by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax has commissioned its first South African telenovela with The Wife that will start on Thursday 11 November with 3 episodes that will be made available every Thursday.
Produced by Stained Glass TV, also responsible for Uzalo on SABC1, The Wife is inspired by the novel Hlomu the Wife written by Dudu Busani-Dube.
Showmax ordered 40 episodes each of Dudu Busani-Dube's books Hlomu the Wife, Zandile the Resolute, and Naledi His Love.
The books follow the lives of 8 Zulu brothers, a formidable crime family, through the eyes of the various wives they marry.
According to Showmax, the series won't be a direct screen adaptation of the books but will bring viewers some "new experiences and surprises on screen".
The cast of The Wife includes Bonko Khoza as Mqhele, with Kwenzo Ngcobo as Qhawe, Sipho Ndlovu as Sambulo, Abdul Khoza as Nqoba; Mondli Makhoba as Nkosana; Thulane Nkululeko Shange as Mqoqi, Ishmauel Songo as Mpande, and Swelihle Luthuli as Ntsika.
The Wife is the eighth South African Showmax Original released in 2021.
