Radio and television news anchor Thembekile Mrototo hosts Unfollowed, a Showmax Original docu-series
27 July 2023

Unfollowed, hosted by Thembekile Mrototo, puts social media on trial

Showmax has just dropped an explosive first trailer for Unfollowed, a documentary series that unpacks the growing phenomenon of cancel culture and its impact in South Africa. 

Hosted by radio and television news anchor Thembekile Mrototo, each episode of Unfollowed will focus on a different South African celebrity. 

The Showmax Original, which premieres on 23 August 2023, will start with singer Lady Zamar. In 2017, Lady Zamar opened a case of rape against Sjava, who maintained his innocence. The National Prosecuting Authority declined to prosecute, citing insufficient evidence. In the first episode of Unfollowed, Lady Zamar will reflect on everything that happened, as well as the continuous backlash she still receives on social media. Journalists, activists and legal experts will also weigh in. 

Nomsa Philiso, CEO of MultiChoice's general entertainment division, describes Unfollowed as an opportunity for us to reflect on cancel culture and its place in pop culture - a chance to interrogate whether it’s the best way to deal with people who have been deemed problematic. The show interviews public figures who were cancelled on social media and lets the viewer decide if the treatment in each case was deserved.

In addition to Lady Zamar, presenter and musician Jub Jub, influencer Mihlali, presenter Nonhle Thema, poet and musician Ntsiki Mazwai, media personality Phat Joe, comedian Tol Ass Mo, and actress Zoe Mthiyane will also give us their raw, first-hand takes on what it really means to have your reputation attacked and your career hanging in the balance. 

Watch the trailer for Unfollowed

Unfollowed is produced by G.O.A.T (Dineo's Diary and Life With Kelly Khumalo). "Social media can cultivate a culture of people coming together to shed light on an issue, hold people accountable and sometimes force brands or employees to take action,” says executive producer Graeme Swanepoel. “But Unfollowed also aims to give viewers the other side of the 'cancel culture' movement, and how damaging it can be. We want to spark a thought-provoking conversation and put social media on trial, not the people Thembekile is interviewing.”

Unfollowed starts streaming on Showmax from 23 August, with new episodes on Wednesdays.

More homegrown documentaries to stream online »

Share:

More like this

Unspoken War on Showmax

IdeaCandy docuseries Unspoken War looks to start a national conversation

Unspoken War lands on Showmax in full on 12 November 2025, and on M-Net weekly on Wednesdays from 12 November. Produced by iEmmy nominees IdeaCandy.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Young, Gifted and Queer on Showmax

Young, Gifted & Queer (2025)

This bold exploration of the lives of Black queer artists shaping Mzansi's cultural landscape is told through intimate and personal reflections.

Made in South Africa
Slay Queens on Showmax

Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

Watch the explosive trailer for Slay Queens, a Showmax Original docuseries about women chasing the soft life. Streaming from 31 October, new episodes every Friday.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Seen and Heard documentary on Showmax

Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television

Take a journey through TV history, exploring Black representation, from early on-screen appearances to modern creators, revolutionising the industry.

First
Catch all five episodes of the first season of Giants on Showmax now!

Giants S1

A compelling docuseries that takes you deep inside the lives of players from one of South Africa's most iconic football clubs, Orlando Pirates.

Made in South Africa
Catch all five episodes of Giants on Showmax now!

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

You can now binge-watch all five episodes of Giants, which takes an unprecedented look behind the scenes of a legendary football club: Orlando Pirates

Made in South Africa
Flight 149: Hostage of War is on Showmax

Flight 149: Hostage of War (2025)

When Flight 149 landed in Kuwait, its passengers became pawns in Saddam's invasion, held as human shields. Decades later, survivors seek justice and the truth.

First
Tracking Thabo Bester on Showmax

Tracking Thabo Bester

A documentary about the convicted murderer and rapist who faked his own death. All episodes are on Showmax.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Binge-watch all episodes of Imibuzo S1

Rosemary's Hitlist: A timeline of killings

Latest Stories

Bafana Bafana live on Showmax Premier League

Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe

Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League

Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight's Portia Baloyi on the reunion and her ex

Slay Queens on Showmax

Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

Catch the fiery battle between Chelsea and Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League

The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Relebogile Mabotja to host the two-hour Married at First Sight reunion special

Chasing the Sun 2 on Showmax

South Africa in third place at International Emmys, with four MultiChoice nominations

A still from Finding Optel showing Claire looking through binoculars

What to watch on Showmax in October 2025

Catch Newcastle v Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League on Sunday, 28 September at 17:30

The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight: Themba on his "stunning" wife Nelisa

Thelma on Showmax

June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma

Catch the blockbuster Premier League weekend live on Showmax Premier League.

Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Gerard Butler as 'Big Nick' O'Brien and O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Donnie Wilson in Den of Thieves 2: Panthera. Photo Credit: Rico Torres.

Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

Lunathi Mampofu in Levels Season 1 on Mzansi Magic

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax

Catch the London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham live on Showmax Premier League.

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

Catch the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, live on Showmax Premier League.

Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running

Catch the Manchester Derby live on Showmax Premier League.

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

The Brutalist on Showmax

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist

Catch all five episodes of Giants on Showmax now!

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

Vaal Riviera is on Showmax

Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window

Finding Optel on Showmax

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival

Youngins S3 on Showmax

Simo Magwaza on his challenging role as De Klerk in Youngins