Meet The Wife’s new Mqhele: Wiseman Mncube

Stained Glass, the production company behind The Wife, has confirmed that Wiseman Mncube will play Mqhele in Season 3 of the award-winning, record-breaking, Twitter-topping Showmax Original telenovela.

Wiseman is best known as Jama in eHostela, a performance that earned him the Best Actor in a TV Drama Golden Horn at the 2020 SAFTAs. He also played Sibonelo in Uzalo and will star in the upcoming epic Shaka iLembe.

As Mqhele, Wiseman replaces Bonko Khoza, who became a household name during The Wife’s run, hailed as “the national husband” by fans and nominated for DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice and SAFTA Awards for the role.

“What actor wouldn’t want to be part of The Wife?” asks Wiseman, who’s a fan of both the book and the show. “Mqhele is a very interesting role and I’m in my element: there’s a lot to chew on and play off, from the love story to the anger to the care. uBonko carried the role with so much respect and power. I’m not here to replace Bonko but to start my own journey as Mqhele and take things from where he left off and run with it in my own way.”

“Wiseman is a versatile performer with multiple accolades; Mqhele and his madness are in safe hands,” says series producer Kamogelo Aphane. “Wiseman’s work ethic and command of Zulu will take Mqhele to new heights this season.”

Early reactions on Twitter were positive.

Wiseman should have been Mqhele from the beginning 👀

— Zamankosi Nkosi (@nkosi_zamankosi) August 20, 2022

I always wondered why Wiseman Mncube wasnt a Zulu brother. He was born for that role. Wishing him luck as the new Mqhele….p/s Mqhele still aint shiiii 😑

— Writer Bae✍🏽🎬🎥 (@prim_ntomby) August 21, 2022

Tweeps have been asking for Wiseman to play Mqhele since before S1.

Can Mqhele be @wiseman_mncube 😁 pic.twitter.com/OtJ4x9JwQ6

— Hlengiwe Dladla (@KaMahlushwana) August 27, 2021

Wiseman Mncube should have been Mqhele,him and Kwenzo Pholoba definitely harbor some resemblance https://t.co/Mr7RjDTn0M

— Bhambatha Rebellion. (@MsLuqa) October 18, 2021

Inspired by Dudu Busani-Dube’s bestselling book Naledi His Love, Season 3 of The Wife will return to South African screens in November 2022. Gaisang K Noge stars as doctor Naledi Montsho, who is in love with Qhawe Zulu (2022 DStv Mzansi Magic Viewers’ Choice Rising Star winner Kwenzo Ngcobo), dubbed “the Woolworths of amadoda” by Twitter. Each season has focused on a different couple: Hlomu and Mqhele in S1, Zandile and Nkosana in S2, and now Naledi and Qhawe.

The Wife Season 3 launches on Showmax on 10 November 2022.