![A new rival is in town! Meet the Hlophe family on The River S5](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2022/05/The-Hlophe-896x698.jpg)
9 May 2022
A new rival is in town! Meet the Hlophe family on The River S5
Has Lindiwe and The Dikana family met their match? It seems so.
They are wealthy, excellent, and just as dangerous – meet the Hlophe family.
They are headed by the traditional patriarch, Bukhosi (played by Bheki Mkhwane), who is as quick with his brain as he is with his gun. With a military past that comes in handy for his work as a heist king, he’s brash, outspoken, and charming. He’s made of steel – so he’s not the one to cross.
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2022/05/Bheki-Mkhwane-449x698.jpg)
Bukhosi brings with him his younger second wife, Nomafu (played by Brenda Mhlongo). Beneath her shiny and well-groomed exterior is a tough woman who has clawed her way out of poverty. She’s a terrible stepmother but she knows how to clean money – and she’s set to become Lindiwe Dikana’s biggest rival yet.
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2022/05/Brenda-Mhlongo-465x698.jpg)
Who plays the Hlope sons on The River?
Then there are the Hlophe sons – Mlilo (played by Vuyo Biyela) and Nkanyiso (played by Unathi Mkhize). The product of Bukhosi’s first marriage, even though they have a strained relationship with their father, Bukhosi wants his sons to take over the family business.
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2022/05/Vuyo-Biyela-465x698.jpg)
Mlilo is nothing like his father – yet he’s everything like him. Nkanyiso, on the other hand, is the more ambitious second-born son who wants to wear the crown. Will the boys put their rivalry aside long enough for their family to continue thriving?
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2022/05/Unathi-Mkhize-485x698.jpg)
And finally, there’s the apple of everyone’s eye: the young daughter, Khwezi (played by Tina Dlathu, real-life sister to Sindi Dlathu, who plays Lindiwe). Smart, beautiful, virtuous yet naïve, she joins the family business after they buy into Khanyisa Diamonds. But what happens when she finds herself in the middle of a situation that will rock both the Hlophe and Dikana families to the core?
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2022/05/Tina-Dlathu-465x698.jpg)
Stream brand-new episodes of The River S5 on Showmax.
Die Ondernemers, coming soon
The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice: Meet the moms
More Mzansi gold
![Empini S1 on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FEmpini-S1_Ndoni-796x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Empini Season 1 Episodes 19-20 recap: Shocking revelations and hidden agendas
In episodes 19-20 of Empini, Ndoni finally confides in her mother and the future of MPS’s leadership is in question as Khaya’s will is read. New episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
![Manila von Teez in Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FBeaulah-Queens-van-die-Kaap_Manila-1-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 1 Episode 2 recap: Putting on a show
Ina and Madison go skating, the queens discuss how they came out as drag artists, and Manila puts on an epic show in Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 1, episode 2.
![Shamiso in Born Into Fame S1](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FBorn-Into-Fame-S1_2024-798x449.png&w=3840&q=75)
Born into Fame S1: Shamiso confronts sincerity doubts and sets boundaries
In episode 6 of Born Into Fame S1, Shamiso confronts sincerity and sets her boundaries with Robbie. New episodes every Wednesday on Showmax.
![Die Ondernemers on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FDie-Ondernemers-2024-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Must-watch trailer: Showmax reality series Die Ondernemers
See the trailer for Die Ondernemers, a Showmax reality series featuring three South African undertakers, premiering 5 August 2024.