The Wife
Made in South Africa
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 novel Hlomu the Wife, a bestseller by Dudu 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.
Meet the cast
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nqoba
He’s a ‘hit first and explains later’ type of guy. Sometimes he doesn’t even explain. Abdul Khoza is Nqoba.
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.
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.
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.
Videos
Sho't Left for more news on The Wife
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South AfricaIn the press
On Tagged!: More than guns, red flags and sex
"Opening with a romanticised shot of downtown Joburg, the show is a delicious exploration of love in the times of taxi rivalry, heists and violence."
On The Citizen: The Wife reactions: Zulu brothers steal the show
"As we are introduced to Mbalenhle 'Mbali' Mavimbela as Hlomu, we find that she is a natural. The Skeem Saam actress embodies who Hlomu is – a journalist, trying to get her life together, dealing with a boyfriend who doesn’t have time for her and a job that entangles her in the dark world."
On The Daily Vox: Showmax’s first telenovela The Wife is a wild ride through crime and love
"The production quality and photography is excellent. The [first] episode is 23 minutes long and packs a resounding gut punch. The imagery of the taxi rank in the first few frames immediately makes you feel at home."
More from South Africa
Christina talks about The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice reunion
Christina opens up about what viewers can look forward to in The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice reunion and how she will approach the ladies.
South African
Hollywood stars rave about Cape Town ahead of The Fix premiere
Hollywood stars Grace van Dien and Daniel Sharman, who star in the Showmax Original film The Fix, rave about Cape Town ahead of the film’s premiere on Halloween.
Gallery: Best red carpet looks from the SAFTAs
Click, click, snap! Check out the glamour, and vibrant colours as Showmax stars shine on the red carpet at the SAFTAs.
Made in South Africa
Thembinkosi Mthembu named Best Actor at SAFTAs as King Dingiswayo in Shaka iLembe
Thembinkosi Mthembu wins Best Actor as King Dingiswayo in the epic drama series Shaka iLembe, the most awarded drama in the SAFTAs history.
Made in South Africa
How to Manifest a Man: The crazy lady watchlist
Dudu (Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa) brainwashes her man as part of her quest to “manifest” a perfect life. So we’ve found 10 women she can put on her vision board for inspiration.
Made in South Africa
Empini episodes 45-46: Thank you for your service, comrade
In episodes 45-46 of Empini, Ndoni numbs herself to the people around her following her outburst with Zenzele. Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Law, Love and Betrayal episode 8: Personal reasons
In episode 8 of Law, Love and Betrayal, James suspects there’s more to Gatsha and Gugu’s professional relationship. Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
How To Manifest a Man S1
Duduzile refuses to accept that her husband wants to leave her. She takes drastic steps to ensure she gets a second chance.
Made in South AfricaMore Showmax Originals
Christina talks about The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice reunion
Christina opens up about what viewers can look forward to in The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice reunion and how she will approach the ladies.
South African
Ubuthe Uzobuya S1
A poignant intervention series that deals with spouses unexpectedly abandoned by their partners, where they’ll get help to track them down.
Made in South AfricaHollywood stars rave about Cape Town ahead of The Fix premiere
Hollywood stars Grace van Dien and Daniel Sharman, who star in the Showmax Original film The Fix, rave about Cape Town ahead of the film’s premiere on Halloween.
Empini episodes 45-46: Thank you for your service, comrade
In episodes 45-46 of Empini, Ndoni numbs herself to the people around her following her outburst with Zenzele. Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaLaw, Love and Betrayal episode 8: Personal reasons
In episode 8 of Law, Love and Betrayal, James suspects there’s more to Gatsha and Gugu’s professional relationship. Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Die Tollie & Manila Show
A bold talk show where SA celebs join drag queens Tollie Parton and Manila von Teez for an evening of conversation and games… in drag. Landing 4 November.
Made in South AfricaDrag queen superstar Tollie Parton on her new Showmax talk show
Showmax announces Die Tollie & Manila Show, starring drag superstars Tollie Parton and Manila von Teez, with celebrity guests like Helen Zille in drag. Landing 4 November.
Made in South Africa
Thabiso Ramotshela on Youngins S2, “our generation’s Yizo Yizo”
Thabiso Ramotshela talks about his role in the new season of the Showmax Original teen drama Youngins, premiering 15 November 2024, with new episodes every Friday.
South AfricanThe best series to binge
Hacks S1-3
Emmy winner Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder make an odd partnership in the acclaimed HBO dramedy Hacks, about a legendary Vegas comedian and her new writer.
Mnakwethu S1-4
Hosted by Musa Mseleku, Mnakwethu is an emotional reality show that sees married men introducing polygamy, and potential new wives, to their existing spouses.
Made in South Africa
Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard S1-2
A group of friends vacation in the historical and picturesque Martha’s Vineyard. From yacht parties to electrifying romances, fun and drama are always on the docket during this island gateway.
The Real Housewives of Miami S3
The ladies of the Sunshine State are turning up the heat and dialling up the drama this season.