by Thinus Ferreira
The Real Housewives of Gqeberha starting tonight on 1Magic (DStv 103) at 20:30 promises explosive fights between the women but also more humour than some of the other versions and tears flowing in the first episode - with one of the housewives underscoring the drama that's going to be dished up, saying "if you put five queens in one room, there's going to be fireworks".
The GOAT Original with Jemma Ford as showrunner, was largely filmed over the past year in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, and across the Eastern Cape province as the latest South African version of the NBCUniversal Formats franchise.
As to the decision to do a version also set in Gqeberha, Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, who spoke at the show's media launch on Thursday night in the city, says "it was a no-brainer".
"We have so many other franchises of The Real Housewives, yet because we're so diverse as a country and a continent, there are many spaces that our audience don't get to see and each province has its own nuances, its own cultural differences, it's own unique flavour so to speak."
"So you can't compare The Real Housewives of Johannesburg to The Real Housewives of Durban - it's a totally different flavour."
"We really felt as M-Net we would love to explore this part of the world - it's beautiful the scenery, the culture. It's just been an amazing adventure to just find these ladies, find their stories. We really didn't want anything fake about it."
About criticism that there are now too many The Real Housewives versions in South Africa and across the continent, Shirley Adonisi says "I don't think too many are ever a bad thing. I think we've all been in a space where we didn't have choice. I think Covid had taught us that where we had no choice but to stay home".
"I think as MultiChoice, as a company that has productions all across Africa, our aim is actually to expose as many corners of our continent as possible to people. When we find a format that we believe works for this space, why not?"
"I think the beauty is that you have a choice as the viewer. You can choose which franchise is your favourite. From our end, our aim is to entertain and in a way educate. You see the glitz and the glamour but then you also see that they are real people."
"They are mothers, they are wives. They cry, they fight, they are honest with each other. And how brave you have to be to be authentic, but also the power of sisterhood."
Jemma Ford says the selection process to find and cast the women started in December 2021. She says viewers can expect "spice"."There's a lot of spice, coupled with humour".
Salon owner Unathi Faku, and wife of the city's former mayor, says "what happened between us I didn't expect. You have to watch and see. I was so surprised".
Socialite Liz Prins says "I have met a wonderful person on this show - an awesome, awesome friend that I think will be a friend for me for life. I didn't come into the show expecting to make friends. I know what the show is about, I know that the ladies don't really like each other. But I've met someone and she's classy and beautiful."
"And they deserve each other," quips businesswoman Buli G Ngomane. She adds: "Regardless of what happens in terms of action and drama, it is important that women are showcased in all of their fabulousness, at every turn, in every way - regardless of whether we get along or not".
Events planner at the Nelson Mandela stadium, Norma Nicol says "if you put five queens in one room, there's going to be fireworks. And then it always ends up with who's left standing".
