How The Real Housewives of Johannesburg was toppled by Durban

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg was the first South African adaptation of the popular international franchise, however, it was later toppled by The Real Housewives of Durban.

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg was the first South African adaptation of the United States-developed hit franchise. The first season was arguably carried by Evodia Mogase, who oozed luxury and affluence throughout the season. Moreover, because of her over-the-top personality, she quickly became one of the favourites on the show. When the second season premiered in 2020, Mogase had left to shoot her own reality show.

As such, the second season of the show saw the addition of Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho, Mpumi “Mrs Mops” Mophatlane and Lebo Gunguluza. While the cast did offer the expected drama, some fans of the show felt that the second season lacked affluence. This was largely due to the fact that the cast rarely showed off their wealth, instead, they focused on drama and gossip.

Therefore, when The Real Housewives of Durban premiered, the comparison between the two shows could not be avoided. Fans were immediately drawn to the Durban edition because of how casually the cast members showcased their affluence. According to some, this was unlike The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, which featured women that continually affirmed how hard they have worked for their money. The Durban edition saw the cast showcasing their wealth through the trips they took, the events they hosted, and their homes.

Moreover, when drama ensued amongst the Durban housewives, it was never about money. Instead, it was often about emotional matters, such as the tumultuous relationship between Nonku Williams and Ayanda Ncwane. Therefore, it was no surprise when it was revealed that season three of The Real Housewive of Johannesburg would not be aired, due to the success of the Durban edition.

Showmax, in light of the success of the first season of the Durban edition, stated, “The first episode of RHOD broke Showmax’s first-day viewing record at the end of January. At the time of writing, RHOD remains the most popular series on Showmax, after the two part-reunion, hosted by Phat Joe, launched on the weekend.