Young, Famous & African is Netflix’s first African reality series, offering an exclusive look into the lives of some of the continent’s most famous and influential celebrities. The series combines the excesses of celebrity and socialite lifestyle with ego-driven conflict and moments of vulnerability. If you were looking for a reality series that evokes luxury and success amongst the African elite, then Young, Famous & African needs to be on your list.
The new reality show follows a group of successful African entertainers and entrepreneurs in Johannesburg, South Africa. The series has all the ingredients that make for a juicy reality Netflix binge: a few parts glamour, a sprinkle of mess, and finished with a hefty spoonful of drama.
Season 3 has shaken things up with new cast members, surprise exits, and explosive storylines that have left fans talking. While fans have one less episode than the season before, there are more cast members to fall in love with. Season 3 welcomes South African content creator Kefilwe Mabote, iconic Nigerian actress Ini Edo, and Ugandan boxer and entrepreneur Shakib Lutaaya to the show’s cast of superstars. The show will again see the packed cast of friends and frenemies shaking up Sandton, aka Africa’s richest square mile, offering dramatic break-ups and affecting make-ups.
Here’s a closer look at the cast of Young, Famous & African:
Returning Cast Members
Annie Macaulay-Idibia
Annie Macaulay-Idibia, one of the original cast members of Young, Famous & African, has returned for Season 3. The actress and entertainer has already established herself onscreen in Nigeria and came to Johannesburg looking to expand her reach across the continent. Even though she has it all together on the outside, her issues with her estranged husband, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia, become the focal point of her story throughout Young, Famous & African, along with dealing with her daughter’s health issues and sacrificing time to invest in her kids’ careers.
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In Season 3, she won’t be appearing with her husband Innocent Idibia (2Baba). Though she and her former friend Zari are still working through their issues, she does get an invitation to her wedding with Shakib. The unresolved tension between Annie and Swanky resurfaced as they revisited the Season 2 phone call drama, making it clear that their friendship was still on shaky ground. Annie also clashed with Zari Hassan at Zari’s wedding, criticizing her for marrying a much younger man, Shakib.
- Full Name: Annie Macaulay-Idibia
- Country: Nigeria
Diamond Platnumz
The playboy himself, Diamond Platnumz, comes back for a third season. Diamond is a Tanzanian playboy that brings Hollywood stardom wherever he goes with 13 million followers on social media and even the occasional military detail because of his Rihanna-level fandom. He co-parents two children with his ex-wife Zari Hassan and returns to Johannesburg to be closer to his family despite the tumultuous relationship riddled with infidelity, but that gets a little blurry when he goes for Nadia and Zari shares close encounters with Andile.
It appears that he’s moved past his love triangle with Zari, as she’s preparing to marry new boo Shakib. Diamond continued flirting with Fantana, fueling ongoing tension with Zari.
- Full Name: Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack
- Age: 35 (born October 2, 1989)
- Country: Tanzania
Zari Hassan
Zari Hassan has moved on from her love triangle with the father of her child, Diamond Platnumz, and former flame, Andile Ncube. Also known as Zari Hassan, the Tanzanian entrepreneur likes to be known for her business savvy - but as we see on the show, she also earns a reputation for the drama that follows her. Throughout the series, Zari is often on the other end of a disagreement with cast members, like Annie and Khanyi. After a public breakup and cheating scandal with her ex-husband and the father of two of her five kids, Zari co-parents with Diamond while also exchanging eyes with Andile.
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She’s found a more promising love with her fiancé Shakib Lutaaya, whom she is excited and ready to marry this season. Zari introduced her new partner, Shakib Lutaaya, who is 32, to the group, leading to scrutiny about their age difference - especially from Annie Macaulay-Idibia, who commented that Shakib was too young for her.
- Full Name: Zarinah Hassan
- Age: 44 (born September 23, 1980)
- Country: Uganda
Swanky Jerry
The stylish, and usually, fashionably late Swanky Jerry is bringing it all back for Season 3, and he’s got his looks with him as well. The Nigerian superstar stylist (whose real name is Jeremiah Ogbodo) is in town with his best friend Annie Macaulay-Idibia to make some moves in his career and loves a good party. He lives up to his name when it comes to his style and enjoys bringing fun to the group, especially when it comes to Annie while she deals with problems with Innocent.
Swanky and his former bestie Annie are still feuding, and the tensions between grow thicker in Season 3. Swanky returned for Season 3, and his continued conflict with Annie was a focal point, especially as they revisited their issues from Season 2.
- Full Name: Jeremiah Ogbodo
- Age: 33 (born July 4, 1991)
- Country: Nigeria
Nadia Nakai
Coming off her “Gen Z South Africa” hosing gig, Nadia Nakai remains booked and busy still working on her music. Nadia is a stylish woman who loves fast cars and a good time. The successful first-generation South African-Zimbabwean rapper and entertainer is confident about what she wants, and that’s how she ended up with American rapper Vic Mensa, whose father is from Ghana. (Though she confirmed they broke up in August.) Nadia is close friends with Khanyi and also finds herself receiving sweet gestures from Diamond while he’s in Johannesburg.
- Full Name: Nadia Nakai Kandava
- Age: 34 (born May 18, 1990)
- Country: South Africa
Quinton Masina (Naked DJ)
Quinton Masina returns to Season 3 alongside his longtime girlfriend Kayleigh Schwark. Naked (real name Quinton Masina) is a big-time DJ who loves life and enjoys it to the fullest. Despite having control of his life, his relationship with 28-year-old Kayleigh Schwark is rocky. Outside of his romance, Naked is also often the voice of harsh reason for friends like Diamond and Andile when it comes to quarrels involving multiple women.
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- Full Name: Quinton Masina
- Age: 44 (born August 13, 1980)
- Country: South Africa
Kayleigh Schwark
Kayleigh Schwark is swinging wedding bells this season, as she’s now officially engaged to boyfriend Quinton. The fitness buff and semiprofessional soccer player is trying to create a new life with her 40-year-old boyfriend, Naked. She often looks to her friends Nadia and Khanyi for advice about their relationship as she tries to reconcile her frustrations. The two are now living together, and like the seasons before, the famous footballer is staying out of the drama, but she’ll always standby as a neutral party. Kayleigh remained a key part of the group, offering a more grounded perspective. Her friendships continued to grow, but she stayed mostly away from the conflict, calming the group.
- Full Name: Kayleigh Schwark
- Age: 32 (born December 4, 1992)
- Country: South Africa
Luis Munana
Luis Munana returns for a second season after landing as the hot commodity in Season 2. Luis was born in Namibia and started his career as a model in the entertainment industry. A major conflict arose when Luis asked Ini Edo to help him select a surrogate for his baby, which angered her. Ini Edo, who had her daughter through surrogacy, was upset by the request, feeling that Luis was parading women to decide who was worthy to be his surrogate.
- Full Name: Luis Tshita Munana
- Age: 33 (born July 23, 1991)
- Country: Namibia
Khanyi Mbau
South African actress and media personality Khanyi Mbau is the central character of the group who is in a relationship with a Zimbabwean businessman. Some may call her a golddigger, but she would say she’s savvy and knows how to get things done. Khanyi is the self-proclaimed OG of the group who embodies the kind of wealth she looks for in the men she pursues. The proud South African actress, media personality, and businesswoman tackles her golddigger reputation head-on and doesn’t apologize for knowing what she wants and setting the bar high for the men who fancy her. With her younger boyfriend, an alleged fugitive, she isn’t afraid to know how she feels and hooks up her friends - regardless of their marital status.
- Full Name: Khanyisile Mbau
- Age: 40 (born October 15, 1984)
- Country: South Africa
New Cast Members
Ini Edo
Joining the party for Season 3 of Young, Famous & African is longtime Nigerian actress Ini Edo. Ini Edo is a renowned Nigerian actress and film producer, recognized as one of Nollywood’s most influential figures. She became involved in a major conflict with Luis after he asked her to help him select a surrogate for his baby. Ini Edo, who had used a surrogate to have her daughter, was offended by the request and accused Luis of parading women to decide who would be his surrogate.
- Full Name: Iniobong Edo Ekim
- Age: 42 (born April 23, 1982)
- Country: Nigeria
Shakib Lutaaya
Also new to the show is Shakib Lutaaya, a businessman and part-time amateur boxer. Shakib was introduced as Zari Hassan’s husband. Their relationship became a point of contention, especially with Annie Macaulay-Idibia, who openly commented that Shakib was too young for Zari. This created tension within the group, adding drama to the season.
- Full Name: Shakib Lutaaya Chum
- Age: 32 (born in 1992)
- Country: Uganda
Kefilwe Mabote
Joining the cast as a fresh face is fashion and lifestyle social media influencer Kefilwe Mabote. Her appearance on Young, Famous & African will be her reality series debut.
- Full Name: Kefilwe Mabote
- Age: 35 (born April 10, 1989)
- Country: South Africa
Recurring Cast Members
Innocent "2Baba" Idibia
Nigerian model Annie Macaulay-Idibia and her musician husband 2Baba deal with issues of previous infidelity and restoration. The Nigerian superstar lives larger than life, just like his music persona, but that often causes friction in his marriage with his wife, Annie. The latter is trying to repair their relationship after the struggles with their two children.
- Full Name: Innocent Ujah Idibia
- Age: 49 (born September 18, 1975)
- Country: Nigeria
Fantana
Her attraction to Diamond led to tension with his baby mama, Zari Hassan, creating an ongoing conflict throughout the season. Fantana returned for Season 3, and her storyline continued to revolve around her dynamic with Diamond.
Bonang Matheba
Bonang Matheba was introduced in Season 2. She became involved in a heated conflict with Luis Munana over an event that he invited her to in Namibia. Bonang left the show before the second season was over.
Andile Ncube
The quiet, dapper entrepreneur may be excellent and easy on the outside, but he can also find himself predicaments with women. In the series, we often find him talking about scandalous relationships with his two friends, Diamond and Naked. Things get very interesting and serious between him and Zari, with his steady advances on the Tanzanian entrepreneur despite his close friendship with Diamond.
