Showmax reveals cast of The Wife and fans are torn

South Africans have been eagerly awaiting this day. Those who've read the books just couldn't wait to see who will get to play the Zulu brothers in one of the most anticipated shows that will be adapted from a book.

Showmax has finally revealed the cast members of the first-ever South African telenovela created by the streaming service, The Wife. The Showmax telenovela is based on Dudu Busani-Dube's famous books, Hlomu The Wife series. 

Since news broke that the telenovela is in production stages, fans of the novel made it as their mission to suggest who should be cast as the infamous Zulu brothers. 

Read more | Meet Dudu Busani-Dube, the author behind Showmax's first original telenovela - The Wife

Now, the anticipation is over and the Zulu brothers have been revealed.

Scoring the coveted lead role of Mqhele is Bonko Khoza, a South African rising star known for his role as Jabz in the critically acclaimed cult film Necktie Youth, a role that earned him a best actor nomination.

“I read the book a couple of years ago and was a fan from the moment I put it down. Fast forward to 2021 when I got sent an audition for the series. I’m really excited to bring to life this incredible piece of writing. Dudu created a compelling work of art and now we get to breathe life into it, put faces to names and show it to the world,” he said in a statement released by Showmax.

The series is centred around a family of the eight Zulu brothers who start out working as taxi drivers in Johannesburg after they are forced to flee their rural KwaZulu-Natal home village.

Imbewu star Kwenzo Ngcobo will play the role of Qhawe; Sipho Ndlovu, from Isibaya and The Queen, is cast as Sambulo.

The other Zulu brothers will include SAFTA winner Abdul Khoza; Mondli Makhoba as Nkosana and SAFTA nominee Thulane Shange as Mqoqi; Ishmael Songo as Mpande and Swelihle Luthuli as Ntsika. 

“The Showmax series expands on the world created in the novel. For fans of Hlomu the Wife, who know all the scenes and the lines, be prepared for new experiences and surprises on screen,” says author, Dudu.

Now that the cast has been revealed, social media fans seem to be disappointed with the casting;