The South African telenovela *The River* has captured audiences with its compelling storyline and talented actors since it first aired in 2018.

Besides their remarkable performances on screen, these actors lead interesting lives behind the scenes, where family, relationships, and personal challenges play significant roles. Here, we take a closer look at some of the main actors in *The River*, their real-life partners, and their families.

**Hlomla Dandala**, known for his role on *The River*, has had a turbulent personal life, having been married twice. His first marriage was to South African Inge Litchfield in 2001.

Unfortunately, their union ended after eight years in 2009, but it marked the start of a life filled with responsibilities as he became a father to several children. Dandala later remarried Brendah Nyakudya, though this marriage also ended in divorce, with Dandala publicly accusing Nyakudya of infidelity.

Despite the challenges in his romantic relationships, he is the father of five children from different relationships and continues to manage the complexities of his family life while maintaining a successful career in acting.

Another beloved figure on *The River* is **Lawrence Maleka**. While he keeps his personal life mostly private, it is known that he is married.

The couple values their privacy immensely, with few details available about their relationship, marriage date, or whether they have children.

Maleka’s choice to keep his family away from the spotlight has helped him maintain a balance between his professional and personal life, which his fans respect.

**Moshidi Motshegwa**, a formidable presence on *The River*, is a talented actress who has had her share of personal challenges.

She was previously married in 1992, but her marriage only lasted three years before her husband left, which caused her a great deal of pain.

Motshegwa has two children: a son named Bokang and a daughter named Nonkululeko Yota. Despite her trials, she has remained a strong and loving mother, focusing on her family and career in equal measure.

On the lighter side of family life, **Brenda Ngxoli** is married to Dylan Lloyd, a well-known film and television director based in Johannesburg.

Although little is known about their wedding details, the couple is blessed with a daughter, born through IVF in the United States in November 2015.

Ngxoli is known for her dedication to her craft and her family, both of which she manages with grace and privacy.

**Tango Ncetezo**, who plays Detective Tshenolo on *The River*, is married to Mathilda Shobela. Shobela works in the automotive industry, and together, the couple has two children.

While Ncetezo’s role as a detective on the show is intense, his real-life persona is dedicated to family and faith. Their marriage is well-respected, with both parents managing to keep their lives relatively private, despite being in the public eye.

The much-admired **Sindi Dlathu** is a widow who cherishes her family deeply.

She married South African radio personality and businessman Chris Matshaba in 2014, but he tragically passed away in 2018 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Dlathu has four children, who were between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of Matshaba’s passing.

She also has a child with fellow actor Dingaan Mokebe, whom she dated for several years. Dlathu’s life has been marked by resilience, and she continues to be a strong role model for her fans.

**Shannon Esra**, one of the younger stars on *The River*, is a private individual who has not shared much about her romantic life.

Although she is not married and does not appear to be in a relationship, she previously dated her *The River* co-star, Wiseman Zitha. The reasons for their breakup remain private, as both actors chose to keep the details out of the media.

In contrast, **Lunga Shabalala**, a well-known figure in South Africa, has a relationship with photographer Chapielo Mabuchi.

The couple values their privacy and refrains from sharing much about their relationship in public. Despite their low-key presence, they are frequently seen together, and their bond remains strong.

**Presley Chweneyagae**, who is one of *The River*’s more famous faces, is happily married and a father to two children.

The actor keeps his family life private, though he occasionally shares the joys and responsibilities of fatherhood with his fans. His family provides him with a solid foundation as he navigates the demands of his career.

Another actress who values privacy is **Tinah Mnumzana**. She is a married woman with two children, the details of whom remain largely hidden from the public eye.

Known as one of South Africa’s most talented actresses, Mnumzana has carefully managed her personal life, shielding her family from media scrutiny while enjoying the fruits of her successful acting career.

Lastly, **Andile Gumbi**, who has previously starred in *The River*, once had a high-profile relationship with Lorraine Moropa.

Their relationship was well-documented on social media, with both partners sharing moments of their life together.

However, the relationship unexpectedly ended, and Gumbi has chosen to keep details about his love life private since then.

Each of these actors from *The River* brings a unique aspect to the screen, fueled by personal experiences, relationships, and family dynamics.

Their lives outside of acting are filled with the same emotional highs and lows that make them so relatable on screen.

As *The River* continues to captivate audiences with its drama, the cast members’ off-screen lives add an intriguing layer, reminding fans that these talented individuals face the same joys and challenges as the characters they portray.