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The Four Of Us review: A family legacy tested by power, pain and old secrets

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The Four Of Us review: A family legacy tested by power, pain and old secrets

The Four of Us is a South African family drama and telenovela that follows the influential Dhlomo family, where money, power, and unresolved pain sit at the centre of everyday life.

The series premiered on June 29, 2026, and is produced by Tshedza Pictures. It takes viewers into a family that appears strong from the outside but is slowly being pulled apart by old wounds, sibling rivalry, and a fight over who deserves to lead.

At its heart, the story is about four siblings who carry different memories of their father, their home, and the legacy left behind. Each of them wants to be seen, heard, and respected, but their personal ambitions keep pushing them against one another.

For viewers who enjoy family dramas with emotional conflict, difficult choices and characters who are not always easy to agree with, The Four of Us offers a story that moves beyond simple arguments. It asks what happens when family members begin treating each other like rivals.

Busani carries the weight of the family

The story is led by Busani Dhlomo, the eldest sibling in the Dhlomo family. Busani is presented as a firm and responsible woman who has spent years carrying the family’s burden.

The four of us review. PHOTO/@Netflix

She wants to protect her father’s name and preserve what he built. However, her determination to keep the family together also places her under pressure. Busani often believes she knows what is best for everyone, even when her decisions create tension at home.

Her character gives the series a strong emotional centre because she is not simply fighting for wealth or status. She is trying to protect a legacy she feels responsible for, but the people around her do not always see her actions in the same way.

Bobbi wants his place at the top

Bobbi Dhlomo brings a different kind of energy to the family. He is ambitious, confident and tired of feeling as though he has always stood in Busani’s shadow.

Bobbi believes he deserves recognition as a leader in the family, and he is prepared to fight for it. His struggle is not only about taking control; it is also about years of feeling overlooked.

The role is played by Sdumo Mtshali, who many viewers will recognise as Jonasi Gomora in the popular drama series The Polygamist. In that series, Mtshali played a complicated family man whose secrets caused pain in many lives. In The Four of Us, he steps into a new family conflict as Bobbi, a man determined to claim the respect he believes he has earned.

Banzi searches for belonging

Banzi Dhlomo is the middle sibling whose story brings another layer to the family’s conflict. Unlike Busani and Bobbi, who openly fight for control, Banzi appears to be dealing with the quieter pain of not feeling valued.

His need for approval and belonging makes him an important part of the drama. Banzi’s journey shows that family conflict is not always loud. Sometimes it comes from being ignored for too long, or from feeling that everyone else has a clear role while yours remains uncertain.

The four of us review. PHOTO/@Netflix

The youngest Dhlomo sibling adds a freer spirit to the family. While chasing independence, pleasure and new experiences, this character is also carrying unresolved grief. That grief becomes another reminder that the Dhlomos are connected by more than business and family status.

A drama built around familiar family struggles

What makes The Four of Us easy to follow is that its conflicts feel familiar. It is not only about a rich family fighting over power. It is also about siblings comparing themselves to each other, parents leaving behind expectations, and family members hiding pain until it becomes too difficult to contain.

The series gives viewers enough background to understand why each Dhlomo sibling behaves differently. No character appears completely innocent, but none is written as a simple villain either.

With its focus on legacy, loyalty and resentment, The Four of Us has started as a telenovela that gives viewers a reason to follow the Dhlomo family’s next move. The real question is whether they will protect their father’s legacy together or destroy it while fighting for control.

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Katemarthason Okudo

K.M.

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