South African audiences can't get enough of reality TV

South African audiences can’t get enough of reality TV, with POP24’s The Mommy Club and This Body Works For Me topping the charts on Showmax currently, not to mention Love Island UK, Love Island USA, Themba: My Inked World and Nganele all in the top 20. 

With The Real Housewives of Gqeberha now streaming, and The Real Housewives of Lagos S2 coming at the end of the month, here’s a round-up of the Showmax hits everyone is talking about: 

New on Showmax 

The Real Housewives of Gqeberha S1 | Binge now

Get ready to see a side of Gqeberha you’ve never seen before in 1Magic’s The Real Housewives of Gqeberha. Meet stylish events planner, mother and wife Norma Nicol (who married into Ghanaian royalty); sought-after MC and award-winning businesswoman Buli G Ngomane; dedicated mom, former construction project manager and recent widow Liz Prins; successful salon owner and the wife of the city’s former mayor, Unathi Faku; and Ashleigh Mather, a wife and mom who works in the fashion industry. 

Coming soon

The Real Housewives of Lagos S2 | Showmax Original | Fridays from 29 September

The Real Housewives of Lagos is coming back for its second season, with two new Housewives about to be revealed. The first season broke the first-day streaming record on Showmax Nigeria and was the only African title to crack the top 10 most-watched shows on the streaming service in 2022 across Africa. In addition, the Season 1 reunion scooped the award for Best Costume Designer at the prestigious 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), where the show was also competing for Best Television Series, among other categories. 

Now charting

The Mommy Club S1 | Showmax Original | Binge now

Set in the vibrant City of Gold, The Mommy Club showcases the lives of five glamorous moms who seemingly have it all - and their 13 nannies who make that possible. The Mommy Club set a new record for the most first-week views of any reality series on Showmax and remains at the top of the charts as the 11th and final episode lands today. 

The Mommy Club stars The Real Housewives of Johannesburg’s former breakout star Mpumi Mops, Tshego Manche, and Her Majesty, who each have three kids, as well as new mom Nunurai and mom-of-five Ratile Mabitsela. 

This Body Works For Me S2 | Showmax Original | Binge eps 1-3 now, with new episodes on Tuesdays

The 18SNL reality series This Body Works For Me explores the lives of women in the South African adult entertainment industry. The explosive first season topped the charts on Showmax and Season 2 is currently in second place behind only the record-breaking phenomenon The Mommy Club, which is also produced by POP24. Bubbly, Gina, Primadonna and Wandi are all back in Season 2, joined by newcomers Diamond, Dione Xanthe and Lebo. 

Love Island USA S5 | First on Showmax | Binge eps 1-25, with new episodes on Fridays 

A group of gorgeous singles are taking over a picturesque villa in Fiji for six weeks of sun, beaches, endless smooching and parties in the hopes of finding love and walking away with a whopping $100 000 (around R1.9 million at the current exchange rate). Season 5 is hosted by Teen Choice winner Sarah Hyland (Haley in Modern Family), with Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix making an appearance as a guest host in the first week. 

Addicted much? Episode 22 of Love Island UK S9, which was filmed at a to-die-for villa in Franschhoek, also drops on Friday. 

Themba: My Inked World S1 | Binge now

 #GhostNation stand up: the Mzansi Magic reality show Themba: My Inked World centres on Big Brother Mzansi’s tattooed fan-favourite Themba Broly. Before entering the Big Brother house, Themba had lost everything after his tattoo parlour burned down. Now, with a new home partially paid for by his fans, a music EP on streaming services, and in a high-profile relationship with Big Brother Mzansi Season 3 winner Mphowabadimo, he’s determined to soar to the greatest heights of his life. But how will he deal with the pressures of life in the spotlight, growing his new tattoo business, and balancing his responsibilities to the love of his life and his ex, who is also the mother of his children?

Nganele S1 | Binge now

Mzansi Magic’s Nganele is a spinoff reality TV show that follows three of the couples who participated in Makoti, Are You The One?, which saw potential wives move into their potential mother-in-law’s homes for 21 days, with the hopes of earning their blessing to marry their son. Season 1 of Makoti, Are You The One? is also available to binge on Showmax. 

2023 SAFTA nominees

Reality TV fans can also binge 2023 SAFTA nominees Life With Kelly Khumalo S3, Living The Dream With Somizi S5, Sex in Afrikaans, Uthando Nes’thembu, Our Perfect Wedding S12, Houvrou of Trouvrou, Die Groenste Vingers, Privaatspeurders, and Weskusbewoners on Showmax. 

More addictive reality series to stream online »