The River cast (new season): Who are the characters in the final season?
Those who enjoy television drama series can attest to the depth of quality entertainment and education that The River soapie series has brought to its audience. However, behind the success of this show are unique professional characters who have led credence to the show's theme and made every watch worth the time. So, who are The River cast members?
Source: Twitter
The River is a captivating production that tells the story of a Khanyisa Diamonds mine owner who goes to great extents to protect her lavish lifestyle and loved ones. The series' sixth season is starting, leaving most fans curious about who the characters will be.
Will there be season 6 of The River?
Yes, season six is confirmed to broadcast, though there will be a little change in the cast members. According to the director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, Shirley Adonisi, the sixth season will be one for the books. According to her:
The final season is going to be the show’s most epic one yet. The drama will be bigger and better, setting the stage for the ultimate finale.
Who are the new cast members of The River?
To ensure maximum entertainment for viewers, new actors have been added to star in the sixth season of the drama series. The River's new actors to expect in the show are discussed below:
Thembi Mtshali-Jones
Source: UGC
- Full name: Thembi Mtshali-Jones
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 7 November 1949
- Age: 73 years old (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Vrede, South Africa
- Spouse: Emrys Jones (1999–2016)
The South African actress is one of the country's most celebrated artists. She has played in famous television serials, including Stokvel, Silent Witness, and Imbewu. In the series, she stars as Thandeka Dlamini, a woman with sharp eyes and a sharper tongue in her town.
Khutjo Green
Source: UGC
- Full name: Khutjo Mandji Mmola
- Gender: Female
- Famous as: Khutjo Green
- Date of birth: 18 February
- Place of birth: Polokwane, Limpopo province, South Africa
Khutjo Green works as an actress and director. Her role in the SABC2 drama series Guilt as Emily shot her into the limelight. In 2007, she bagged a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts (Honours) at Witwatersrand University.
As an iconic actress, she has won several awards, including the Naledi Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role in 2013. The River actress has played in dramas like Thola, Mfolozi Street, and the SABC1 youth soapie Skeem Saam. She stars as Paballo Motaung in this series.
Ayanda Borotho
- Full name: Ayanda Borotho
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 13 January 1981
- Age: 42 years old (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Ntuzuma, South Africa
The Ntuzuma South African-born actress was a model. The role she played between 2007 and 2010 in the SABC 1 sitcom Nomzamo shot her into the limelight. She also starred in Losing Lerato, Shaka iLembe, and the first season of Wounds.
Nandi Nyembe
Source: UGC
- Full name: Nandi Nyembe
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 19 August 1950
- Age: 72 years old (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Kliptown, Johannesburg, South Africa
Born in Kliptown Johannesburg, South Africa, on 19 August 1950 but raised in places like Botswana, Nandi is a veteran South African actress with over three decades of acting experience. She has starred in movies like The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Reyka, and Adulting. As one of The River cast members in 2023, she plays Gogo Stella.
Kamo Modisakeng
Source: UGC
- Full name: Kamo Modisakeng
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 14 July 1994
- Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: South African
If you have watched the Mzansi Magic drama series Rockville, you should know Kamo Modisakeng. The South African actress played Bassie, Mavis' naive niece, and shot into the limelight, though she debuted in the Vuzu Amp drama series aYeYe in 2015. She plays Bonolo in The River season six.
Tebogo Khalo
- Full name: Tebogo Khalo
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 31 May 1985
- Age: 38 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: South African
Tebogo Khalo is an award-winning actress and radio broadcaster starring in the sixth season of the famous television show. While she plays Makhosi in The River series, she was known as Puleng Mofokeng in Rhythm City. The unique ways she delivers her roles have made her famous among entertainment lovers.
Who are the returning cast in The River?
Though many cast members are not returning to the show, two old members have been confirmed to play a role n the new season.
Thapelo Sebogodi
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Thapelo Sebogodi
- Age: 34 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Khabzela
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Actor Thapelo Sebogodi is among the biggest names in the South African entertainment scene. He is popularly known as Khabzela, a role he plays in this Mzansi’s drama TV show.
Nkanyiso Bhengu
- Full name: Nkanyiso Bhengu
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: 15 June 1975
- Age: 48 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: South African
Nkanyiso is a multi-gifted personality. He is a South African musician, television host, and actor. His entertainment career started in the early 2000s after he competed in Popstars, an SABC3 reality series. As a presenter, he anchored the Coca-Cola Mega Millions game show on eTV and Agape, a Sunday morning devotional program on SABC1.
Who is leaving The River season 6?
The River television series remains one of the longest-airing drama series in South Africa. Below is an exhaustive list of all the cast of The River (South African TV series) who are not playing a role again in the new season.
1. Charmaine Mtinta
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Charmaine Mtinta
- Age: 49 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Zungazi
- Cast type: Recurring
- Seasons: 4 and 5
Charmaine Mtinta joined the series in 2021. She got the recurring role of Zungazi, first appearing in an episode named after her character. She is still acting as Zungazi in the fifth season.
2. Connie Ferguson
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Constance Ferguson
- Age: 51 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Harriet Khoza
- Cast type: Recurring
- Season: 1
Constance Ferguson is an actress, filmmaker, producer and businesswoman. She starred in the first instalment of the series as Harriet Khoza. She was also the supervising producer in some episodes.
3. Bheki Mkhwane
- Real name: Bheki Mkhwane
- Character: BuKhosi Hlophe
- Cast type: Main
- Season: 5
Bheki Mkhwane joined the series in the fifth season. He portrays the character of BuKhosi Hlophe. Besides acting, he is a director, producer, composer and playwright.
4. Brenda Mhlongo
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Brenda Mhlongo
- Age: 41 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Nomafu Hlophe
- Cast type: Main
- Season: 5
Brenda Mhlongo is a dancer, actress, and singer. The actress has starred in many shows. She bagged the role of Nomafu Hlophe in the show's fifth instalment.
5. Chuck Shisana Wa Sekgobela
- Real name: Chuck Shisana Wa Sekgobela
- Age: 44 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Detective Tshabalala
- Cast type: Recurring (seasons 1 to 3) and main (seasons 3 and 4)
- Season: 1 to 5
Chuck Shisana Wa Sekgobela joined the series in 2018. Initially, he visualised being a good cop. As the story progressed, the writers developed him into the underhanded Detective Tshabalala he is.
6. Ferry Jele
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Ferry B. Jele
- Age: 40 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Veronica Dlamini
- Cast type: Recurring
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Ferry Jele is a household name in the local film industry. She has been a recurring character in this series since it started. She acts as Veronica Dlamini and has also directed the show.
7. Galaletsang Koffman
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Galaletsang Koffman
- Age: 27 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Beauty
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Beauty is a flamboyant and outspoken character who is often misunderstood. Galaletsang Koffman portrays her character.
8. Hlomla Dandala
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Hlomla Dandala
- Age: 47 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Commissioner Zweli Dikana
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Hlomla Dandala acts as Commissioner Zweli Dikana. He joined the show in the first instalment as a main character and is still starring in the fifth one.
9. Jet Novuka
- Real name: Jet Monwabisi Mgcanabana
- Age: 51 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Walter Sotshongaye
- Cast type: Main
- Season: 1
Actor Jet Novuka starred in the series debut season as Walter Sotshongaye. He has starred in numerous productions but is best known for his role as Zakes in Yizo Yizo and Andile Makhubu in Jacob's Cross.
10. Larona Moagi
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Larona Moagi
- Age: 25 years (as of 2021)
- Character: Tumi Mokoena
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 3
Larona Moagi auditioned in 2017 and got a role to play Itumeleng "Tumi" Mokoena in The River. She was still a student at the time, so she spent weekdays shooting scenes and weekends catching up on her studies. She acted as Tumi in the first three seasons.
11. Lawrence Maleka
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Lawrence Maleka
- Age: 32 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Zolani Dlamini
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Lawrence Maleka is a renowned actor who has starred in the series as Zolani Dlamini. He started acting young and has since appeared in many films, commercials, and TV shows.
12. Lebogang Tlokana
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Lebogang Tlokana
- Age: 32 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Dora Phakathi
- Cast type: Recurring
- Season: 2
Lebogang Tlokana is commonly known as the Funny Chef. She featured in the second instalment of the series as Dora Phakathi.
13. Linda Mtoba
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Linda Mtoba
- Age: 30 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Nomonde Dikana
- Cast type: Main(seasons 1 to 4) and recurring (season 5)
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Actress Linda Mtoba is a popular figure and fashionista in South Africa. She was a main character in the show for the first four seasons.
14. Lunathi Mampofu
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Lunathi Mampofu
- Age: 35 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Emmarentia Dlamini
- Cast type: Recurring (season 3) and main (seasons 4 and 5)
- Seasons: 3 to 5
Actress Lunathi Mampofu joined the cast in the third instalment as a recurring figure. In the subsequent instalments, she became the main character. She portrays the role of Emmarentia Dlamini.
15. Lunga Mofokeng
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Lunga Mofokeng
- Age: 26 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Andile Dikana
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Lunga Mofokeng portrays the character of Andile, who has been through so much in life. He is a gay man who attempted suicide after his family tried to force him to marry a woman.
16. Lunga Shabalala
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Lunga Shabalala
- Age: 33 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Lindani Dlomo
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 3
Lunga Shabalala rose to fame as a presenter on the SABC 1 entertainment and variety TV show, Selimathunzi. He was cast in this series as Lindani Dlomo, and he acted in the first three instalments.
17. Mary-Anne Barlow
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Mary-Anne Barlow
- Age: 48 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Gail Mathabatha
- Cast type: Recurring
- Season: 2
Mary-Anne Barlow was born in 1974 in Harare, Zimbabwe. She was featured in the second instalment of the series as Gail Mathabatha.
18. Masasa Mbangeni
- Real name: Masasa Lindiwe Mbangeni
- Character: Advocate Akhona
- Cast type: Recurring
- Season: 2
Masasa Lindiwe Mbangeni was born and bred in Port Elizabeth. She was featured on The River as Advocate Akhona in the second season.
19. Matshepo Sekgopi
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Matshepo Sekgopi
- Age: 25 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Dimpho Mokoena
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Matshepo Sekgopi is a main character of the show. She has been portraying the character of Dimpho Mokoena since the show started.
20. Moshidi Motshegwa
Real name: Moshidi Motshegwa
- Age: 45 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Malefu Mokoena
- Cast type: Main
- Season: 1
Malefu Mokoena was featured in the first instalment of the series as Malefu Mokoena. She left the show because she was underpaid.
21. Ntokozo Dlamini
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Ntokozo Dlamini
- Age: 31 years (as of 2021)
- Character: Sihle Ngema
- Cast type: Recurring
- Season: 2
Ntokozo Dlamini was a recurring character in the second instalment of the show. He portrayed the character of Sihle Ngema. He is married to actress Jessica Nkosi.
22. Presley Chweneyagae
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Presley Chweneyagae
- Age: 37 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Thuso Mokoena
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Since it started, Presley Chweneyagae has been on the show as a main character. He acts as Thuso Mokoena, a role he portrays with finesse.
23. Sello Maake Ka Ncube
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Sello Maake kaNcube
- Age: 62 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Malome Sechaba
- Cast type: Recurring
- Seasons: 1 to 3
Sello Maake kaNcube acted as Malome Sechaba in the first three seasons. He is one of South Africa's most respected actors.
24. Seputla Sebogodi
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Septula Sebogodi
- Age: 60 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Mohumi
- Cast type: Recurring
- Seasons: 3 and 4
He started going to the theatre when he was pretty young. In this series, he portrays the character of Mohumi.
25. Shannon Esra
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Shannon Esrechowitz
- Age: 38 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Advocate Sandra Stein
- Cast type: Recurring
- Seasons: 1 to 4
Actress Shannon Esrechowitz is a gifted actress who acts as Advocate Sandra Stein. She was a recurring character in the first four seasons.
26. Sindi Dlathu
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Sindiswa Dlathu
- Age: 48 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Lindiwe Dlamini –Dikana
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Actress Sindi Dlathu is a seasoned actress who acts as Lindiwe Dlamini –Dikana in this series. She is the Khanyisa Diamonds mine owner who is unafraid of doing anything to maintain her wealth and family.
27. Tango Ncetezo
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Tango Ncetezo
- Age: 37 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Paulina Dlomo
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Tango Ncetezo is a South African actress prominent for playing the role of Lindiwe in A Place Called Home. She is also a member of the cast of the South African TV series, The River as Paulina Dlomo.
28. Thabiso Ramotshehla
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Thabiso Ramotshela
- Age: 18 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Morena Mokoena
- Cast type: Recurring (season 3) and main (seasons 4 and 5)
- Season: 3 to 5
Thabiso Ramotshela is a young actor who joined the cast in the third instalment. The teenager portrays the character of Morena Mokoena.
29. Thembinkosi Mthembu
- Real name: Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu
- Age: 27 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Mabutho Dimba
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 3 to 5
Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu is a talented young actor who has been on the series since the third season. He acts as Mabutho Dimba.
31. Tina Dlathu
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Tina Dlathu
- Character: Khwezi Hlophe
- Cast type: Main
- Season: 5
Tina Dlathu is Sindi Dlathu's younger sister. The actress joined the show in its fifth season as Khwezi Hlophe.
32. Tinah Mnumzana
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Tinah Arcia Mnumzana
- Age: 55 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Mam' Flora Moloi
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 to 5
Actress Tinah Mnumzana has portrayed the role of Mam' Flora Moloi since the series started airing. She is a talented actress who has also featured in many other shows.
33. TK Sebothoma
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Tokollo Sebothoma
- Age: 28 years (as of 2022)
- Character: c
- Cast type: Main
- Season: 1
Tokollo Sebothoma was one of The River characters that exited the show after its debut season. He acted as Happy Moloi.
34. Tsholofelo Matshaba
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Tsholofelo Matshaba
- Age: 39 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Kedibone Mokoena
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 2 to 5
Tsholofelo Matshaba is a SAFTA award-winning actress from South Africa. She has been portraying the character of Kedibone Mokoena since the second season.
35. Unathi Mkhize
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Unathi Mkhize
- Character: Nkanyiso Hlophe
- Cast type: Main
- Season: 5
Unathi Mkhize is one of the new additions to the show. He joined the cast in the fifth season and portrays the character of Nkanyiso Hlophe.
36. Vuyo Biyela
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Vuyo Biyela
- Character: Mlilo Hlophe
- Cast type: Main
- Season: 5
Vuyo Biyela is one of the new faces in The River cast in 2022. He joined the show in the fifth season and portrays the role of Mlilo Hlophe. He is also a recording artist.
37. Warren Masemola
Source: Instagram
- Real name: Montloana Warren Masemola
- Age: 39 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Oupa Matamela
- Cast type: Recurring
- Seasons: 1 to 4
Montloana Warren Masemola is one of The River's actors who recently exited the show. He is a talented artist who portrayed the role of Oupa Matamela in the first four seasons.
38. Zenokuhle Maseko
- Real name: Zenokuhle Maseko
- Age: 24 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Mbali Dikana
- Cast type: Main
- Seasons: 1 and 2
Zenokuhle Maseko is a young actress who gained fame after featuring in this series as Mbali Dikana. She was in the first two seasons before exiting from the show.
39. Zenzo Ngqobe
- Real name: Zenzo Ngqobe
- Age: 38 years (as of 2022)
- Character: Percival "Mapercente" Tau
- Cast type: Recurring
- Seasons: 1 to 4
His character, Percival "Mapercente" Tau, was recurring in seasons 1 to 4. He has since left the show. He was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor SAFTA award for his outstanding performance in this show.
Where is The River filmed?
The series is filmed at a secluded location on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
Who is the creator of The River?
Phathutshedzo Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon created the show.
The River cast includes seasoned actors and actresses like Connie Ferguson and younger ones still finding their footing in the industry. All cast members worked well together to produce a fantastic show.
READ ALSO: Imbewu cast: A-Z exhaustive list with actors' pictures 2022
Briefly.co.za recently published an exhaustive list of the Imbewu cast. Imbewu The Seed is a thrilling drama series that has aired for over four years.
The soap opera centres on family and cultural problems that divide people. Some of its cast members are Brenda Mhlongo, Brightness Zulu, Busisiwe Shezi, Jailoshini Naidoo, and Kajal Maharaj.
Source: Briefly News
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