The Real Housewives of Durban now coming first and exclusive to Showmax

RHOD replaces the Showmax Original reality series Uthando Lodumo, about Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha’s traditional and white weddings, which has been delayed by Covid-19 until weddings are possible again.

RHOD is the 24th international - and second South African - instalment of The Real Housewives franchise, which is distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group. The new show is set to build on the popularity of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, which was one of the 10 most streamed local series on Showmax in 2019.

Of course, ‘housewives’ is used loosely here: while lavish lifestyles, high fashion and parenting challenges will certainly be on the RHOD menu, these Ethekwini queens have their own business empires too. Nonkanyiso Conco owns beauty brand Laconco Naturals; Ayanda Ncwane is CEO of Ncwane Communications and president of The Africa Gospel Awards; Sorisha Naidoo, a former Miss India South Africa, imports around 25 beauty products through her company SSBO; Kgomotso Ndungane owns an events and floral business called Oak Celebrations and recently launched her own luxury home, body and bath product line, Lelapa; Nonku Williams is founder of Ashes to Beauty Winery and has business interests in construction; and Annie Ludick owns Durban’s luxury beauty salon Annaesthetic, as well as an events and marketing company and a dance agency.

Conco is the bride of former President Jacob Zuma; Ncwane is the widow of gospel legend Sfiso; Naidoo is the wife of billionaire businessman Vivian Reddy; Ndungane is married to former Springbok Odwa; Ludick is planning her white wedding to Durban businessman Kgolo Mthembu in April; and Williams is a divorced mom of three.

“The Real Housewives of Durban is going to feel like Kwa Mam’Mkhize to the power of six,” says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice Group CEO for General Entertainment and Connected Video. “We know 1Magic viewers were looking forward to this, so the late schedule change was a difficult call to make. We encourage 1Magic viewers who’re not Showmax subscribers yet to sign up to not miss out; there’s a 14-day free trial, subscribers who have DStv Compact get Showmax for R49, and it’s free for Premium viewers.”

Valen’tino Mathibela (Lebo M - Coming Home, The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, Survivor SA, The Voice SA) is directing, with Let It Rain Films producing and Lee Doig creative directing. Doig won an Emmy for his cinematography on Survivor USA and has earned another nine nominations for his work across 34 seasons of the hit show.

RHOD will be available in more than 40 African countries, taking the sassiness, spice and saltiness of Durban to the continent.

“We believe Showmax is a powerful platform for sharing African stories,” says Phahle. “So we’re thrilled that The Real Housewives of Durban will be available across the continent.”

RHOD comes first to Showmax on 29 January 2021, with new episodes following every Friday.

In the meantime, rewatch Seasons one and two of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg on Showmax here.

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