Third time a sparkling charm on Being Bonang S3

Bonang Matheba is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in South Africa. She’s been hailed as the Queen B* of the South African entertainment industry, and you don’t need to look very far to know why: her awards, magazine covers, business deals and other achievements speak volumes. To top it off, she also has her own reality TV show, fan favourite Being Bonang. The show is back for its third season and we couldn’t be happier.

So, what can viewers expect in season 3? Well, lots of memorable moments! Speaking to Showmax, the show’s executive producer and director, Teddy Geldart shares: “It would not be Bonang if there were no moments. There are always new quotables – she says what’s on her mind, she is like that on and off camera.”

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Be part of Bonang’s world

As you can imagine, following Bonang around with cameras must be quite an exciting job. If she’s not on the red carpet, she’s hosting an event somewhere, or doing one of her gigs overseas. Choosing what to include in the show and what to leave out is s challenge. When asked about which moments make it to the show, Teddy says it’s based on the vision and what viewers will find entertaining.

He explained: “I think it really is, and should be, a bit of both: telling the story first to the audience and, just as importantly, telling it for ourselves. It’s a moment in time with the biggest star in South Africa – it’s a legacy. She is the epitome of entertainment, so we are guaranteed entertainment all the time, but we also have to take the vision into consideration, which is to inspire growth and aspiration to the viewer.”

Elaborating further on his vision for the show, he says: “I think as a producer, it really is to make sure that we see the essence of a black woman who is going for everything she desires in a real and authentic way, in a setting that really inspires growth and aspiration not only for her, but for the others who look up to her.” He also added that the vision is to deliver on the audience’s expectation of who they believe Bonang is, from her personality to the people she engages with and the places she experiences.

“I think as a producer, [my vision] is to make sure that we see the essence of a black woman who is going for everything she desires in a real and authentic way, in a setting that really inspires growth and aspiration not only for her, but for the others who look up to her.”

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On his vision as the director, Teddy says: “It is really to allow Bonang to tell her story as authentically as she possibly can. My job  is to filter and streamline that for an audience without compromising her truth and reality.”

Bonang + Pinky Girl = Reality magic

From what we’ve seen, it’s evident that the vision comes to life because both Bonang and her cousin, Tebogo “Pinky Girl” Mekgwe,  are always true to themselves. And their realness was particularly evident in the second season as they were more comfortable.

“Bonang is such an intrinsically sensitive and emotional person that at her most comfortable, she is unable to hold back on being exactly that – authentic, funny, driven and inspirational. In essence, what I am trying to say is that because she is more comfortable, she is more willing to share and give of herself,” says Teddy.

While Bonang has been in the entertainment business for over a decade, her cousin, on the other hand, was only introduced to Mzansi in the first season.

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Says Teddy: “Pinky is the most gracious soul. I am humbled constantly by her ability to just take in the events around her and apply it to herself or her life. Constantly searching and trying new things, there’s quite an innocence to her that is so endearing. Reality TV found her and not the other way around.”

He believes that this season, outside of dreaming, Pinky will really step up to the plate. “Using the occasions to make things happen for herself. Living by her cousin, Bonang’s words: ‘You are in control of your destiny’.”

It’s clear that both women are showing others how far your dreams can take you. And this is the message that Teddy wants to communicate through the show: that success is possible for black children, especially black girls. He describes working with Bonang as a dream come true.

See why so many people are inspired by Bonang by watching Being Bonang S3 on Showmax at the same time as it airs on 1Magic.