The River is set in Pretoria against the backdrop of the province’s mining sector. Each episode is a rush of adrenaline. I would say do not watch if you have high blood pressure because these series will keep you an adrenaline high.
If you do not speak Zulu and don’t like subtitles, then you will be missing on a whole lot, of excellent African content. The RIver is well worth every second spent reading the subtitles. I hope it can one day be translated to English but one wonders who will be able to hack Lindiwe Dlamini’s attitude (that comes out even in her voice).
The series also introduces new talent in the South African Movie Industry and they are definitely well worth watching. Watch on Showmax and DSTV
Watch The River Tumi’s First Wedding – the drama! Sho!
The Story
This South African series is in its third season and tells of the story of a ruthless lady, made so by the experiences of her youth and circumstantial separation from her daughter. This results in their lives taking two separate paths and years later when their paths eventually cross. it is catastrophic for all around them.
I think the most unique aspect of this series is the character development of Lindiwe (acted by Sladhu) and her daughter (Larona Moagi) As the plot develops one gets how the different characters can move from being demonic to angelic and vice versa based on circumstances. This means one can ever really pre-empt what is going to happen in each episode let alone season.
I mostly love this series however somewhere in season 2 and early in season 3 after hopelessly for a change in Lindiwe’s ways my spirit was stressed out. This thing can actually make you question your values; I suppose the reality of life is there are so many grey areas so everything is not exactly black and white and our hopes and dreams are not always justified by the price we think we paid for them.
While I do not speak Zulu, I think from whatever I have learned in translation, some of the phrases are the most original I have heard on Tv e.g. Lindiwe’s ‘after me, comes Kalashnikov’.
The Actors
The cast is great. While most of it has season actors, it is great to note the new talent introduced in this set with Larona Moagi and Lawrence Maleka taking leading roles and doing beautiful work in the process. One cannot imagine it is their first time on screen – and, without much prior training or experience.
The Cast
Brenda Nxoli – Dambisa Dikana
Chuck Shisane – Detective Tshabalala
Connie Ferguson – Harriet Khoza, in a two-week crossover with The Queen
Don Mlangeni Nawa – Thato Mokoena
Ferry Jele – Veronica
Galaletsang Koffman – Beauty
Hlomla Dandala – Commissioner Zweli Dikana
Larona Moagi – Itumeleng ‘Tumi’ Mokoena
Lawrence Maleka – Zolani Dlamini
Linda Mtoba – Nomonde
Lunga Mofokeng – Andile
Lunga Shabalala – Lindani Dlomo
Maduvha Madima – Minister Joyful
Matshepo Mokgopi – Dimpho
Moshidi Motshega – Malefu Mokoena
Presley Chweneyagae – Thuso ‘Cobra’ Mokoena
Sello Maake ka-Ncube – Malome Sechaba
Shannon Esra – Sandra Stein
Sindi Dlathu – Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana
Siya Sepotokele – Njabulo
T.J. Mokhuane – Tshepo
Tango Ncetezo – Paulina
Thapelo Segohadi – Khabzela
Thembinkosi Mthembu – Mabutho
Tinah Mnumzana – Flora
Tsholofelo Matshaba – Kedibone
Warren Masemola – Oupa
Zanokuhle Maseko – Mbali
Zenzo Ngqobe – Percival “MaPercente”
Introduced in Season 2
Alina Moloi – Constable Candy
Lebogang Tlokana – Dora Phakati
Mary-Ann Barlow – Gail Mathabatha
Masasa Mbangeni – Adv Akhona
Michelle Craig – a journalist
Nkanyiso Bhengu – Pastor
Ntokozo Dlamini – Sihle Ngema
Robert Whitehead – Judge Christoper Knowles
Shahan Ramkissoon – himself
Thabo Malema – Ten Ten
Winne Ntshaba – MaDlomoActing: believability
My favorite actors in this production are Sladhu and Lawrence Maleka. They stir the most emotion in me though they are the evilest. Larona Moagi more than delivers Tumi’s role communicates Tumi’s stress and confusion over what has been meted on her by both her ‘mothers’.
Technical Construction
The lighting camera angles are great. I especially like how the camera is often used to show close us of Lindiwe to help us read her expression.e.g. when she is burying Tumi in the first scene. The use of lighting in the restaurant during Tumi and Zolani’s dates are some of the most memorable dates in the series. The production design is excellent however I think the designer’s talent is impressive during Tumi and Zolani’s weddings. This is one of the best weddings I have seen in a movie.
The mood in this series is enhanced by the music. I especially love the theme music which more than reflects the energy in the series.
The directors did a great job on this. None of the episodes leave us not looking forward to the next. All the elements of this series come together beautifully.
Conclusion
I think a doctor’s warning should go with this series. I have never been more stressed about watching a drama.
Rating
Overall I would give this production a 9/10 simply because nothing is perfect and I was emotionally exhausted and doubted my own sanity for cheering Lindiwe on. Sho! who supports such evil?!
<
Like, Comment and Subscribe
