shloboe boe
The River (South Africa television soapie) is getting a spin-off series that will be premised around Presley Chweneyagae’s fan-favourite character Cobra, which just won him another SA Film and Television Award (Safta).
Titled Cobrizi, the 13-episode series is expected to premiere in March 2025, helmed by Phathutshedzo Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon’s Tshedza Pictures — producers of the original telenovela that concluded earlier this year after six seasons.
Thapelo Sebogodi, who portrayed Cobra’s BFF Kabzela in The River, is confirmed to reprise his role.
Winnie Ntshaba, who played Zodwa in The River, will also appear.
A star-studded cast of Thembsie Matu, Sivenathi Mabuya (Bongiwe), Paul Maila, Ishmauel Songo, Chrispen Nyathi, Thobani Mbhele and Moliehi Didie Makobane will have supporting roles.
Fresh-fast actors including Siphiwe Radebe, Kadia Banyini, Xolani Mfeka and Charmaine Mncwabe have been cast.
It also has Bulawayo South Africa based actor Crispen Nkosiyapha Nyathi, who won the outstanding supporting actor award for his role as Pastor Charleston in Diep City at the Royalty Soapie Awards 2024 in South Africa
“Cobra’s story resonated with our Mzansi Magic viewers because of the way it presented the glamorous lives of the Dlamini-Dikanas compared to the struggling Mokoenas. It’s a story of hope, resilience, and community,” said Shirley Adonisi, director of local entertainment channels at M-Net.
“Presley brought tremendous depth and humour to the character and this is a way to explore this tortured man’s world and see if his anger could be focused into tenacity to help him try to create a better life for himself.”
The plotline will be focused on Cobra moving to inner city Johannesburg (The River was set in Pretoria), where he unexpectedly finds love while on a quest to do right to his youngest child. —
(www.sowetanlive.co.za)
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
