Young, Famous & African is an African reality television series on Netflix, starring African stars Khanyi Mbau, Ini Edo, Annie Macaulay-Idibia, Zari Hassan, Diamond Platnumz, Andile Ncube, Swanky Jerry, Naked DJ, Nadia Nakai, Luis Munana, Kayleigh Schwark, Shakib Cham Lutaaya, Fantana and 2Baba. The show focused on building careers, looking for love, and rekindling old flames of famous media personalities from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania.
As Netflix's first African reality series, it premiered on 18 March 2022.
Plot The show follows a group of friends who are African entertainers and A-listers as they go about their lives having fun, flirting and fighting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
They hail from five African countries. South African actress and media personality Khanyi Mbau is the central character of the group who is in a relationship with a Zimbabwean businessman. Separated couple Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania and his ex-girlfriend, South African-based Ugandan businesswoman Zari Hassan navigate their post-separation relationship, moving on and co-parenting.
Nigerian model Annie Macaulay-Idibia and her musician husband 2Baba deal with issues of previous infidelity and restoration. Nigerian fashion stylist Swanky Jerry is another central character who often appears as a peacemaker in the group.
South African rapper Nadia Nakai who is in a long-distance relationship, and single guy and broadcaster Andile Ncube also feature as potential love interests of other cast members.
Twice-divorced South African Naked DJ and his footballer girlfriend Kayleigh Schwark go through the challenges of dating life and their 12-year age gap.
Cast Annie Macaulay-Idibia Bonang Matheba Diamond Platnumz Swanky Jerry Zari Hassan Nadia Nakai 2Baba Khanyi Mbau Naked DJ Kayleigh Schwark Andile Ncube Luis Munana Ini Edo Kefilwe Mabote Fantana +Person Season 1Season 2Season 3Khanyi MbauYesYesGuestDiamond PlatnumzYesYesYesNaked DJYesYesYesZari HassanYesYesYesSwanky JerryYesYesYesAndile NcubeYesYesNoAnnie MacaluayYesYesYesNadia NakaiYesYesYesKayleigh SchwarkYesYesYesFantanaNoYesYesLuis MunanaNoYesYesBonang MathebaNoRecurringGuest2BabaRecurringRecurringGuestKefilwe MaboteNoNoYesShakibNoNoYesIni EdoNoNoYes Episodes
Season 1 (2022)
Season 2 (2023)
Season 3 (2025)
Production On 22 June 2021, Netflix partnered with Urban Brew Studios and A POP Media to produce its first African original reality television series, Young, Famous & African. This landmark project became a defining moment for the continent, showcasing Africa’s vibrant talent to the world through the global platform of Netflix. Peace Hyde, one of the creators and executive producers of the show, reflected on how the series represents Africa’s bold step into the global spotlight. On 25 September 2021, Netflix premiered Young, Famous & African at Tudum: A Global Fan Event in Brazil, among 60 Netflix Originals.
On 14 February 2022, the official trailer was released on Netflix's YouTube channel. The show premiered on 18 March.
The third season premiered on January 17, 2025, with South African content creator Kefilwe Mabote, iconic Nigerian actress Ini Edo, and Ugandan boxer and entrepreneur Shakib Lutaaya joining the cast.
Reception Awards and nominations Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result 2022 African Entertainment Awards USA Best Reality TV Shows Young, Famous & African 2023 National Film & TV Awards South Africa Best Reality TV Show Young, Famous & African 2024South African Film and Television AwardsBest Reality Show Young, Famous & African
References
External links
Young, Famous & African at Netflix