The Mseleku family is back: expect infiltered drama in ‘Uthando neS’thembu: Uncut’

Mzansi Magic is closing off the year by giving viewers exactly what they have been asking for: more Mseleku drama, more honesty and more moments that never made it to their screens. 

The channel has announced that it is dropping a six-episode special titled “Uthando neS’thembu: Uncut” on December 5, and the name speaks for itself.

The Mseleku family has been opening their doors to the country since 2017, and it turns out, after eight seasons and a fifth wife, there is still so much viewers have not seen.

The special will consist of footage that did not make the weekly episodes, the raw conversations and the emotional moments that were too heavy or too personal to squeeze into season eight.

If you have been following the latest season, which finished airing in April 2025, you’ll know that a lot of family drama unfolded. 

From Mseleku’s recovery after suffering two strokes, which shifted the entire family dynamic, to MaNgwabe still staying on Mseleku’s side even after threatening to leave if Mseleku added another wife. 

Apart from the stroke, the newest addition gave viewers more reason to be glued to their screens. The fifth wife’s arrival was not exactly received with a warm welcome from everyone.

The first wife, MaCele, has embraced her, but MaYeni was indifferent, MaNgwabe kept her distance, and MaKhumalo has been vocal about her concerns, especially because the new wife comes from her area.

Season eight also took a toll on MaYeni. Her decision to leave the family home due to health challenges and emotional exhaustion was a major storyline, with viewers watching the impact on her children as they tried to understand her absence. 

With all the family drama, Mseleku’s vision is consistently on trying to keep the family steady, which only heightened the tension between him and some of his wives.

With the “uncut” version, viewers can expect episodes that dig deeper, with each episode focusing on one major storyline. 

It’s a chance to see the disagreements that did not make it into the main show and the moments that show why this family continues to dominate reality TV. For over five years, Mseleku and his wives have been one of South Africa’s biggest reality shows because of their openness. 

Whether people agree with polygamy or not, the Mselekus have sparked national conversations by simply putting their lives out there. 

With “Uthando neS’thembu: Uncut”, viewers are about to see the parts of the story that were kept behind the curtain.

• Watch the special on December 5 at 8pm on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161).