Andile Khumalo, Bheki Hlophe, Busani Ndwalane, Bonga Madlala, Mpho Mbili, and Jackey Ngcobo will be gracing Mzansi’s screens this October. Picture: Supplied
The new reality show “Ama Grootman” is set to showcase the soft side of life, following the lives of the most talked about group from Port Shepstone on the KZN South Coast. From luxurious lifestyles to personal struggles and untold stories, Omalume be Softlife (these soft life uncles) will be revealing it all.
IOL spoke to two of the “Ama Grootman” cast members, Andile Khumalo and Bheki Hlophe. They talk about life before the cameras, family and, sharing their personal stories on reality TV.
Khumalo and Hlophe are both family orientated and traditional men who have led a simple life of providing for their loved ones before they were followed by cameras.
Khumalo shares that he hopes that sharing some of his flaws with Mzansi can inspire them to learn from him.
“Just like many other men, I have a past and have learnt a lot from it. I think that’s a good thing and it should be celebrated and shared with the whole world hoping that others will be inspired,” says Khumalo.
Hlophe shares that the relationship he has with his fellow cast mates goes much deeper than friendship, as they are also cousins.
“Since we are all related, it makes us very close to each other,” says Hlophe.
When it comes to the highly anticipated reality show, he shares that the audience can expect many amazing things.
“The show will showcase all the brilliance and the fortunes, everything viewers need,” says Hlophe.
“The audience can expect to hear my truth, reality and life journey with my friends but with some twists of course,” says Khumalo.
He adds that by sharing his life with the public, he fears his space being invaded as he is a private man but hopes that viewers will watch and enjoy their show while taking all the positives from it.
New found wealth and personal struggles are the central themes of the upcoming Mzansi Magic reality show, which follows a group of friends who also share a brotherhood, experiencing a dramatic financial transformation from their successes.
When asked how the cast was assembled, Lucky Khowa, the producer of the show shares that witnessing the lives of “Ama Grootman” while growing up made it easy for him to the friends as the cast.
“Growing up in Port Shepstone, I was fortunate to witness the remarkable bond among ‘Ama Grootman’, they inspired the youth and others with their values and achievements which made it easy to pick them as cast,” he says.
Khowa adds that viewers can also expect laughter, love and resilience. The show will challenge stereotypes and foster empathy while inspiring connection.
Mbalenhle Ntuli, who is the Head of Reality Middle and Mass adds that the reality show will open a new universe on television which will focus on the “new money” phenomenon, the fast life, dating and maintaining relationships that keep the cast members grounded.
“This goes beyond the fast life, as these six friends manage their wealth, confront their issues, and tackle unresolved conflicts,” she says.
The premiere of “Ama Grootman” will air on October 24 2024, on Mzansi Magic, channel 161 at 8pm.
IOL