Digging for drama
Sindi Dlathu and Moshidi Motshegwa’s characters live in different worlds on new telenovela The River, but they have more in common than they realise.
The River Weekdays 1Magic (*103) 20:00
Mining engineer and business mogul Lindiwe (Sindi Dlathu) is living her childhood dream on telenovela The River (which started on Monday 29 January). Growing up, she dreamt of running her own diamond mining empire where she would have a seat alongside men. “And she is doing just that,” says Sindi. “Lindiwe spent her youth working hard and she has built herself from the ground up. She’s the type of person who gets whatever she wants – and she will even kill to get closer to her goals,” warns the 44-year- old actress.
While Lindiwe’s business partner and husband Zweli (Hlomla Dandala, Siseko on soapie Scandal! 2005- current; see page 19) is kept in the loop about their mining company, he has no idea that Lindiwe is getting rid of her enemies left, right and centre. “Family comes first to these two. They’ve been together through thick and thin but he would lose his mind if he discovered that she’s a ruthless monster behind the scenes, so Lindiwe is keeping a lid on her evil activities,” explains Sindi. But it’s not just her hubby that Lindiwe has to hide her deadly affairs from: her adoptive son Zolani (Lawrence Maleka) is digging in her business and he is close to the truth.
DIME A DOZEN
While Lindiwe lives like a queen, her employees and enemies are struggling to get by. But that could change when they plot to expose her crimes. Leading the attack is troubled teen Itumeleng (Larona Moagi), who wants Lindiwe to pay for her episode-1 murder of Lindiwe’s dad Thato (Don Mlangeni Nawa, last seen in 2015 as Detective Dhlomo on Uzalo, 2015- current, see p12). Still grieving her husband Thato’s murder, Malefu (Moshidi Motshegwa, best known as Naomi in Rhythm City, 2007- current, see p18) tries to persuade Itumeleng to forget about revenge and to follow her lead, trying to better their poor community and help other widows. “Like Lindiwe, Malefu’s sole mission is to make sure that her family is taken care of when Thato dies,” explains Moshidi. “She wants a better life for Itumeleng and doesn’t want her to end it by trying to tear down Lindiwe.” The actress adds that her character and Lindiwe share that trait: “They’ve been beaten down but stand up tall and somehow make it work. Although Malefu isn’t glamorous like Lindiwe, she has the same fight to beat the odds and build a legacy.”
NO PAIN, NO GAIN
Sindi made headlines in October 2017 when she quit her 20-year-old role as Thandaza on Muvhango (1997- current, see p12). “I knew that it was time to move on when I hit two decades,” she says. “I had been praying for a sign and the producers of The River called me. It was a no-brainer that I was going to be part of it after I read the script. It spoke to me.” Something she’s getting used to is filming on location rather than a set like on Muvhango. “I’m not used to waiting on the weather or natural light to start with a scene. It’s a whole new world for me and although I was sad to leave Muvhango, I’m thrilled to be working with a new cast and directors as well,” she adds.