The Real Housewives of Johannesburg
The Real Housewives of Johannesburg (abbreviated RHOJ) is a South African reality television series that premiered on 3 August 2018, on M-Net's rebranded channel, 1Magic.
| The Real Housewives of Johannesburg | |
|---|---|
 (from left to right) Merriweather, Mophatlane, Mathatho, Kay, Seopela and Mokoena. | |
| Genre | Reality Television |
| Based on | The Real Housewives |
| Presented by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Original languages | English, Xhosa, tswana |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 28[1] |
| Production | |
| Executive producer |
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| Production locations | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Camera setup | Multiple |
| Running time | ~45 minutes |
| Production company | RHOSA (seasons 1–2) |
| Distributor | NBCUniversal International Television Production |
| Release | |
| Original network | 1Magic |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 3 August 2018 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | The Real Housewives of Durban |
| External links | |
| Website | |
The show is developed as an international instalment of the American The Real Housewives franchise and the first instalment of the franchise set in Africa. The Real Housewives of Johannesburg focuses on the personal and professional lives of several women living in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The current cast consists of original housewives Christall Kay and Brinnette Seopela, Lebo JoJo Mokoena, Lethabo Mathatho, Mpho Merriweather, Mpumi Mophatlane and Tarina Patel (all since season 2). Previously featured cast members include mother & daughter, Evodia & Mercy Mogase, Busisiwe "Lendy" Ter Mors and Naledi Willers.
Overview & casting
The Real Housewives of Johannesburg was first rumoured in 2014 to be produced by local company Tigere Media, however the production company had failed to get appropriate licensing rights - leading to a stall in production in mid-2015.[2] Another company, Bravoplex Media, took over production – repurposing some of the footage and reshooting with an added cast member to create the critically panned Divas of Jozi, which premiered on SABC3 in 2016.[3]
In January 2018, as part of M-Net's ongoing rebrand of their Vuzu Amp channel to 1Magic – it was announced that they had secured an official version of the Real Housewives franchise, to premiere within the year.[4]
In July 2018, the cast was announced to consist of six affluent women from the Johannesburg area; including mother & daughter Evodia & Mercy Mogase, aspiring pop-star Lydia Judith Kay, business owner Brinnette Seopela, law student and former Miss Botswana 2nd Princess Naledi Willers and golfer and socialite Busisiwe 'Lendy' Ter Mors.[5]
On November 23, 2018, the series was renewed for a second season.[6] On May 23, 2019, both mother and daughter, Evodia & Mercy Mogase, announced their departure from the show.[7] On September 18, 2019, the cast of the second season was announced, confirming the return of both Kay and Seopela, along with new wives, Lebo JoJo Mokoena, Lethabo Mathatho, Mpho Merriweather, Mpumi Mophatlane, and Tarina Patel. The second season premiered on October 18, 2019.[8]
In April 2021, it was revealed that production for the third season had been halted due to a physical altercation between Kay and Seopela.[9] On November 25, 2021, the third season was confirmed and will consist of fourteen episodes. The third season will premiere in April 2022.[10]
In June 2021, a property Tarina Patel resides in worth an estimated 12 million rand, in Sandton, Johannesburg, was seized by the National Prosecuting Authority, following the arrest of her husband, Iqbal Sharma. Husband denied bail and remains in custody.
On December 7, 2021, season one cast member Naledi Willers passed away at the age of 30 after suffering from breast cancer.[11] Willers’ funeral will be held on December 19, in Palapye, Botswana.
Timeline of housewives
| Housewives | Seasons | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| Christall Kay | Main | |
| Brinnette Seopela | Main | |
| Evodia Mogase | Main | |
| Mercy Mogase | Main | |
| Busisiwe "Lendy" Ter Mors | Main | |
| Naledi Willers | Main | |
| Lebo JoJo Mokoena | Main | |
| Lethabo "Lejoy" Mathatho | Main | |
| Mpho Merriweather | Main | |
| Mpumi Mophatlane | Main | |
| Tarina Patel | Main | |
| Friends of the housewives | ||
| Lerika Kleinhans | Recurring | Guest |
| Olwethu Leshabane | Recurring | |
| Bridgette Sutter | Recurring | |
Episodes For Rhoj
Season 1 Episode 1: Welcome to the Good Life
The six South African Jozi wives welcome people into their rich lives as first time African housewives Brinnette prepares for her traditional wedding as she struggles to invite her arch - enemy in the group Lydia meanwhile mother and daughter Evodia and Mercy shock Brinnette when Mercy wants vegan food at an African wedding as at the traditional wedding Lendy gets very furious with Lydia after an issue regarding outfits
Season 1 Episode 2: My Fair Ladies of Botswana
Naledi invites the girls to her hometown country Botswana for her mother's 50th birthday as Lydia’s lies about a private jet catch up with her as Evodia confronts her and when the ladies get to Botswana the class, lavishness and lifestyle they hoped and prepared for is completely the opposite as Lydia feels misunderstood by the girls
Season 1 Episode 3: Dinner from Hell
The girls come back from Botswana as Lydia prepares to host the wives at her house as more housewives try to mingle with each other Naledi invites her friend Lerika to join the girls at Lydia’s tea party at her mansion when she insults Evodia and Mercy about the bugs and untidiness at their home earlier in the day when she was hosted causing a lot of racial controversy
Season 2 Episode 1: Bye to be.
Brinnette and Lydia prepare for their divorces as they are the only ones who returned from the first season as the four new girls Mpumi, Lebo, Lethabo and Tarina gives us a look to their glamorous lives
Season 2 Episode 2: Friendships & Wives
Lethabo and Lebo try to navigate their friendship as the drama between Lebo's bestie might ruin their friendship and Lebo's birthday party as Mpumi considers acting
Season 2 Episode 3: Cape town breakdown
The girls take a weekend away in Cape town as Lydia becomes attached to Tarina and all fun ends when the girls confront Lydia which leads to a mighty breakdown
Season 2 Episode 4: No sip, No shade
Brinnette tries to get an understanding of Mpumi's mixed feelings towards her as Lebo looks to the last resort of her friendship with Lethabo and Lydia and Lethabo addresses her issue with Lydia and Brinnette becomes turned of by Lydia
Season 2 Episode 5: Liar, Liar pants on fire
Tarina invites the girls to her sendoff party as Lebo prepares for her husband's big event and Lethabo and Lydia’s beef cool down as Lydia shares her opinion on Brinnette’s ex marriage and Mpumi and Lebo confront Tarina about not inviting them to her sendoff party
Season 2 Episode 6: Miss breezy's thirsty
Lebo invites the girls to her 60s icon party as new girl Mpho joins the mix and while on a spa date Lethabo and Mpumi gossips about Brinnette's love life
Season 2 Episode 7: Durban July, here we come baby
The girls go to Durban for the durban July as Mpho finally get to meet the girls and at the actual Durban July event Brinnette and Lethabo have an heated altercation
Season 2 Episode 8: Blonde's & Billionaires
The girls rehash Brinnette and Lethabo's heated argument as Lydia plans her Blondes and Billionaires party and at the party Lethabo's love life becomes the topic as Lebo throughs shade
Season 2 Episode 9: Champagne on Chrissy baby
Sick Lethabo confronts Lydia about her love life being centre topic at her party as at Mpho's 40th Mpho's friend Bridgette and Lydia clash
Season 2 Episode 10: Champagne gate & dirvorcettes
The champagne saga continues as Mpumi opens up her home to the girls and Lydia becomes miss understood after the altercation with Bridgette and at the divorcette party Lydia and Bridgette give each other the cold shoulder
Season 2 Episode 11: Can it be squashed
Tarina invites the girls to her music video shooting as he Brinnette's birthday comes up the girls think of a way where they could squash the beef and Lethabo hosts the girls to her house but Lebo becomes furious with Mpumi
Season 2 Episode 12: Limpopo girls trip + Reunion part 1
The girls go on a girls trip to Limpopo without Mpho as Lebo and Lethabo have a heated argument and the girls explore Limpopo with sick Lethabo and at the Reunion host Phat Joe tries to get to the bottom of the Brinnette rumours as Brinnette and Lydia clash
Season 2 Episode 13: Reunion part 2
Brinnette confronts Mpumi and Lethabo with the rumours as Mpumi claps back as Bridgette comes out to set the record straight which sets Lydia on fire
Season 2 Episode 14: Reunion part 3
Mpumi and Brinnette clash over cheating rumours as the reunion continues without Tarina and Lethabo discuss her issue with Brinnette and Lebo and Brinnette clash as the girls rehash on their trips and phat Joe's asks the girls about the season and who might return for season 3
Broadcast
In South Africa, the first season began airing episodes on 1Magic on 3 August 2018. The second season premiered on 18 October 2019.
The show also airs on Media24's Honey on 10 May 2021.
References
- "ITVBe revisits Cheshire's Housewives". C21media.
- "Real Housewives become Divas of Jozi | News". TVSA. 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
- "Divas of Jozi: the reviews are in and they're B.A.D. - SABC3 - TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za.
- "A South African version of The Real Housewives finally coming to DStv".
- "Real Housewives of Johannesburg". 1Magic - Real Housewives of Johannesburg.
- "Fake Boobs Bounce Back". TVSA - The Real housewives of Johannesburg.
- "Mercy Mogase Officially Confirms She's Leaving The Real Housewives Of Johannesburg!". iRealHousewives.
- "Real Housewives of Johannesburg Return With A New Season!". 1Magic - The Real housewives of Johannesburg.
- "Season 3 of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg 'discontinued at this time'". Channel 24.
- "MultiChoice Showcase 2021: Local stories, global appeal – international success!" (PDF). MultiChoice.
- Barr, Sabrina (2021-12-08). "Real Housewives of Johannesburg star Naledi Willers dies aged 30". Metro. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
- "Real Housewives of Johannesburg | Arena on Foxtel". Arena. 2019-07-04. Retrieved 2019-10-04.