He was willing to give Young, Famous & African a try, which premiered on Netflix on March 18. After all, it's a streaming service original reality show, it's set in Africa, and the premise seemed fun. Follow a group of A-list African stars and media moguls as they search for love, build their careers, and enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
But the characters' constant flaunting of wealth, among many other annoyances, grated on my nerves. Does South African actress Khanyi Mbau really wake up to someone playing the Godfather theme song on the piano every morning? Does Tanzanian musician and entrepreneur Diamond Platinumz really take a private jet every time he flies the 5 hours to Johannesburg, South Africa?
Stars: Nubel Feliz Yan, Diamond Platnumz, Khanyi Mbau
The pan-African cast comes mainly from the entertainment industry. In addition to Khanyi and Diamond Platinumz, the show features Ugandan socialite and businesswoman Zari Hassan; South African-born rapper from Zimbabwe, Nadia Nakai; and Nigerian actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia and her husband, R&B megastar musician Innocent "2Baba" Idibia, among others.
Speaking of 2Baba, he's too accomplished to be in this series. At 46, he is one of Nigeria's biggest music exports and has been active on the music scene since 1994. He has recorded several albums, has his own record label and is a regional ambassador for UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.
2Baba's seat should have been awarded to an up-and-coming influencer instead, perhaps someone making a positive change in Africa. Like Babatunde Onakoya, the Nigerian chess coach and founder of Chess in Slums, a program that teaches the game of chess to poor and underprivileged children in slums across the country. Or Vanessa Nakate, a climate justice activist from Uganda. According to the UN, she spearheaded a campaign to save Congo's rainforest, which is facing massive deforestation, and she is working on a project to install solar panels on Ugandan schools. She is a young leader for the UN Sustainable Development Goals and has spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos, among other global events.
There was so much gossip and bickering on the show that I felt like I was watching The Real Housewives of Johannesburg. In the first episode, rapper Nadia accuses Khanyi of choosing a "settler"-like venue for her next dance. And in episode 4, Zari talks about her previous relationship with 2Baba in front of Annie... at a party to celebrate Annie and 2Baba renewing their wedding vows.
Instead, the show's producers should have focused on the ubuntu spirit of Africa. It's a treasured Bantu word that roughly translates to "unity," an idea that community matters more than oneself. And it is a value that many Africans appreciate. Episode 6 was the perfect opportunity to show that. Zari invited the entire cast to take a trip on South Africa's luxurious Blue Train, but the members kept arguing and split into two factions. Nigerian celebrity hairstylist Swanky Jerry tried to step in and get everyone to make up, but he ended up yelling and making even more drama.
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