The Real Housewives of Johannesburg

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg (abbreviated RHOJ) is a South African reality television series that premiered on M-Net's rebranded channel, 1Magic.

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg
GenreReality
Based onThe Real Housewives
Presented by
  • Moshe Ndiki (s. 1)
  • Phat Joe (s. 2)
  • MaBlerh (s. 3)
Starring
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languagesEnglish
Xhosa
Tswana
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes42[1]
Production
Executive producers
Production locationJohannesburg, South Africa
Camera setupMultiple
Running time~45 minutes
Production companiesRHOSA Productions (2018–2020)
Sonia Mbele Films (2023)
Original release
Network1Magic
Release3 August 2018 (2018-08-03) –
18 August 2023 (2023-08-18)
Related
The Real Housewives of Durban

Developed as an international installment of the American The Real Housewives franchise and the first installment of the franchise set in Africa. It has aired three seasons and focuses on the personal and professional lives of several women living in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The cast of the third and final season consisted of Mareli Bentley, Mamus Koka, Keabetswe Marema, Lethabo LeJoy Mathatho, Lebo JoJo Mokoena, Thobekile Mdlalose and Nicole Watson with Tarina Patel serving as a friend of the housewives. Previously featured cast members included original housewives Christall Kay, mother and daughter Evodia & Mercy Mogase, Brinnette Seopela, Naledi Willers, Busisiwe 'Lendy' ter Mors and Subsequent housewives Mpho Merriweather and Mpumi Mophatlane.

Overview and casting

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The Real Housewives of Johannesburg was first rumoured in 2014.[2] Another company took over production – repurposing some of the footage and reshooting with an added cast member to create the critically panned Divas of Jozi, which premiered on SABC3 in 2016.[3] In January 2018, as part of M-Net's ongoing rebrand of their Vuzu Amp channel to 1Magic – it was announced that they had secured an official version of the Real Housewives franchise, to premiere within the year.[4]

On December 7, 2021, original cast-member Naledi Willers died at the age of 30 after suffering from breast cancer.[5]

Season 1

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In July 2018, the season one cast was announced.[6] The first season premiered on August 3, 2018, with Christall Kay, mother and daughter Evodia & Mercy Mogase, Brinnette Seopela, Naledi Willers, and Busisiwe 'Lendy' ter Mors joining the cast.[6]

In May 2019, both mother and daughter, Evodia & Mercy Mogase, announced their departure from the show.[7]

Season 2

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In November 2018, the series was renewed for a second season.[8]

On September 18, 2019, the cast of the second season was announced.[9] The second season premiered on October 18, 2019, with Lebo JoJo Mokoena, Lethabo Mathatho, Mpho Merriweather, Mpumi Mophatlane and Tarina Patel joining Christall Kay and Brinnette Seopela.[9]

Season 3

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In April 2021, it was revealed that production for the third season had been halted due to a physical altercation between Christall Kay and Brinnette Seopela.[10]

In November 2022, it was confirmed the series would return in 2023.[11] The third season premiered on May 19, 2023, with Mokoena and Mathatho reprising their roles, alongside new additions Mamus Koka, Keabetswe Marema, Thobekile Mdlalose, Nicole Watson, and Marelli Bentley (who joined the cast in episode 6).[12]

In May 2024, the series was put on a permanent hiatus ahead of season 4.[13]

Cast

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Timeline of housewives

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Housewives Seasons
1 2 3 4
Christall Kay Main Does not appear Main
Brinnette Seopela Main Does not appear
Evodia Mogase Main Does not appear
Mercy Mogase Main Does not appear
Busisiwe 'Lendy' Ter Mors Main Does not appear
Naledi Willers Main Does not appear
Tarina Patel Does not appear Main Friend Main
Mpumi Mophatlane Does not appear Main Does not appear Friend
Lebo JoJo Mokoena Does not appear Main Does not appear
Lethabo LeJoy Mathatho Does not appear Main Does not appear
Mpho Merriweather Does not appear Main Does not appear
Mareli Bentley Does not appear Main
Mamus Koka Does not appear Main Does not appear
Keabetswe Marema Does not appear Main Does not appear
Thobekile Mdlalose  Does not appear Main Does not appear
Nicole Lee Watson Does not appear Main Guest
Lerika Kleinhans Friend Guest Does not appear Main
Samantha Ruling Does not appear Guest Does not appear Main
Friends of the housewives
Olwethu Leshabane Friend Does not appear
Nthabiseng "Chef Nti" Ramaboa Friend Does not appear
Bridgette Sutter Does not appear Friend Does not appear Friend

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
114August 3, 2018 (2018-08-03)October 26, 2018 (2018-10-26)
214October 18, 2019 (2019-10-18)January 17, 2020 (2020-01-17)
314May 19, 2023 (2023-05-19)August 18, 2023 (2023-08-18)

Season 1 (2018)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
11"Welcome to the Good Life"3 August 2018 (2018-08-03)
The six South African Jozi wives welcome people into their rich lives as first time African housewives Brinnette prepares for her traditional wedding as she struggles to invite her arch - enemy in the group Christall meanwhile mother and daughter Evodia and Mercy shock Brinnette when Mercy wants vegan food at an African wedding as at the traditional wedding Lendy gets very furious with Christall after an issue regarding outfits.
22"The Real Private Jet"10 August 2018 (2018-08-10)
Naledi invites the girls to her hometown country Botswana for her mother's 50th birthday as Christall's lies about a private jet catch up with her as Evodia confronts her and when the ladies get to Botswana the class, lavishness and lifestyle they hoped and prepared for is completely the opposite as Christall feels misunderstood by the girls.
33"Dinner from Hell"17 August 2018 (2018-08-17)
The girls come back from Botswana as Christall prepares to host the wives at her house as more housewives try to mingle with each other Naledi invites her friend Lerika to join the girls at Christall's tea party at her mansion when she insults Evodia and Mercy about the bugs and untidiness at their home earlier in the day when she was hosted causing a lot of racial controversy.
44"Apology Gone Wrong"24 August 2018 (2018-08-24)
55"Vegan Fever"31 August 2018 (2018-08-31)
66"Fashion Show Disaster"7 September 2018 (2018-09-07)
77"Still Water Run Deep"14 September 2018 (2018-09-14)
88"The Bachelorette"21 September 2018 (2018-09-21)
99"Shopping Spree Showdown"28 September 2018 (2018-09-28)
1010"Haarties"5 October 2018 (2018-10-05)
1111"The Big Day"12 October 2018 (2018-10-12)
1212"Season Finale"19 October 2018 (2018-10-19)
1313"Reunion - Part 1"26 October 2018 (2018-10-26)
1414"Reunion - Part 2"26 October 2018 (2018-10-26)

Season 2 (2019-20)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
151"Bye to be"18 October 2019 (2019-10-18)
Brinnette and Christall prepare for their divorces as they are the only ones who returned from the first season as the four new girls Mpumi, Lebo, Lethabo and Tarina gives us a look to their glamorous lives.
162"Friendships & Wives"25 October 2019 (2019-10-25)
Lethabo and Lebo try to navigate their friendship as the drama between Lebo's bestie might ruin their friendship and Lebo's birthday party as Mpumi considers acting.
173"Cape Town Breakdown"1 November 2019 (2019-11-01)
The girls take a weekend away in Cape town as Christall becomes attached to Tarina and all fun ends when the girls confront Christall which leads to a mighty breakdown.
184"No Sip, No Shade"8 November 2019 (2019-11-08)
Brinnette tries to get an understanding of Mpumi's mixed feelings towards her as Lebo looks to the last resort of her friendship with Lethabo and Lydia and Lethabo addresses her issue with Christall and Brinnette becomes turned off by Christall.
195"Liar, Liar Pants on Fire"15 November 2019 (2019-11-15)
Tarina invites the girls to her sendoff party as Lebo prepares for her husband's big event and Lethabo and Christall's beef cool down as Christall shares her opinion on Brinnette's ex marriage and Mpumi and Lebo confront Tarina about not inviting them to her sendoff party.
206"Miss Breezy's Thirsty"22 November 2019 (2019-11-22)
Lebo invites the girls to her 60s icon party as new girl Mpho joins the mix and while on a spa date Lethabo and Mpumi gossips about Brinnette's love life.
217"Durban July, Here We Come Baby"29 November 2019 (2019-11-29)
The girls go to Durban for the durban July as Mpho finally get to meet the girls and at the actual Durban July event Brinnette and Lethabo have an heated altercation.
228"Blonde's & Billionaires"6 December 2019 (2019-12-06)
The girls rehash Brinnette and Lethabo's heated argument as Christall plans her Blondes and Billionaires party and at the party Lethabo's love life becomes the topic as Lebo throughs shade.
239"Champagne On Chrissy Baby"13 December 2019 (2019-12-13)
Sick Lethabo confronts Christall about her love life being centre topic at her party as at Mpho's 40th Mpho's friend Bridgette and Christall clash.
2410"Champagne Gate & Dirvorcettes"20 December 2019 (2019-12-20)
The champagne saga continues as Mpumi opens up her home to the girls and Christall becomes miss understood after the altercation with Bridgette and at the divorcette party Christall and Bridgette give each other the cold shoulder.
2511"Can It Be Squashed"27 December 2019 (2019-12-27)
Tarina invites the girls to her music video shooting as he Brinnette's birthday comes up the girls think of a way where they could squash the beef and Lethabo hosts the girls to her house but Lebo becomes furious with Mpumi.
2612"Limpopo Girls Trip & Reunion - Part 1"3 January 2020 (2020-01-03)
The girls go on a girls trip to Limpopo without Mpho as Lebo and Lethabo have a heated argument and the girls explore Limpopo with sick Lethabo and at the Reunion host Phat Joe tries to get to the bottom of the Brinnette rumours as Brinnette and Christall clash.
2713"Reunion - Part 2"10 January 2020 (2020-01-10)
Brinnette confronts Mpumi and Lethabo with the rumours as Mpumi claps back as Bridgette comes out to set the record straight which sets Christall on fire.
2814"Reunion - Part 3"17 January 2020 (2020-01-17)
Mpumi and Brinnette clash over cheating rumours as the reunion continues without Tarina and Lethabo discuss her issue with Brinnette and Lebo and Brinnette clash as the girls rehash on their trips and phat Joe's asks the girls about the season and who might return for season 3.

Season 3 (2023)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
291"Episode 1"19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
Nicole hosts a "Four Seasons" Flowetry get-together. All goes well until Nicole's friend, Leon, comes for everyone.
302"Episode 2"26 May 2023 (2023-05-26)
All hell breaks loose when Lethabo takes photos in Mamus's shoes during a photo shoot. Later, Leon sticks his nose into other people's business yet again.
313"Episode 3"2 June 2023 (2023-06-02)
There's a new troublemaker in town. Leon wants to set up an apology session between himself and Mamus. Lethabo arranges a "Bubbles, Burgers & Botox" event.
324"Episode 4"9 June 2023 (2023-06-09)
Lebo takes the ladies to Zambia, where they are given the royal treatment. While the ladies enjoy Zambia, Leon is not happy and threatens to leave. There's a visit to a traditional healer.
335"Episode 5"16 June 2023 (2023-06-16)
The ladies haven't fully unpacked when Lethabo must leave abruptly. Thobekile takes the ladies to the Zambezi River, where they experience and witness her ancestral calling for the first time.
346"Episode 6"23 June 2023 (2023-06-23)
There's much catching up to do post the Zambia trip. Mamus, Leon and Success have their own session. Mamus invites her neighbor to Thobekile's skincare launch event.
357"Episode 7"30 June 2023 (2023-06-30)
Mamus and Leon have come a long way since the cupcake incident. Now the frenemies are planning an event together. Mamus, Lebo and Mareli decide to take Nicole dress shopping.
368"Episode 8"7 July 2023 (2023-07-07)
The sibling rivalry between Thobekile and Leon leaves them wondering if they could be related. Mareli decides to host a Halloween party that ends with the ghosts of Halloween showing up and shutting things down.
379"Episode 9"14 July 2023 (2023-07-14)
At the Halloween party, Success tells Lethabo that the ladies were discussing her new body, with nothing positive to say. Trying to own up to his 'mess', Success invites Kea and Lethabo to a gym session.
3810"Episode 10"21 July 2023 (2023-07-21)
Kea is ready to launch her children's pajamas clothing line. She invites Leon for some last minute inspection. Lebo and Thobekile discuss the latest gossip while test-driving the latest Land Rover.
3911"Episode 11"28 July 2023 (2023-07-28)
4012"Episode 12"4 August 2023 (2023-08-04)
4113"Episode 13"11 August 2023 (2023-08-11)
Reunion Part 1
4214"Episode 14"18 August 2023 (2023-08-18)
Reunion Part 2

Broadcast

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In South Africa, the first season began airing episodes on 1Magic on 3 August 2018. The second season premiered on 18 October 2019.

The show also airs on Media24's Honey on 10 May 2021.

International broadcast

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In Australia, the series premiered on Arena, on subscription service Foxtel, on 7 July 2019.[14]

In Canada, the series airs on cable channel Slice.

On January 19, 2022, the first two seasons became available in the United States for the first time on Discovery+ with a subscription. It had also been available to Tubi on April 1, 2022, but is no longer available on neither since May 2023.

References

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  1. ^ "ITVBe revisits Cheshire's Housewives". C21media.
  2. ^ "Real Housewives become Divas of Jozi | News". TVSA. 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  3. ^ "Divas of Jozi: the reviews are in and they're B.A.D. - SABC3 - TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za.
  4. ^ "A South African version of The Real Housewives finally coming to DStv".
  5. ^ Barr, Sabrina (2021-12-08). "Real Housewives of Johannesburg star Naledi Willers dies aged 30". Metro. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  6. ^ a b "Real Housewives of Johannesburg". 1Magic - Real Housewives of Johannesburg.
  7. ^ "Mercy Mogase Officially Confirms She's Leaving The Real Housewives Of Johannesburg!". iRealHousewives.
  8. ^ "Fake Boobs Bounce Back". TVSA - The Real housewives of Johannesburg.
  9. ^ a b "Real Housewives of Johannesburg Return With A New Season!". 1Magic - The Real housewives of Johannesburg.
  10. ^ "Season 3 of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg 'discontinued at this time'". Channel 24.
  11. ^ "Real Housewives: Durban goes international ahead of Joburg's return". The Citizen. 12 November 2022.
  12. ^ "Meet The Real Housewives Of Johannesburg Cast". ZAlebs. 20 April 2023.
  13. ^ "It's a wrap: Channel pulls plug on RHOJ!". DailySun. 24 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Real Housewives of Johannesburg | Arena on Foxtel". Arena. 2019-07-04. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
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