| Bg colour |
|
|---|---|
| Season name | Rich In Diamonds Thick In Blood |
| Season number | 1 |
| Showrunner |
Association Producers |
| Starring |
|
| Num episodes | 260 |
| Network | 1Magic |
| First aired | 29 January 2018 |
| Last aired | 25 January 2019 |
| Next season | Season 2 |
The first season of 1Magic telenovela The River premiered on 30 January 2018 and concluded on 2 February 2019 with a total of 260 episodes.[1] The first season was led by Moshidi Motshekgwa , Presley Chweneyagae,Hlomla Dandala,Lawrence Maleka,Lunga Shabalala,Larona Moagi and Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana.[2]
The first season of the series featured Mzansi Magic 1st TV crossover between the series and the 3rd season of The Queen with Connie Ferguson appearing as Harriet Khoza; an old friend of Dlamini-Dikana.[3]
Plot
Lindiwe owns a mine, marries a police commissioner, and has two children. Mine foreman Thato Mokoena finds a $45 million diamond in the river that runs through Refilwe. Lindiwe murders Thato, places the diamond in her mine, and covers up the murder. Zweli's daughter, Nomonde, becomes Lindiwe's enemy.
Malefu Mokoena struggles to raise her children after her husband's death. Her oldest son, Thuso, is in and out of jail. Her adopted daughter, Tumi, marries Lindiwe's nephew Zolani Dlamini. Lindiwe employs Tumi at Khanyisa Diamonds. She tries to steal land in Refilwe, but Tumi foils her.
Malefu tells Tumi that she was adopted. Tumi divorces Zolani, who reveals that Lindiwe killed her father. Tumi and her new boyfriend, Lindani, return to the Dikana mansion. Tumi learns that Lindiwe is her biological mother; she is kidnapped and buried alive by Lindiwe, who knows that Zolani told Tumi about Thato's murder. Lindiwe finds Tumi's message, and attempts suicide. Lindani rescues Tumi, who files charges against Lindiwe; Lindiwe is imprisoned and acquitted.[4]
Cast
- Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dikana[5]
- Larona Moagi as Itumeleng Tumi Mokoena
- Moshidi Motshekgwa as Malefu Mokoena[6]
- Hlomla Dandala as Zweli Dikana[7]
- Presley Chweniyagae as Thuso Mokoena[8]
- Lawrence Maleka as Zolani Dlamini
- Lunga Shabalala as Lindani Dlomo
- Tinah Mnumzana as Flora Moloi
- Tk Sebothoma as Happy Moloi
- Lunga Mofokeng as Andile Dikana
- Zenokuhle Maseko as Mbali Dikana
- Linda Mtoba as Nomonde Dikana
- Masthepo Sekgopu as Dimpho Mokoena
- Ferry Jele as Veronica Thwala
- Tango Nceketzo as Paulina Dlomo
- Galaletsang Koffman as Beauty Diphoko
- Thapelo Sebogodu as Kabzela Manamela
- Anele Zondo as Faith Sibiya
- Siyabonga Raymond as Njabulo Sibiya
- Chucks WaGase Segobela as Tshabalala
- Connie Ferguson as Harriet Khoza [3]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Telenovela | The River | [9] | |
| Best Actress - Telenovela | Moshidi Motshegwa | ||||
| Sindi Dlathu | |||||
| Best Actor - Telenovela | Presley Chweneyagae | ||||
| Hlomla Dandala | |||||
| Best Supporting Actor - Telenovela | Lawrence Maleka | ||||
| Zenzo Ngqobe | |||||
| Best Supporting Actress - Telenovela | Ferry Jele | ||||
| Best Achievement in Directing - Telenovela | Johnny Barbuzano, Catharine Cooke, Zolani Phakade and Ferry Jele | ||||
| Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – Telenovela | Gwydion Beynon & Phathutshedzo Makwarela | ||||
| Best Achievement in Original Music/Score – Telenovela | Brendan Jury | ||||
| Best Achievement in Editing – Telenovela | Ula Oelsen, Bongi Malefo & Matodzi Nemungadi | ||||
| Best Achievement in Sound – Telenovela | Ben Oelsen, Lele Seate & Tladi Mabuya | ||||
| Best Achievement in Cinematography – Telenovela | Gaopie Kabe & Trevor Brown | ||||
| Best Achievement in Wardrobe − Telenovela | The River | ||||
| Best Achievement in Hair & Make-Up − Telenovela | The River | ||||
| Best Achievement in Art Direction − Telenovela | The River | ||||
| 47th International Emmy Awards | Best Telenovela | The River |
References
- ^ "Stream The River, Lockdown, The Queen and more SA hits" (in en-ZA). SowetanLIVE. Archived 2025-04-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "Season 1: May Teasers – The River". Mzansi Magic - Season 1: May Teasers – The River. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "Connie, on Mzansi Magic's first crossover – The Queen". Connie, on Mzansi Magic's first crossover – The Queen. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
- ^ Tladi, Ofentse. "A nostalgic trip through iconic moments in local TV". News24. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "Sindi Dlathu to play the lead role in new local mining drama". News24. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "Exclusive | Moshidi Motshegwa on feeling 'insulted' over being booted off The River" (in en-ZA). TimesLIVE. Archived 2023-09-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ Thangevelo, Debashine (2018-02-12). "Hlomla Dandala is thrilled to be part of #The River". IOL. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "In Memes | 'The River' fans can’t believe what a snake Cobra is!" (in en-ZA). TimesLIVE. Archived 2024-02-17 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ Shumba, Ano (4 March 2019). "SA Film and Television Awards 2019: All the winners". Music in Africa. Archived 30 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
External References
The River season 1 at IMDb