One has portrayed the role of a powerful businesswoman for 20 uninterrupted years on Muvhango. The other has played multiple characters in drama series and movies, including a guest appearance in the 10th season of the American medical drama series, E.R. and the role of Zindzi Mandela in the Hollywood movie, Mandela and De Klerk (1997).
Sindi Dlathu and Moshidi Motshegwa are among the country’s top actresses with a combined experience of over 50 years. Dlathu’s Thandaza character will bow out from the Tshivenda SABC2 soapie on Thursday, but she is already causing a stir as Lindiwe Dlamini in The River, the flagship telenovela of the new M-Net channel, 1Magic.
Smooth, calculating and superior, the cold-hearted mining magnate is already suspected of the murder of one of her miners, Thato Mokoena (Don Mlangeni Nawa). Thato’s children, Cobra and Itumeleng (Presley Chweneyagae and Larona Moagi) have already tried to find justice for their dad without success.
Only time will tell whether his widow, Malefu Mokoena (Moshidi Motshegwa) will plan revenge. At the moment her priority is putting her children on the straight and narrow, especially Cobra, who is prone to criminal tendencies. Her Christian faith is her spiritual anchor amid life’s challenges without a husband and breadwinner.
As a praying woman she always harbours hope she will be relieved of the poverty that now defines her life and that of her children. The Malefu character is worlds apart from Motshegwa’s most famous role - that of super bitch Naomi in Rhythm City. By contrast, Malefu is a grounded housewife with a moral compass, but someone who maintains a strong hand when it comes to disciplining her children.
On the few occasions she has had encounters with Lindiwe, she has proven that despite her humble station in life, she is not a pushover.
After she left Rhythm City in 2012, Motshegwa did two seasons as the Maroon Queen in the American adventure series, Black Sails (2014-2017).
A moving story of love, greed and betrayal, The River portrays two interdependent, but contrasting worlds of affluence and indigence.
The series is spectacular viewing that unmasks the nakedness of corporate greed by the black nouveau riche, while at the same time exposing the rawness of township poverty and social struggles such as alcoholism. In these worlds the urban sprawl of shanty towns is literally in the shadow of four-storey palatial mansions and high, electric fences.
The River is an impeccable, suspenseful story from the pen of Phathutshedzo Makwarela, an award-winning scriptwriter with a number of famous credits to his name, including The Queen.
The telenovela boasts a strong cast that includes Hlomla Dandala as Zweli Dlamini, the leading lady’s husband. A consummate actor, he plays the role of Zweli - the leading lady’s devoted husband - with characteristic finesse.
Lawrence Maleka, best known as presenter of the Mzansi Magic talent show, Clash of the Choirs, is impressive as the Dlaminis’ adopted, but rebellious son, Zolani.
The River airs weekdays on 1Magic (channel 103) at 8pm.