Mzansi monarchs
Five women from different walks of life come together to redefine queendom for Mzansi.
The Queens Of Mzansi
Season 1 Mondays SABC 1 (*191) 21:00
Reality TV wives know how to keep viewers tuned in. From the sisterhood, to the catfights, it’s all good when you’re watching the women stars. And now there’s a brandnew local series stirring drama – The Queens Of Mzansi (TQOM). It follows five single women of different ages and from different walks of life within the entertainment and media industry.
From gender-based violence and divorce, to financial difficulties and life as a widow, nothing is off limits. “The Queens Of Mzansi is the antithesis of Real Housewives franchise,” says Samkelisiwe Samke Mhlongo. “The show is everything people have been praying to see about women. Our identity isn’t from being someone’s wife, it’s from being ourselves.”
THE REAL IN REALITY TV
Unlike many reality TV shows filled with glitz and glamour, TQOM peels away the façade and brings rawness. “I speak about how I was broke and how I am rebuilding,” says Samkelisiwe. “We are queens because we’ve fought battles that would kill others, not because we have a lot of money and live in fabulous houses.” The cast show viewers how they’ve survived traumas in their lives, like Lucky Mthembu who came out of an abusive relationship in 2015. “Viewers will understand how I got out of something that almost broke me,” says Lucky. “My ex continued to hunt me for four years and I had to go into hiding. I couldn’t live my life.”
A STORY OF HOPE
The Queens hope that their show will inspire young women to keep going in the face of life’s struggles. “I fought until the end and I hope women understand that they are capable too,” says Lucky. “I feel like this is a full circle moment, from being Miss SA Teen first princess (2009) to now being part of a show titled TQOM. I want viewers to see us as a beacon of strength and resilience and that they are strong too.”
DRAMA? OF COURSE!
But what is a reality show without the drama? With the women all being of different age groups, there’s bound to be a lot of spice and shade being thrown. “I knew if I was going to be on this show and in the public eye that
I needed to take a stand, be consistent and honest about what I am feeling on the show,” says Samkelisiwe. “I don’t hold back. I don’t take anything lying down.” She adds, “When people see strong women they want to see if they can tear them down and I did not give anyone that opportunity. I will not let anyone take me down again.”
INTRODUCING…
Not sure who you’re seeing on TQOM? Here’s a quick meet and greet with The Queens…
• Samkelisiwe is a 35-year-old mother of two who worked in finance. She’s also the author of empowerment book Ringfence that was published in 2021.
• Lucky is a 31-year-old mother and was crowned Miss SA Teen’s first princess in 2009. She is currently rebuilding her modelling and acting career as well as her NGO. Her second name Unganqotshwa means “Do not be conquered in life”.
• Paloma Lolo Mlunjwana is a 35-yearold Zimbabwean socialite who loves to jetset all over the globe. She is sexually liberated and is open about her love for men who can provide for her.
• Siphelele Petunia Makhanya is a 38-yearold widow and mother who hails from KwaZulu Natal.
• Ntombifuthi Mthembu is the oldest in the group and a mom of two. She’s a businesswoman and is the founder of ArmsNelly construction.