The Wife is coming to Mzansi Magic

Romance, rivalry and revenge – that’s what Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) viewers can expect when the country’s most buzzed-about telenovela, The Wife, premieres on Monday 12 September.

The hit telenovela, which is a Showmax Original, will air three nights a week, and DStv Compact subscribers can watch it Mondays to Wednesdays at 21:30 and the omnibus will air on Saturdays from 21:30-23:00.

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The most-watched series in Showmax history, The Wife has broken several records on the platform. The premiere of the recently concluded Season 2 enjoyed the most first-day views on the streaming service – beating its own previous record for the Season 1 premiere.

“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. 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,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net.

Inspired by author Dudu Busani-Dube’s popular Hlomu the Wife book series, The Wife follows the love story of a feisty young journalist, Hlomu (played by Mbalenhle Mavimbela), and the unpredictable taxi driver Mqhele Zulu (Bonko Khoza). However, their romance is the anchor around which others live – as much as The Wife is a telenovela about a young couple in love, it’s also about loyalty, family and the lengths people go to in the name of both.

The series has won acclaim and awards for its cast. Some of its actors were nominated at this year’s DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards, with Abdul Khoza (who plays Nqoba) walking away with Best Male Actor and Kwenzo Ngcobo (who plays Qhawe) won Favourite Rising Star. Mbalenhle Mavimbela and Bonko Khoza were both named in Sowetan’s list of Stars Who Shone the Brightest this Year list, while The Wife is now up for 10 SAFTAs, including Best Telenovela and Most Popular Soap/Telenovela.

The Wife’s cast is rounded off by established as well as emerging talent, including Mondli Makhoba, Kay Sibiya, Sipho Ndlovu, Siyabonga Shibe, Linda Majola and a SAFTA nominated performance by Zikhona Sodlaka as Mandisa.

Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) is available exclusively on DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact. To upgrade your existing package, click here. Or if you'd like to Get DStv, find a service that suits your needs here.