The Wife is a South African telenovela inspired by characters and events from the Hlomu book series by Dudu Busani-Dube - Hlomu the Wife, Zandile the Resolute and Naledi His Love - which follow the lives of the eight Zulu brothers, a formidable crime family, through the eyes of the wives they marry.
The Wife follows the love story of a feisty young journalist, Hlomu (Mbalenhle Mavimbela), and the unpredictable taxi driver and taxi owner, Mqhele (Bonko Khoza).
However, their story is the anchor around which others live – as much as The Wife is a show about a young couple in love, it's also about loyalty, family and the lengths people go to in the name of both.
While on her way to work, Hlomu bumps her car into Qhawe's taxi.
When she comes out to apologise, the Zulu brother is immediately lovestruck, noticing how beautiful she is.
Hlomu hands him her business card and arranges to pay for the damage caused, but Qhawe tells her not to worry about it.
In the afternoon of the same day, she decides to take a taxi because her car is damaged after the collision with Qhawe.
Mqhele sees her coming and has a love-at-first-sight moment.
Overcome with emotion, Mqhele grabs the keys from Qhawe's hand and drives off with Hlomu in the car.
Qhawe is the one who first fell in love with her, but he failed to put a plan into action until his brother beat him to it.
Much to the passengers' disappointment, Mqhele stops the taxi and goes out of his way to steal Hlomu's heart by buying her an ice cream.
What follows after is daily taxi rides to and from work as the charming taxi driver sweeps Hlomu off her feet, while she is having relationship problems with her doctor boyfriend, Sandile (Kay Sibiya).
What Hlomu does not know is the type of business that Mqhele and his brothers are into, or the struggles she will have to face in future if she allows Mqhele to sweep her off her feet.
Will their love survive bitter feuds and the demons that surround them?
The rest of the Zulu brothers are played by Kwenzo Ngcobo (Qhawe), Sipho Ndlovu (Sambulo); Abdul Khoza (Nqoba); Mondli Makhoba (Nkosana); Thulane Shange (Mqoqi); Swelihle Luthuli (Ntsika) and Ishmauel Songo (Mpande).
The Wife is a Showmax Original Production, executive produced for Stained Glass TV by Gugu Zuma-Ncube, Pepsi Pokane and Theogaren Moodley.
The executive producers for Showmax are Yolisa Phahle, Allan Sperling and Nomsa Philiso.
The head writer is Thuli Zuma, with a team of storyliners including Julian Koboekae, Thuthu Zuma and Ntando Mhlongo.
The directors are Fikile Mogodi, Eric Mogale and Nthabiseng Mokoena.
The original score is by Brendan Jury, with additional music by Oskido Entertainment.