Shebeen Queens on Showmax
Sanelisiwe Mhlati6 August 2024

Meet the shebeen queens of Soweto in new Showmax reality series

Showmax has just dropped the first-look trailer for Shebeen Queens, a reality show about the indomitable women behind popular Soweto shebeens Alina’s Place, Big Mama’s Tavern, and Rama Tavern.

Produced by Barkers Media (How To Manifest A Man), Shebeen Queens premieres on 22 August 2024, with new episodes every Thursday until 14 November.

Starring larger-than-life entrepreneurs Alina Sishange, Emily Thabang Leeuw a.k.a Big Mama, and Xoliswa Shwayimba, the Showmax Original follows the shebeen queens as they try to balance parenting with keeping their businesses afloat in a cut-throat, all-hours industry that is filled with liquor and laughter - and has historically been male-dominated. 

Watch the trailer for Shebeen Queens

“Shebeen Queens unpacks the myths we grew up being told and were made to believe about women who run shebeens,” says producer Mpho Lengane. “The audience is going to be entertained: Barkers Media and Showmax have created something magical. Never has there been on screen such raw, relatable stories that will speak to the women's spirit of wanting to nurture their family, having to forego their soft feminine nature in order to take on masculine energy so that they can run businesses and households, and once in a while drop their guard so that they can allow the men in their lives to love them the way a woman should.” 

Meet the shebeen queens

Alina Sishange

Alina Sishange in Shebeen Queens

Alina’s world is an unconventional mix of faith and temptation: she is a shebeen owner, traditional healer and pastor. This means her life is a constant balancing act, faced with challenges and criticism from multiple sides. While her unorthodox lifestyle may not be understood by many, she is fearless in her quest to claim what’s rightfully hers.

Emily Thabang Leeuw aka Big Mama

Emily Thabang Leeuw aka Big Mama in Shebeen Queens

Big Mama does not shy away from confrontation: she will take on anyone that stands between her and the success of her shebeen. Big Mama has a tumultuous relationship with her older children, who resent the shebeen and the environment it created for them to grow up in. Big Mama and her daughters are in court, defending themselves against a client who opened a case of physical violence against them. They stand to lose their trading licence if they are found guilty. 

Xoliswa Shwayimba

Xoliswa Shwayimba in Shebeen Queens

Xoliswa is the life of the party: she loves dancing and having fun, so if you spot her, she'll likely be on her feet grooving to amapiano. Xoliswa started off as a domestic worker but now runs Rama Tavern and provides for her four siblings. Although Xoliswa and her fiancé Joshua Mtshali don't have children together, they have five children between them. Xoliswa wants Mtshali to set a date for their white wedding, give her a big gold ring, and divorce his first two wives so they do not interfere in her inheriting the shebeen.

Join the conversation: #ShebeenQueens 

Share:

More like this

Married at First Sight S2 on Showmax

Married at First Sight's Bongani on Portia, therapy and more

Bongani reflects on his journey on Married at First Sight Season 2. Catch new episodes every Sunday on Mzansi Magic and Showmax.

South Africa
Nerens Noord Kaap S2 is on Showmax

Nêrens, Noord-Kaap S1-2

When three estranged brothers reunite, secrets, heartbreak and the truth surrounding their mother’s death threaten the path to redemption.

Made in South Africa
Youngins S3 on Showmax

Lebohang Lephatsoana on Tumelo’s journey in Youngins

Rising star Lebohang Lephatsoana delves into Tumelo's turbulent journey in Youngins Season 3, premiering on Showmax on Friday, 19 September 2025.

Original South Africa
2025 Primetime Emmys winners on Showmax

Stream the biggest 2025 Emmy winners on Showmax

The Pitt, Hacks and Somebody Somewhere are among the stand-outs of the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards - all available to stream on Showmax.

Laugh Africa Comedy Festival on Showmax

Binge-watch The Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, featuring Celeste Ntuli and more

Catch Celeste Ntuli alongside top-tier and rising comedians delivering standout performances in The Laugh Africa Comedy Festival Season 2 on Showmax.

FirstMade in South Africa
Reenboogrant is on Showmax

Ace your Matric exams with 10 Afrikaans series and movies

Looking for the less-sweat, more-fun way to study? Brush up your Afrikaans before exam time with these shows and movies.

Made in South Africa
Chicago Fire S13 on Showmax

Chicago Fire S13

Scorching hot drama that follows a group of dedicated firefighters in Chicago. House MD's Jesse Spencer stars.

Landman S1 on Showmax

Landman S1

Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone) creates this enthralling Billy Bob Thornton lead drama set in the heart of Texas. Roughnecks and billionaires collide as everyone tries to get rich quick in the oil industry.

Laugh Africa Comedy Festival S2 on Showmax

Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax