MultiChoice's Showmax on Temptation Island South Africa's diversity question: 'Participants on the show reflect the applications we received'.

by Thinus Ferreira

The upcoming Temptation Island South Africa is the next reality show from MultiChoice that appears to suffer from problematic casting, with Showmax saying that the apparent lack of diversity in casting is because the participants in the show reflect the applications it received.

Temptation Island SA, produced by Afrokaans for MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service, starts on 26 August. 

Phat Joe is the host of Temptation Island SA, with four couples tempted in the local version of the Banijay-format reality show, by 10 single men and 10 single women.

Asked about the apparent lack of diversity in the cast of Temptation Island SA and for comment as to how the producers and Showmax decided who to include, Showmax, in a statement attributed to Candice Fangueiro, head of content for Showmax in Africa, says:

"We pride ourselves in reflecting diversity and inclusion for all our shows, including Temptation Island."

"The casting for all our shows are open to all race groups and demographics of South Africa. Although the participants on the show reflect the applications we received, Showmax shall always endeavour to be as inclusive as is reasonably possible."

Temptation Island SA follows 6 months after Love Island South Africa, produced by Rapid Blue, made its debut on M-Net (DStv 101).

Love Island SA immediately came under fire for its myriad production problems and production values, including the whitewashing of its cast and lack of diversity in casting.

MultiChoice is yet to explain what went wrong with Love Island SA, with M-Net that said in a statement that "You called us out on the lack of diversity and production quality in our first episode of Love Island SA. We're sorry - we didn't meet our usual standard on both counts."

Temptation Island SA was filmed in a Covid-19 production-safe bubble production in Knysna.

MultiChoice's Showmax video streamer picks up local reality format adaptation Temptation Island South Africa from Banijay for 12 episodes produced by Afrokaans.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa is getting Temptation Island South Africa with a new localised format adaptation of the show that has been picked up by MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service. 

Distributed by Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay, the Afrokaans production company will be producing Temptation Island SA as a Showmax Original series with 12 episodes.

Afrokaans is also producing Survivor South Africa for M-Net (DStv 101).

Temptation Island SA is expected to debut on Showmax in the first half of 2021.

In the reality show, several couples with rocky relationships agree to live with a group of singles, under the guide of "testing the strength of their relationships" although the relationships all basically finally implode.

"Temptation Island South Africa is going to be must-watch and must-tweet TV," says Candice Fangueiro, Showmax’s head of content.

"South Africans love reality TV; The Real Housewives of Durban recently set the record for the most first-day views on Showmax ever. Our audience has already devoured the first two seasons of Temptation Island USA so we’re confident there’s an appetite for more, especially when we add some uniquely South African spice," she says.