Casts of Mzansi Magic's Becoming and SABC1's The Queens of Mzansi canned without warning or being told.

by Thinus Ferreira

The casts of the transgender reality series Becoming on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and reality show The Queens of Mzansi on SABC1 have reportedly been dumped and replaced without them being told by the productions they appear in.

City Press reports that the cast of Becoming, produced by Connect TV's Basetsana Kumalo and Kopano Gelman, had no idea and got no warning that they were being jettisoned and are getting replaced. 

Becoming featured Yaya Mavundla, Gugu Kumalo and Ramazon Ngobese, with two of them who heard the news when the newspaper told them.

Kopano Gelman declined to comment and directed media queries to Mzansi Magic. Mzansi Magic publicist Irvin Pooe asked that questions be emailed to him but didn't respond by the time the City Press report was published.

Meanwhile SABC1 has allegedly decided to can the broadcast of reality show The Queens of Mzansi, after only broadcasting 10 of the 26 episodes which were filmed, although the SABC says it only bought 10 episodes.

The Queens of Mzansi had Paloma "Lolo" Mlunjwana, former Miss SA Teen Lucky Mthembu, Siphelele Petunia Makhaya, Ntombifuthi Mthembu, and Samkelisiwe Mhlongo in the cast.

Cast members told Zimoja the problems with The Queens of Mzansi started in October after they complained about not being paid on time. 

"Our problems began in October when we raised issues with payment. We were not paid on time and when we complained about our payments we became bad people. They were supposed to inform us that they are cancelling than having to just dump us just like that," one of the cast reportedly said.

The SABC in a statement said that The Queens of Mzansi was only commissioned for 10 episodes.

"The SABC can confirm that Kinsman Redeemer Productions was contracted for the licence of 10 episodes of The Queens of Mzansi. The SABC is not in anyway involved in the talent acquisition process of licensed programmes."

"The SABC can further confirm that all 10 episodes of The Queens of Mzansi were broadcast and the contract therefore reached its full term."

New 13-episode series Becoming on Mzansi Magic to follow the challenging lives of 4 transgender South Africans from 7 April.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net has filmed a new 13-episode gender transformation reality series, Becoming for Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) that will be taking viewers inside the various first-person journeys that transgender South Africans go through in the process of changing to the gender that they identify with.

Becoming, produced by Connect TV, will debut on Mzansi Magic on 7 April at 20:00 with half-hour episodes.

Becoming will follow the lives of 4 trans people - Gina Sokoyi who died in late-2020 during the filming of the series, as well as Ramazan Ngobese, Yaya Mavundla and Gugu Kumalo as they face obstacles and various challenges, and will explore the psyche of transgender people as well as the barriers they need to overcome in order to live as their true selves.

Gina Sokoyi was a resident of Welkom in the Free State and worked as a junior lecturer at the Central University of Technology whilst studying towards a master’s degree in language practice.

Yaya Mavundla

Ramazan Ngobese

Gugu Kumalo

"The most compelling aspect about our content offering is that we give viewers content that is relevant to their lived experiences," says Nomsa Philiso, the director of local entertainment channels at M-Net.

"Our reality shows have grown in popularity over the past few years and this compelling series will not only entertain, it will inform and educate. It will hopefully help viewers understand how trans South Africans navigate through prejudice in their respective communities," she says.

Gina Sokoyi was a resident of Welkom in the Free State and worked as a junior lecturer at the Central University of Technology whilst studying towards a master’s degree in language practice.

"Viewers should expect an honest and heartfelt show that will reveal all aspects of gender transformation – from taking a closer look at psychological impact and gender dysmorphia, to hormonal changes and the emotional impact on each individual," Mzansi Magic says.