If you haven’t caught onto the South African reality TV wave, it’s understandable if you’ve felt a bit of FOMO. Every time a new episode of Life With Kelly trends, anybody would be curious enough to want to know more. Back in the day, if you missed a show on TV you’d be out of the loop entirely but with Showmax, thankfully, you always have an opportunity to catch up!
Whether you want to experience the fireworks from The Real Housewives of Durban one more time, or you think you’ll do your best not to laugh at Lebo’s antics in Lebo M: Coming Home (trust me, you’ll laugh!) – all of the country’s favourite reality shows are available for streaming at your leisure and the list of titles has never been juicier.
Here are 10 unmissable titles to check out in 2021.
Life With Kelly S2 – Showmax Original

Kelly Khumalo is back with a second season of her SAFTA-winning reality show and the stakes are even higher this time. Kelly is on the path to growth, physically, emotionally and spiritually too. As well as that, she’s not ruling out another shot at love!
Uthando Lodumo S1 – Showmax Original

The three-part Showmax Original reality series follows Bongekile Simelande and Mandla Maphumulo, better known as gqom superstars Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha, from a proposal live on Gagasi FM in October 2020 through marriage counselling, lobola negotiations, pregnancy and a suprise bridal shower all the way to their vibrant wedding in April 2021.
Pastor Wants A Wife S1

This is a dating show with a huge twist. We watch two pastors who are both looking for women to call their wives and their escapades see them moving through a series of challenges and tests until they find the one. You’ll immediately get why this show has managed to get the whole country talking!
Cheeky Palate S1

Phat Joe is back and the tongue-in-cheek presenter has another talk-worthy reality show: Cheeky Palate. The radio and TV vet invites guests to tackle the deepest issues affecting our country and, as you can expect with Phat Joe, nothing is off bounds!
Mnakwethu – Happily Ever After

If you enjoyed Mnakwethu, you will enjoy the Happily Ever After edition, which sees how our new polygamists are living ever since taking on another wife. It’s not always rosy!
Lebo M – Coming Home – Showmax Original

Mr Lion King himself shocked the nation when he announced the first season of his new Showmax Original reality show. Since then, he has proved himself to be a hilarious and entertaining reality star and his family provides the perfect supporting act.
Izangoma Zodumo

We never knew what we were missing until the day Izangoma Zodumo made its explosive TV debut. The show is now a must-watch for anybody keen to see another side of traditional healing.
I Blew It S3

Bigger amounts, bigger budgets and bigger blow-outs! That’s the only way to describe the latest edition of I Blew It. The stories of how this season’s guests lost their income will leave you with more questions than answers!
RHOD S1

Has there been a more game-changing reality show than this one? Ayanda, Nonku, Annie, Kgomotso, Sorisha and the infamous LaConco all form part of the country’s fiercest reality show cast and their debut season is filled with endless drama!
A Very Bonang Year

The two-part special follows SA’s biggest media personality, Bonang Matheba, on her global adventures as fans get a unique insight into what was Bonang’s most powerful year yet. In never-before-seen footage, we see Bonang as an entrepreneur making business decisions, with all the trials and tribulations of working with teams and business colleagues abroad.
Binge-watch all these local reality shows now streaming on Showmax.