WATCH | ‘The Makhenes’ tell their story in new family reality show
· The South African
Aptly titled The Makhenes, the reality show is the vehicle that one of the country’s most famous entertainment families is using to give us a glimpse into their lives.
Blondie Makhene is the anchor and in the middle of the four-generation family, having started his music career in the 70s at his brother’s urging. He later became part of the duo, Blondie and Papa, with his elder brother.
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He’s also famous for producing one of the late singer Brenda Fassie’s best-known songs, Weekend Special, in 1983.
Music is in the veins of the family, having filtered down to Blondie‘s three daughters, with his first wife, the late Agnes.
Sisters Pauline, Letoya, and Gontse were part of the girl group, Skool Girls, with their cousin Nicky in the 90s. Letoya went on to have a solo singing career, as well as an acting career, famously starring in the local soapie, Generations: The Legacy.
Letoya became a sangoma at the height of her success as an entertainer, with her journey being recorded in a documentary about the family.
In 2005, their life story was documented on A Family Affair by director Bev Palesa Ditsie, where their professional and personal history is tracked, while highlighting their life at the time.
The new reality show, which starts on 12 April on Mzansi Magic at 7 pm, promises a raw and honest display of the life of the family, from their matriarch, Blondie’s mother, through the generations, to include Letoya’s children.
“There is nothing glossy or polished about it; it is real. Real love, real pain, and real life. I show up as my true, authentic self at a time when I had lost everything and reached my lowest point,” said Letoya as reported by IOL.