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Drama unfolds on ‘Young, Famous and African’ season 3

Young, Famous and African

The third season of ‘Young, Famous and African’ has arrived and if you’re a fan of chaos and drama, this series delivers in spades.

Last season introduced Namibia’s very own Luis Munana to the multinational cast, and it didn’t take long for him to get swept up in the whirlwind of mudslinging and catcalling that has become the show’s signature.

The eight-episode season starts on a deceptively positive note before spiraling into the familiar unhinged madness we’ve come to expect.

If I had to summarise this season’s storylines, I’d struggle to find a cohesive narrative. The bulk of the drama centres around the group meeting in various combinations – either to argue, to rehash old arguments, or to gossip about arguments that just happened.

It’s a cycle of conflict that borders on absurdity.

For a cast of adults who frequently demand respect by throwing around their age, their behaviour is shockingly erratic.

It’s hard to tell whether this is who they really are, or if they’re playing it up for the cameras.

Case in point: I’ve met Luis Munana and I never pegged him as catty – so watching him dive head first into the fray was, at the very least, entertaining.

The season does offer glimpses of authenticity, which provide a much-needed counterbalance to the chaotic storylines.

Nadia Nakai navigating life after the tragic death of her boyfriend, Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes, stands out as a deeply human moment. Munana’s journey interviewing potential gestational surrogates – including fellow Namibian darling Leena Shipwata – offers insight into his softer side.

Zari’s wedding, paired with her husband’s discomfort over her closeness with ex, Diamond Platnumz, adds complexity to her storyline.

Meanwhile, newcomer Kefilwe Mabote’s ongoing heartbreak and one character’s pregnancy scare inject occasional doses of realness into an otherwise over-the-top season.

Still, the show leaves much to be desired.

Why didn’t we see more of what makes these celebrities worth watching? Where were the glimpses of their work, their creative projects, or their relationships outside the group?

Reality TV thrives on drama, but it’s the balance between chaos and connection that keeps audiences invested.

Without a deeper look into who these people are beyond the fights, the season felt superficial.

After a while, the arguments became repetitive and, frankly, exhausting.

Four or five people screaming at each other made it hard to follow – and harder to care. At times, the drama felt contrived, lacking any real emotional grounding in the cast’s daily lives or aspirations.

Heading into this season, I hoped for fresh starts, but instead, the cast seemed stuck in the past. After a year and a half, Annie Idibia is still confronting Swanky about that infamous voice note.

Fantana and Munana are still bickering over their unclear history. Fantana is still delusionally in love with Platnumz.

It felt like the narrative had stalled, spinning its wheels in old conflicts rather than moving forward.

That said, if you love the mess of reality TV, there’s plenty here to enjoy.

Trash TV has its comforts, and ‘Young, Famous and African’ offers stunning production value, beautiful South African scenery and a peek into the complexities of the human psyche.

But for those craving more substance and less screaming, this season may leave you wanting.

– Anne Hambuda is a poet, writer, and social commentator. Follow her online or email her at annehambuda@gmail.com for more.

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