Filming starts on final season 3 of Zulu Showmax Original The Wife set to debut in November, first season linear TV showing set for Mzansi Magic from 12 September.

by Thinus Ferreira

Filming has started on the third and final season of the Zulu telenovela The Wife which will make its debut in November on MultiChoice's streaming service Showmax, while the Stained Glass TV production will start its linear TV windowing on M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel from 12 September.

The third season of The Wife, based on the Hlomu the Wife novels by Dudu Busani-Dube, will revolve around the romance of the Tswana doctor Naledi Montsho (Gaisang K. Noge) and the Zulu taxi driver Qhawe (Kwenzo Ngcobo). 

The returning The Wife cast includes Mbalenhle Mavimbela as Hlomu, Zikhona Sodlaka as Mandisa, Khanyi Mbau as Zandile and Mondli Makhoba as Nkosana, with Linda Majola returning as Langa. 

The only cast replacement is Wiseman Mncube stepping on for Bonko Khoza as Mqhele.

"With Naledi missing and the Zulu brothers’ crimes now front page news, the third and final season of The Wife is going to be explosive," says Busisiwe Ntintili, head writer. "The Zulu brothers may have finally met their match in Naledi's family."

The third season of The Wife expands beyond the Johannesburg taxi industry to Royal Thabeng and the North West, introducing new cast members like Sello Motloung as Naledi's father, Kgosi; Stoan Seate as Sefako, Qhawe's rival for Naledi; Ncebakazi Pilingane as Xoli, Sambulo's love interest; Mo Setumo as Tshidi, Naledi's elder sister; Terrence Ngwila as Detective Baloyi; and Mathews Rantsoma as Tsietsi. 

Sipho Ndlovu, Thulane Shange and Swelihle Luthuli as the Zulu brothers Sambulo, Mqoqi and Ntsika will also have bigger roles.

The first season of The Wife starts a three-episodes per week linear TV showing on Mzansi Magic from Monday 12 September at 21:30, making the series accessible to lower-tiered DStv Compact subscribers.

"Having seen its impressive and record-breaking performance on Showmax, we have decided to bring The Wife to our DStv Compact subscribers so that they can get in on the action," says Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels.

"We know that our viewers will fall in love with the story and its characters. It's a show that has resonated deeply with many, and we're glad to bring all of our subscribers into this phenomenal world."