
The Wife
Made in South Africa
The Wife is a Showmax Original telenovela that follows the Zulu brothers and the women they marry. New episodes of Season 3 land every Thursday.
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 Season 1 and 2 are now streaming.
The Wife Season 3 landed on 10 November 2022, with new episodes landing every Thursday into 2023.

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.
While you wait for new episodes of Season 3, binge-watch The Wife: Behind The Veil, or catch the Season 3 behind-the-scenes special on Thursday, 23 February. Season 3 resumes on 2 March and continues until 6 April 2023, when the telenovela will conclude.
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
Season 2 Episodes 1-3
Season 2 Episodes 4-6
Season 2 Episodes 7-9
Season 2 Episodes 10-12
Season 2 Episodes 13-15
Season 2 Episodes 16-18
Season 2 Episodes 19 - 21
Season 2 Episodes 22 - 24
Season 2 Episodes 25 - 27
Season 2 Episodes 28 - 30
Season 2 Episodes 31 - 33
Season 2 Episodes 34 - 36
Season 3 Episodes 1-3
Season 3 Episodes 4-6
Sho't Left for more news on The Wife

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 Africa

The Wife Season 3: All the times Qhawe and Naledi have broken up
Qhawe and Naledi have broken up many times this season but they always find their way back to each other. Here are all the times Qhaledi broke up on The Wife Season 3.
Made in South Africa

The Wife Season 3 episodes 40-42 recap: Xoli has Mqhele right where she wants him
While Xoli gets closer to accomplishing her mission against the Zulus, Qhawe returns to Royal Thabeng when Sefako weds Naledi on the latest episodes of The Wife Season 3.
Made in South Africa

The Wife Season 3 episode 37-39 recap: Tshedi exposes Naledi’s sex tape
Qhawe drowns his sorrows as Naledi is about to get married to Sefako but all hell breaks loose when Tshedi exposes Naledi’s sex tape.
Made in South Africa
In 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."
Made in South Africa

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."
Made in South Africa

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."
Made in South Africa
More from 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

Born in the RSA: 6 South Africans setting Hollywood alight
From Sharlto to Charlize, these South African stars are making their mark in Hollywood, one lead role at a time.
South African

The Real Housewives of Durban Season 3: Has Jojo had enough of the drama?
In episode 8 of The Real Housewives of Durban S3, Jojo walks away from her cast mates during a heated argument with Annie.
Made in South Africa

Adulting episode 1 recap: Meet amaGents
It’s all about four bros, a Brabus, money, hunnies, and partying till your pants fall off as we launch into sexy new Showmax series Adulting.
Made in South Africa

“A bromance like you’ve never seen before”: Adulting is now streaming on Showmax
The 18SN drama follows four friends who met in varsity, each on a very different journey. Watch Adulting only on Showmax.
Made in South Africa

Jeffrey Sekele on his role in Showmax film AboMkhulu
Veteran actor Jeffrey Sekele talks about his role as a former freedom fighter in comedy AboMkhulu, now streaming on Showmax.
South African

Stella Murders (2023)
A small farming town in the North West wakes up to the tragic news of the deaths of two teenage girls in a school hostel. Is it a double suicide or a murder?
Made in South Africa

David Enright: SA’s king of true crime on new documentary Stella Murders
The director of Devilsdorp and new Showmax Original documentary Stella Murders tells us about his love of reality TV and true crime.
South African
More Showmax Originals

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 Real Housewives of Durban Season 3: Has Jojo had enough of the drama?
In episode 8 of The Real Housewives of Durban S3, Jojo walks away from her cast mates during a heated argument with Annie.
Made in South Africa

Adulting episode 1 recap: Meet amaGents
It’s all about four bros, a Brabus, money, hunnies, and partying till your pants fall off as we launch into sexy new Showmax series Adulting.
Made in South Africa

Gallery: The launch of Showmax Original Adulting
Billed as the “bromance of the decade”, Adulting is now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Monday.
Made in South Africa

“A bromance like you’ve never seen before”: Adulting is now streaming on Showmax
The 18SN drama follows four friends who met in varsity, each on a very different journey. Watch Adulting only on Showmax.
Made in South Africa

Adulting S1
Adulting follows four varsity friends on their journey to find love and success in modern-day South Africa.
Made in South Africa

Stella Murders (2023)
A small farming town in the North West wakes up to the tragic news of the deaths of two teenage girls in a school hostel. Is it a double suicide or a murder?
Made in South Africa

David Enright: SA’s king of true crime on new documentary Stella Murders
The director of Devilsdorp and new Showmax Original documentary Stella Murders tells us about his love of reality TV and true crime.
South African
Watch the full trailer for Season 3 of The Wife
Watch the first minutes of Season 1
The best series to binge

The Bachelorette S19
The 2022 edition of the fan-favourite reality dating show sees not one but two gorgeous women looking for love.

The Good Fight S1-6
All episodes of this cult legal drama are now ready to binge, with the law firm facing tough new challenges.

The English
An aristocratic Englishwoman and a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout come together in 1890 mid-America to cross a violent landscape.

Mnakwethu S1-3
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