Okay! I am not one for reality TV but…🙌 I just finished watching the South African reality show, The Ultimatum SA, non-stop, and let me tell you all the things I thought to myself.
First off, the cast was mostly under 30, which had me feeling a little left out🤏🏽, but the drama and entertainment made up for it. 💃 Secondly, I was pleasantly surprised by how emotionally mature and self-aware these kids were. Honestly, if I could have articulated myself that well at 26, I’d probably be a trophy wife with, like, six kids by now. (LOL!) 😂
But in all seriousness, it was refreshing to see predominantly Black Africans who were just so cool, unabashedly honest, and unapologetically themselves as per South African trademark. No accents were harmed in the making of this show evidently🤷🏽♀️🇿🇦 I am still quite puzzled about what felt like the token white couple in a forced “rainbow nation” thing. They carried through-ish. The most important point being, the soft-spoken short King, Aiden can be indecisive in Harare anytime he chooses. 😈
Let me spill the tea on some of the more iconic moments and characters from the show. 💅While there were so many beautiful women, one sister, Kanya had to take it ‘there’ by slutshaming, body-shaming and insults. Way to reaffirm the assumptions that light-skinned, beautiful young women are just materialistic and effing mean for no reason sis!🙄 And let’s not forget my fighter, Ruth – that sexually liberated queen was honest about her needs, no matter what her partner thought.👏Would I pull a Ruth? Never in my liver would I find the grand audacity but here’s to being true to self.
Participants like Nolla gave me a reason to burn a bra or two with his blatant womanizing branded as flirtatiousness. Lindile’s vindictiveness and clear lack of care was crazy for me. How can someone so cold be trusted with till death do us part? On the flip side; while many of the strong, assertive women were refreshing to see, it was also heartbreaking to witness the brokenness of some of the male participants. 💔Certain depictions, like Aiden being publicly degraded by a partner who had given him an ultimatum, were deeply unsettling. The dynamics between Nkateko and his partner were particularly concerning, with her clear temper and high-key abusive conduct leaving me feeling a way. With Lebo it was her way or the highway and I am not sure that’s how his stuff is meant to work. The juxtaposition of empowered women and emotionally fragile men left a bittersweet aftertaste for sure.
Compared to most reality TV, which is often scripted toxicness, The Ultimatum SA was a bit sincere and insightful. Despite the show’s entertainment value, the moments served as a sobering reminder of the complexities and vulnerabilities of humans. Yes, there was drama, and yes, it was meant to entertain, but the hosts’ “Sis, are you okay?” approach was a refreshing touch. While I may have skipped a few episodes to get to the juicy bits I enjoyed The Ultimatum SA. The hosts, Salamina Mosese and Howza brought a cute vibe to the whole thing. Howza was giving older wise uncle energy while Salamina handled the bidness. Respect.
If you’re in the mood for reality TV that’s a bit more wholesome, I’d recommend checking it out on Netflix.
