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After attending the premiere of The Real City Makoti last night, one thing is immediately clear: this is not another glossy, overproduced reality show built around excess and spectacle. Instead, it’s a refreshingly honest look at what it really means to be a makoti in modern-day Johannesburg.
The new reality series follows five women as they navigate married life in the city, balancing careers, relationships, personal identity and the cultural expectations that come with being a makoti. Set against the fast-paced backdrop of Joburg, the show, created by Ray Content Hub, explores the complex intersection of tradition and contemporary urban living.
What sets The Real City Makoti apart is its groundedness. Unlike franchises such as The Real Housewives, where luxury, status and drama are front and centre, to me this series feels far more intimate and relatable. The women’s stories aren’t driven by displays of wealth or manufactured conflict, but by real-life pressures many South African women will recognise: managing family expectations, finding balance in marriage, and holding onto a sense of self while honouring culture.
Speaking at the premiere, social media star Anika Dambuza said she joined the cast to represent and show people how she navigates life in an interracial, intercultural marriage. “To me, our relationship is normal, but what we’ve realised over the years is that it's still shocking for some people. So for the sake of learning, I think it was important for me to come on the show and share our journey,” she noted.
For Keneilwe Mpolokeng, it was about sharing the complexities of a life led by spiritual responsibility: “The reason why I chose to be a part of this beautiful project was to show people life as a sangoma who is married to a polygamous man, especially because polygamy is not common in the Xhosa culture.”
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Each of the five women brings a distinct perspective and living situation, making it easy to find moments of connection across the cast. Based on the first episode, their experiences feel lived-in rather than performed, a rarity in the reality TV space, and that authenticity is what gives the show its emotional weight.
At its core, the show asks thoughtful questions: What does tradition look like in a city that never slows down? How do modern makotis redefine cultural roles on their own terms? And how do women carve out space for themselves while carrying generational expectations?
With its focus on real stories, cultural nuance and an authentic portrayal of city life, The Real City Makoti feels like a meaningful addition to South African television. If the premiere is anything to go by, this is a series worth watching, not just for the drama, but for the conversations it’s likely to spark. Personally, I look forward to seeing how Johannesburg is portrayed and how it fits into the story.
You can catch the Makotis: Anika Dambuza, Keneilwe Mofokeng, Lucy Mahlangu, Linda Mbunyuza and Sessy Mofokeng in the first episode of The Real City Makoti on DSTV’s Mzansi Wethu Channel 163 on Friday, 30 January at 6:30 pm.
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