Noma Mngoma, Sonia Booth, Dawn Thandeka King and Nonku Williams share their divorce stories
Showmax has introduced a new show called Untied to tell divorce stories of public figures.
The show features actresses, businesswomen and media personalities, including Norma Mngoma, Nonku Williams and Dawn Thandeka King.
Untied will be hosted by media personality Relebogile Mabotja. It premieres on 24 June on Showmax.
Eight famous women are set to open up and become vulnerable as they share their divorce stories in a new show presented by media personality Relebogile Mabotja. Making the list are reality TV stars, businesswomen, broadcasters and actresses.
The Showmax original by GOAT Productions, which also produced Unfollowed and The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip—South Africa, will have the featured women dive deep into their divorce stories and life after divorce.
Untied promises to tackle the uncomfortable yet honest truths behind the women's stories while also opening up the floor to truth-telling, vulnerability and healing. The women will let viewers in on their stories, including tales of infidelity, abuse, depression, family conflict, grief, survival, and ultimately, rebirth.
The first episode will feature Norma Mngoma, who is the ex-wife of politician Malusi Gigaba. Their fallout was witnessed through social media and mainstream media, with Malusi's cheating ways being exposed and Mngoma being arrested by the Hawks in July 2020 on charges of malicious damage to property and crimen injuria.
The charges were withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in 2021, citing that her arrest was unlawful.
More episodes will feature reality stars Beverly Steyn and Nonku Williams, actresses Dawn Thandeka King, Mona Monyane and Palesa Madisakwane, media personality Zandi Nhlapo, and model and social entrepreneur Sonia Booth, whose fallout with ex-husband, retired football star Matthew Booth was witnessed in real time on social media.
The multi-award-winning Mabotja, who will also be taking up the associate producer role, said she first pitched for the show through her production company, Lebotja Media, but she did not get it. However, the universe aligned, she said, as she added that she was happy to be brought in as the host.
Mabotja has built a name and cemented herself in the entertainment industry as an actress on shows such as Zone 14, Generations, Rhythm City and Isidingo, just to name a few. She currently hosts 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja and Unpacked with Relebogile Mabotja on S3 and has a podcast called The Relebogile Mabotja Podcast on YouTube.
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Mabotja is also a producer behind huge shows like Miss South Africa, the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), musician Tyla's Showmax Homecoming Concert and the upcoming Shaka Ilembe season 2 Gold Carpet Experience.
The media personality shared that some moments were too painful to process in real time.
'There's a moment that absolutely broke me. It was a story of losing a child. As a mother, I couldn't hold back the tears. We've been raised to see a woman's value in whether she can attract and keep a man. Untied challenges that idea,' said Mabotja.
She added:
I don't think there's a single episode where I was not shocked or moved just by the details and what some of these women have not just been through but have also overcome. My face completely gives me away. I hope viewers walk away more empathetic. Not just to the women on this show, but to their partners, their friends, their sisters, and most importantly, to themselves.
Mabotja said she was intentional about ensuring the show does not slip into gossip. She said she created a space for the woman to be vulnerable. She added that she also kept things respectful, considerate and mindful at all times.
Showmax has released the trailer, and viewers seem to be looking forward to it, while others suggest that even the men must be called for their side of the story.
Untied is set to drop its first episode on Showmax on Tuesday, 24 June.
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