by Thinus Ferreira
M-Net has revealed a cast of 7 women who will be part of The Real Housewives of Cape Town which it is abbreviating as "RHOCT", with the show, produced by Trace Studios, which will start on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and not on MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax, on Sunday 10 July at 19:00.
The Real Housewives of Cape Town, also done according to the NBCUniversal Format franchise, will be the 17th international edition, and the 4th in Africa, following The Real Housewives of Durban, The Real Housewives of Johannesburg and The Real Housewives of Lagos.
Beverly Steyn, Rushda Moosajee, Loveline Abinokhauno, Thato Montse, Camilla McDowell, Kutazwa "Rooksy" Gqirana and Lulwando "Lue" Tukwayo are the seven women in Cape Town who are being filmed for The Real Housewives of Cape Town.
The franchise is distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
"We look forward to premiering this exciting new addition on Mzansi Magic, which will no doubt keep our audience hooked and will undoubtedly be of the premium quality our viewers have grown accustomed to," says Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, in a statement.
"This may be a global franchise, but our spin on it is very much South African. The storylines explored on the show, and the cast's lives are as authentic as they come. As a channel, keeping up with our viewers' tastes and preferences is important, and this is evidence of that."
Mzansi Magic released biographies for the seven women:
Beverley Steyn
Born and bred in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Beverley is an entrepreneur and businesswoman who moved to Cape Town five years ago. She describes herself as highly disciplined, passionate and creative.
A property owner and investor with interests in commercial, warehouse and residential property, she loves planes, yachts, fast cars and a luxury lifestyle. Designer labels are her weakness, and she collects diamonds, which are also her birthstone. Beverley believes that anything is possible in life and refuses to stand back for anyone.
Rushda Moosajee
Professionally and fondly known as RushTush, Rushda has an impressive social media presence and fitness empire – she has a global following of over 70 000 and almost 3 million impressions per week on Instagram alone.
She is a qualified personal trainer and online coach and is the mother of three boys. She is focused, passionate and incredibly ambitious. Always comfortable standing on her own, she doesn't need acceptance or validation from anyone as she follows her heart.
Rushda may be tiny and reserved and always selective about who she allows to get close, but she can pack a punch – in more than one way. In her own words: "I'm not one for drama, but I will always stand up for what is right."
Loveline Abinokhauno, aka Mrs Leo
A blogger and momfluencer who is also a successful entrepreneur (she owns a concierge and events company called La Prive Concierge & Events), Mrs Leo is also a proud wife of 14 years and mother to three girls and one boy.
Multifaceted, she has achieved a lot in her customer service career: she has worked as a recruitment consultant, personal assistant and social media manager and is always working on expanding her experience and qualifications.
Originally from North West, she is an advocate for sisterhood and uses her social media platform to connect with women across the globe.
Thato Montse
Entrepreneur, strategist, designer, thinker and wine connoisseur, Thato has a Garagiste winemaking diploma and is a member of BLACC – the Black Cellar Club.
Her love of wine led her to create her own brand, Thato Wines, which has just recently been picked up by the Spar franchise.
Thato's aim is to reposition wine as something to be appreciated and enjoyed by everyone – not just old, white men. She is on a mission to simplify the complicated world of wine and uses her knowledge to host a lifestyle series called Wine with Thato.
She describes herself as controversial, authentic, unfiltered, unapologetic, fun and explosive.
Camilla McDowell
Humanitarian, creative, vintage car collector, beekeeper, entrepreneur and public speaker, Camilla is family-focused and has earned her seat on the throne as The Queen of Constantia.
This flower fanatic and antique expert is highly adaptable and at home everywhere, from the luxury high-end designer stores to hidden gem local thrift shops. Camilla understands that there is more to opulence than just the price tag.
Making an unforgettable entrance at every social gathering she attends with her roaring vintage Rolls Royce Moonshadow, opulence and luxury seep through her veins, and she has nothing to prove to anyone.
Kutazwa "Rooksy" Gqirana
Born in Gqeberha and now a proud Capetonian, Rooksy describes herself as a go-getter and hustler.
When she sets her mind to something, she is sure to achieve that goal. Rooksy is a lover of beautiful things, especially interior decor. Through her company, Style Boutique SA, she sells the latest trends in fashion for both men and women. Rooksy is at home in the kitchen and loves baking and trying out new recipes. She would love to have her own cookbook one day.
A few words that Rooksy would choose to describe herself are enthusiastic, adventurous, dutiful, loyal, respectful, selfless and family-oriented.
Lulwando "'Lue" Tukwayo
The glamorous and stylish Lulwando is originally from Khayelitsha and is a property entrepreneur, digital creator and mom of three.
A qualified chartered accountant, she has a passion for working with community-based organisations that address issues of GBV and is the founder of an NGO called Wings to Learn.
Fun, free-spirited, and fiercely independent, she says: "I speak my mind. I can be misunderstood, but I've learned to embrace that."
