It will soon be time to bid goodbye to the beloved citizens of Refilwe, as M-Net Local Entertainment Channels announces that 1Magic’s The River is coming to an end with its upcoming sixth season.
1Magic’s flagship show which was launched with the channel in 2018, made its impact beyond our borders; being adapted in several other African countries, including Nigeria and Angola.
With several impressive milestones – from clean sweeps at prestigious awards shows to over 1200 episodes aired – the Tshedza Pictures telenovela has been a gamechanger in South African television. The show has scooped 26 SAFTAs out of 31 nominations, and with one 47th International Emmy Award nomination to its name, it still remains the most awarded telenovela in South Africa.
“At M-Net Local Entertainment Channels we would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the cast and crew of The River for a memorable five years. Their hard work, dedication and brilliance have led to the telenovela’s success. 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,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net.
Phathu Makwarela, Executive Producer at Tshedza Pictures, says: “When we created The River seven years ago, we knew that we wanted to tell a story that will have a definite ending. Now on its sixth season, we feel the time is right to bring the story of these beloved characters to an end, on our own terms and when viewers still treasure the show. As the saying goes, ‘a good dancer always knows when to leave the stage’, and now it’s that time for The River.
Over the years, The River has given top names a platform to shine, while unearthing new talent who have gone on to enjoy fruitful careers. New talent such as: Zenokuhle Maseko; Larona Moagi; Lunga Mofokeng; Thabiso Ramotshela; Jessica Sithole; and most recently, Unathi Mkhize, Vuyo Biyela and Tina Dlathu. While actors like Lawrence Maleka, Thembinkosi Mthembu, Lunga Shabalala, and Lunathi Mampofu’s careers grew even further due to the prominent characters they played on the show.
Hlomla Dandala held the fort as the male protagonist, while Sindi Dlathu became the ultimate leading star, winning two SAFTAs for Best Actress and becoming series co-executive producer.
Tshedza Pictures maintains a strong relationship with M-Net Local Entertainment Channels. The award-winning production house’s other credits include the newly premiered Gqeberha: The Empire (Mzansi Magic), the first telenovela filmed in the Eastern Cape; The Republic (Mzansi Magic); and Legacy (M-Net).
Set in the colourful fictional mining town of Refilwe, the acclaimed telenovela’s sixth season premieres on 6 February 2023 on DStv Channel 103 at 20:00.
