
By Zimkhitha16 November 2020
The River: Zodwa takes Lindani’s body by force during his funeral service
Zodwa is not one to be messed with. While we’ve seen her making questionable moves here and there, Zodwa showed Mzansi that she has what it takes to take Lindiwe on. After Lindani’s untimely passing, the two families were at each other’s throats. Nasty words were said, and threats were made but Zodwa walked away with a huge victory in the end.
The war started when Lindiwe and Zweli took Tumi to the Dlomo house so that she could mourn her husband with the rest of his family. However, Zodwa reminded them about Tumi’s infidelity. “Where I come from, when a woman cheats, she doesn’t just waltz back to her in-laws as if she comes from the mall. I will teach you tradition. I can tell you and your daughter don’t know it,” Zodwa told Lindiwe. And just like that, the Dikanas were shown the door.
The Dlomos barred from going to Lindani’s funeral
Zweli and his wife decided to go back the following day, hoping that Lindani’s family had calmed down. But they were met with hostility. They tried to reason with Zodwa and Paulina, reminding them about Tumi and Lindani’s long history. “My brother died thinking he wasn’t man enough all because of Tumi,” Paulina said. This led to a few nasty words from Zodwa and Lindiwe wasn’t having it.
We’ve watched The River long enough to know that Lindiwe never goes down without a fight. She also doesn’t take well to being humiliated. After that unfortunate second meeting with the Dlomos, Lindiwe threatened the grieving family. “You think you’re mourning now, it’s the beginning. You haven’t mourned yet. If you want to be chief mourners, go ahead. One day, you’ll come and beg me.”
One thing about Lindiwe is that she delivers on every promise. She served the Dlomos with a court interdict. “We’ve been barred from going to Lindani’s funeral. It says his coffin will be taken from the mortuary to the Dikanas and we’re not welcome,” Paulina told her family.
Lindiwe once again found herself in a position of power, just as she likes it. She made Zodwa feel like nothing and enjoyed seeing her begging to bury her son. Lindiwe had her way for a while and it really looked like she would win.
Zodwa wins this round
But it turns out Zodwa had a trick up her sleeve. The funeral went ahead as Lindiwe had planned. Different speakers took to the podium to share something about Lindani. Paulina and Tumi gave moving tributes. Tumi told mourners: “There are only two people I know who loved unconditionally; Lindani and my father and they’ve both left me.” Zodwa’s turn to speak came and she pulled one of the most gangster moves we’ve seen.
She first dragged Tumi for crying and compared her to Judas and Cain from the bible. “We don’t have the strength to avenge him [Lindani] just yet, but God is watching,” Zodwa said. She then instructed the men she brought from KwaZulu-Natal to take her son’s coffin. They stood up, pointed their guns in the air and took Lindani. Zodwa insisted that her son would be buried as a Dlomo.
Will Lindiwe back off after this move? Watch The River on Showmax express from 1Magic.
Ama Grootman S1 on Showmax
The Real Housewives of Durban S5, now streaming
More Mzansi gold

Showmax and DStv celebrate the legacy of Presley Chweneyagae
Relive Presley Chweneyagae’s breakout role in the Oscar-winning Tsotsi on Showmax or DStv Stream from 9pm on 6 June, on M-Net at the same time, or in the following days on Mzansi Magic and M-Net Movies Channel 4. Plus the finale of Cobrizi, with Presley in a fan-favourite role, lands on Sunday, 8 June on Mzansi Magic.

Binnelanders S8-14
Binnelanders, an Afrikaans soapie set in and around a fictional private hospital, follows the trials and trauma of the staff and patients.

Showmax announces The Mommy Club: Van die Hoofstad reunion
Leandie du Randt is set to host The Mommy Club: Van die Hoofstad reunion, premiering on Showmax in two parts on 27 June and 4 July 2025.

Summertide S1
An exhilarating South African multi-generational drama following the Field family and those who cross their paths – each with their own secrets and desires.