South African-based Zimbabwe native and actress Davina Tarongerwa Mavuwa’s appearances on The Buzz is bringing authenticity, sassiness and an open mind to Anele Mdoda’s pan-African talk show.
The show, which is on its fifth season, airs on the new DStv channel’s HONEY, Africa’s first original lifestyle channel. Launched in mid-February as a celebration of the pan-African lifestyle, HONEY TV has been extolled for its groundbreaking approach to entertainment.
The Buzz is even more delightful because of its intelligent and humorous panellists. It features Zimbabwe’s Davina Mavuwa, Kenya’s Rachel Mwangemi, Nigeria’s Pearl Umeh and the DRC’s Zanna Katoka, all bringing bits of their diverse backgrounds, cultural aspects and stories on the big screen.
In each episode, a viewer writes in with their quandary, which is what makes it special. The panellists then share their insights, experiences and views on the particular topic. The women also get to vote on the viewers’ dilemmas, making for even more interesting insights.
The women of The Buzz are the girlfriends you know or wish you knew. They bring real, honest, heartfelt, jaw-dropping and witty conversations to your homes.
Zinzi Velelo, HONEY’s Head of Content said The Buzz was an intersection of African storytelling.
“The Buzz is a talk show like no other, you have strong opinionated voices from 5 opinionated women from across Africa. The fact that the viewer can be assisted with their life issues by just writing to us and an entire half-hour is dedicated to solving their problem is what makes it so authentic. Africa can now hear and see how other Africans live and navigate through life’s challenges,” she said.
Having lived and worked abroad in places such as the USA and Canada, Davina brings international experience to the show.
“Being on the show feels so surreal because you want something, but when you’re actually on set it’s totally different, in a really good way. I’ve always wanted to be on TV and everyone around me has always said I’m so dramatic and extra. Now I feel that my purpose has found me. I have always loved life, I speak my mind, and this show is a beautiful expression of who I am,” Davina told DStv.
She believes in authenticity, and that there is so much power in being one’s self.
“At first I felt that I had to conform and felt a bit of pressure to wear wigs to meet a certain standard of on-screen beauty. I was not as comfortable as I am now, having ditched wigs for my natural hair. For me, coming into my own a few episodes in was the best part, and it made me realise the importance of loving and owning who we are.
“People relate to what’s real, and the women who form part of the panel are just that. This is why I believe The Buzz will resonate with millions of people across the continent. It’s a show where girlfriends give you their unbiased opinions on various issues,” she added.
As opinionated as she is, Davina has on occasion found that voicing out your views doesn’t always sit well with others.
“My father had to remind me to not undermine my gift. There are some people who speak but aren’t heard, and when I speak, people listen. I try to embrace it as a leadership quality and use it wisely.”
The fifth season of The Buzz premiered on the 26th of May 2021.
Here is a sneak peek of Davina on the show.
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Catch The Buzz on HONEY (DStv channel 173) Mondays to Thursdays at WAT (18:00) CAT (19:00) EAT (20:00).
