To be honest, I rarely watch locally produced drama series or soapies because let’s be honest, some of them are REALLY badly done……..in all ways, on all fronts. The afternoon kicked off with a little speed dating with the full cast of the show (yes, I said speed dating) and we then got a sneak peak of the upcoming season. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised!!
Cast members Rorisang Thandekiso, Schelaine Bennett and Noxie Maqashalala (bottom left photo)
I had never watched the show before and after the screening of episode 1 of this season, I was intrigued, excited and quite impressed. The show is set at the Kgosi Advertising Agency and will follow the lives of all who work there as they try and navigate through the various relationships, both romantic and platonic, that develop.
The casting is great and Khanyi especially impressed me with her acting chops! After my chat with Miss Bbau, I have decided that she could possibly be one of the most misunderstood celebrities in SA.
Don’t be shocked, but we started chatting about Survivor.
I swear I am going to start a board game called “six degrees of Survivor”. It is shocking to me how many people that I have met recently have somehow been connected to that crazy show! I shared my season of Survivor SA with Khanyi’s nephew, Mandla Mbau (he came 4
th in my season) and we both agreed that Mandla is one of the nicest guys you ever could meet. But here’s the real scoop!
Pictured here with Khanyi Mbau
Khanyi was supposed to be on season 3 of Survivor. The night before she was meant to leave for the island, she got “cold feet” so to speak, like a Runaway Bride. She called the producers of the show and backed out. Of course I had to ask why! You guys are thinking that she was too pretentious maybe for island life, right? Well no, her answer was actually quite insightful. She said frankly that she was not emotionally prepared for that experience because she was uncomfortable in her own skin at the time.
The press created an unflattering image of her which she admits she contributed to by purporting a superficial and materialistic public personality. Nobody knew the pain she was enduring from her failed marriage at such a young age and the emotional scars that journey branded her with. So basically homegirl needed to get herself together before she could be dumped on any island. Who knew??
Today Khanyi says she would be in a better position (emotionally) to deal with participating in something like Survivor SA and she would jump at the chance. She knows who she is now and she has never been happier!! She’s in love and her career is in a more positive space. So, good for you honey!
Another actress on the show, Schelaine Bennett (pictured earlier) was also quite close to competing on Survivor! She made the top 30 for season 3 but was beaten out by Roxy Burger and Sade Gilbert. After “speed dating” with Schelaine, I have to say that she would have been great on Survivor so maybe the tribe will speak and we will see her compete in the future.
Overall, my opinion is that this is a local show that I would encourage everyone to sink their teeth into. Let’s see where the season will take us!! Make sure you check out the TVSA Show Page added for Mzansi Love. The 3
rd season premiers on etv June 24
th (tonight!!) at 8:30pm.
Make sure you also check out my Instagram page. I’ll be uploading video footage from that one time where I was playing Alicia Keys on the piano and Khanyi and the rest of the cast were jammin’ with me. Good times!
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