audience an idea of what rape survivors go through.

Emma’s dream turns into a nightmare

It all started when Emma was looking for an opportunity to make a name for herself in the business world. She reached out to her husband’s powerful aunt, Lindiwe, and asked for assistance. Although she was hesitant at first, Lindiwe decided to hear her out and went as far as introducing her to a family friend who was a prominent businessman.

What Emma thought would be her ticket to success ended up being her worst nightmare. She pitched her skincare business idea to Zithulele, hoping to get the backing she needed. He promised her the world. However, things turned sour immediately after Emma signed the deal. He forced himself on her and she felt helpless.

Men like Zithulele 💔💔💔 Argh no my heart breaks for Emma it's all too much oh my! 🥺🥺🥺#TheRiver1Magic

— Khanyie_Becky_Nxumalo (@nxumalokhanyie) October 6, 2021

Zolani demands the truth

Things didn’t become any easier when she got home and had to face her entire family. The Dikanas were eager to hear about Emma’s deal, but she was in a completely different space mentally as she was trying to make sense of what had happened to her. She was filled with mixed emotions including fear and anxiety and just wanted to be alone.

https://twitter.com/bee_Bakwikwi/status/1447993755177476100

Her loving husband, Zolani, could tell that there was something wrong, but he jumped to the wrong conclusion. He was convinced that his wife was having an affair with the wealthy businessman.

“I’d respect you more if you were upfront about your affair with Zithulele… Don’t take me for a fool, Emma,” he told her.

Zolani has the wrong end of the stick because of what he saw and Emma's change in behaviour. It's getting harder to watch the rift 💔

Tonight on #TheRiver1Magic

— 1max (@1max_TV) October 11, 2021

Emma comes clean

Because she was trying to protect her nephew, Lindiwe decided to confront Emma about her alleged cheating and told her to leave her house. She told an emotional Emma: “How could you open your legs for a man like Zithulele? You open your legs, and he rejects you, you cry!”

At this point, Emma had no choice but to come clean about what happened. She told Lindiwe that she loved Zolani and would rather leave the mansion with Zolani thinking that she had cheated on him “than to stay with animals like you who think I enjoyed being violated by a man I trusted”.

She added: “He had no right to my body. He had no right to force himself on me… I wake up feeling like I’m buried alive.” Emma’s confession came as a shock to Lindiwe and all she could do was cry and apologise to Emma for having gone through that horrific experience.

Lindiwe is going to kill someone . The guy must count his days

Emma 💔#TheRiver1Magic pic.twitter.com/qzU8qqfgmQ

— Cape Town Twins (@TheCPTtwins) October 13, 2021

Lindiwe embraces Emma and shows her vulnerable side

Like a loving mother would, Lindiwe held Emma in her arms and allowed her to feel pain. It’s as if she was telling her that she would never leave her side and that Emma was safe in her arms. While the truth is finally out in the open, Emma has asked Lindiwe not to tell Zolani. She had another favour to ask her in-law. “Could you please wipe the smell of Zithulele off my back. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get it off.”

This was followed by an emotional scene of Emma in the bathtub with Lindiwe washing her back. There were no words spoken, just a moment that was enough to evoke deep feelings of sadness and empathy from viewers.

What Lindiwe did for Emma today. 👑👌🏽
If all of us extended love for every person who shared their trauma with us, instead of questioning its validity; we would heal the world one violated person at a time. We need to do better. #TheRiver1Magic 🥺🕯️🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/0mlLUjA1bS

— Thandiwe Malefo (@thands19) October 13, 2021

Watch new episodes of The River S4 every weekday on Showmax.