Real Housewives Of Johannesburg Cast

Real Housewives Of Johannesburg Cast

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg (abbreviated RHOJ) is a South African reality television series that premiered on 3 August 2018, on M-Net’s rebranded channel, 1Magic.

The show is developed as an international instalment of the American The Real Housewives franchise and the first instalment of the franchise set in Africa. The Real Housewives of Johannesburg focuses on the personal and professional lives of several women living in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The current cast consists of original housewives Christall Kay and Brinnette Seopela, Lebo JoJo Mokoena, Lethabo Mathatho, Mpho Merriweather, Mpumi Mophatlane and Tarina Patel (all since season 2). Previously featured cast members include mother & daughter, Evodia & Mercy Mogase, Busisiwe “Lendy” Ter Mors and Naledi Willers.

Overview & casting

The Real Housewives of Johannesburg was first rumoured in 2014 to be produced by local company Tigere Media, however the production company had failed to get appropriate licensing rights – leading to a stall in production in mid-2015.

Another company, Bravoplex Media, took over production – repurposing some of the footage and reshooting with an added cast member to create the critically panned Divas of Jozi, which premiered on SABC3 in 2016.

In January 2018, as part of M-Net’s ongoing rebrand of their Vuzu Amp channel to 1Magic – it was announced that they had secured an official version of the Real Housewives franchise, to premiere within the year.

In July 2018, the cast was announced to consist of six affluent women from the Johannesburg area; including mother and daughter Evodia and Mercy Mogase, aspiring pop-star Lydia Judith Kay, business owner Brinnette Seopela, law student and former Miss Botswana 2nd Princess Naledi Willers and golfer and socialite Busisiwe ‘Lendy’ Ter Mors.

On November 23, 2018, the series was renewed for a second season. On May 23, 2019, both mother and daughter, Evodia & Mercy Mogase, announced their departure from the show. On September 18, 2019, the cast of the second season was announced, confirming the return of both Kay and Seopela, along with new wives, Lebo JoJo Mokoena, Lethabo Mathatho, Mpho Merriweather, Mpumi Mophatlane, and Tarina Patel. The second season premiered on October 18, 2019.

In April 2021, it was revealed that production for the third season had been halted due to a physical altercation between Kay and Seopela. On November 25, 2021, the third season was confirmed and will consist of fourteen episodes.

On December 7, 2021, original cast-member Naledi Willers passed away at the age of 30 after suffering from breast cancer.

Timeline of housewives