Unveiling the Drama: Meet the Stars of Young, Famous & African Seasons 1-3!

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The Young, Famous & African crew has given a behind-the-scenes peek into their lives, making the world of African show business accessible to Netflix viewers. This series, which debuted in 2022, marks Africa’s first TV show on Netflix, resembling shows like Love & Hip Hop, with African stars and top celebrities pursuing love and careers. The cast members originate from diverse African nations such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The year 2025 saw the launch of the third installment of “Young, Famous & African.” This season welcomed two fresh faces and bid farewell to two existing ones. The series showcases a diverse group of individuals, including actors, media personalities, entrepreneurs, models, fashion designers, musicians, and athletes, all juggling their careers while maintaining peak fame. To put it another way, the cast of “Young, Famous & African” is quite extensive, with 14 regulars returning for this season, as two new talents step in to fill the vacancies left by the departing stars.

Name Seasons Country
Diamond Platnumz 1-3 Tanzania
Annie Macaulay-Idibia 1-3 Nigeria
Zari Hassan 1-3 Uganda
Nadia Nakai 1-3 South Africa
Swanky Jerry 1-3 Nigeria
Naked DJ 1-3 South Africa
Kayleigh Schwark 1-3 South Africa
Khanyi Mbau (Guest in Season 3) 1-3 South Africa
2Baba (Recurring Guest) 1-3 Nigeria
Andile Ncube 1-2 South Africa
Fantana 2-3 Ghana
Luis Munana 2-3 Namibia
Bonang Martheba (Recurring) 2 South Africa
Shakib Lutaaya 3 Uganda
Ini Edo 3 Nigeria
Kefilwe Mabote 3 South Africa

Diamond Platnumz

Seasons 1-3

Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz, known as Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, has graced every season of the reality series “Young, Famous & African“. In the first season, Diamond was accompanied by Zari Hassan, who is the mother of his two children. However, their relationship was a recurring theme throughout all three seasons, generating much drama as Diamond started a new romance with Fantana, causing tensions among the show’s cast members. Diamond Platnumz rose to fame through his successful music career and even established a significant record label in East Africa.

Annie Macaulay-Idibia

Seasons 1-3

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I can’t help but mention that Annie Macaulay-Idibia graces our screens as a cast member on the third season of “Young, Famous & African.” In the first installment, her storyline revolved around her past experiences with infidelity from 2Baba, a fact that was brought to light by his other children. This sensitive issue led to a complex narrative involving her friend Swanky Jerry, creating tension that carried over into the second season. Born in Nigeria, Macaulay-Idibia is a renowned model and actress recognized for her captivating performances in Nollywood films.

Zari Hassan

Seasons 1-3

Zari Hassan encountered issues right off the bat when it came to managing her ex-partner Diamond Platnumz and co-parenting responsibilities. However, things became even more complicated when she admitted to still having feelings for Platnumz, while simultaneously developing affection for Andile Ncube and eventually dating Shakib Lutaaya, who was significantly younger than herself. Hassan is a well-known musician and socialite hailing from Uganda, whose fame grew due to her success in music as well as her entrepreneurial endeavors.

Nadia Nakai

Seasons 1-3

Nadia Kakai prioritized her career over romantic entanglements that frequently affected many cast members. Over time, she grew particularly close to everyone, with Zari Hassan becoming one of her dearest friends. A poignant chapter in her life unfolded when she formed a deep bond with the rapper AKA. The aftermath of his death was a powerful storyline featured in season 3. Initially, Nadia Kakai rose to prominence due to her involvement in e.tv’s hip-hop show, Shiz Niz, where she triumphed in the Mixtape 101 competition.

Swanky Jerry

Seasons 1-3

Jeremiah Ogbodo, more commonly known as Swanky Jerry, demonstrated his tight bond with Khanyi Mbau due to mutual experiences within the entertainment sector. In season 2, Swanky Jerry had a dispute with Annie Macaulay-Idibia that persisted into season 3. Despite this, he managed to maintain a strong relationship with Fantana and Nadia. Swanky Jerry is a renowned Nigerian stylist in the celebrity world, known for his unique and well-maintained personal style.

Naked DJ

Seasons 1-3

Throughout the series, “Naked DJ,” also known as Quinton Masina, was romantically linked with Kayleigh Schwark. Unlike many of the other cast members on “Young, Famous & African,” he generally steered clear of drama and managed to keep a cool head during most of the other cast members’ turbulent times. It wasn’t until season 3 that he proposed to Schwark. Naked DJ is a well-known South African DJ and radio personality.

Kayleigh Schwark

Seasons 1-3

Kayleigh Schwark became part of the “Young, Famous & African” television show’s cast, portraying Naked DJ’s girlfriend. Similar to Naked DJ, she is a serene and uplifting presence within the group, typically avoiding conflicts and providing a sense of balance for those around her. The audience and fellow cast members adored her, and eventually, by season 3, they managed to persuade Naked DJ to propose to Schwark. Originating from South Africa, Schwark is well-known as a lifestyle and fitness influencer.

Khanyi Mbau

Seasons 1-3 (Guest in Season 3)

Khanyi Mbau stood out as one of the most entertaining and divisive cast members on the reality show Young, Famous & African, particularly during her debut in season 1. Her self-assuredness often butted heads with others in the group, such as Zari Hassan. A significant, dramatic storyline involving Hassan and Diamond Platnumz unfolded during season 2 for Mbau. In the third season, she took on a more minor role as a guest star. Khanyi Mbau is a renowned South African actress and television personality.

2Baba

Seasons 1-3 (Recurring Guest)

2Baba frequently made appearances as a guest star within the reality TV series, “Young, Famous & African.” In the first season, his personal life intertwined with Annie Macaulay-Idibia’s storyline, as he had previously been unfaithful to her but demonstrated ongoing support in current times. He played a more prominent role in season 2, engaging in a conflict with Nadia Nakai while also reaffirming his marriage vows with Macaulay-Idibia. Unfortunately, he barely featured at all during season 3. A renowned figure in Nigerian music, 2Baba boasts numerous hit songs and has garnered awards such as an MTV Africa Music Award and a BET Award.

Andile Ncube

Seasons 1-2

Andile Ncube initially joined the first cast of “Young, Famous & African” in season 1, primarily taking on the role of a host by posing questions to the cast members about their personal lives. In the subsequent season, he continued as an interviewer and was responsible for gathering exclusive insights that were enjoyed by viewers at home. Previously known for hosting “Big Brother Africa” and “The Real Goboza”, Ncube decided to leave the show after the second season, but the specific reasons behind his departure still remain unclear.

Fantana

Seasons 2-3

In the second season of “Young, Famous & African,” Fantana made her debut. She stirred up some drama almost immediately by developing a flirtatious relationship with Diamond Platnumz, which strained her friendship with Zari Hassan. This conflict persisted into the third season, as Fantana and Hassan’s rivalry escalated. Fantana, whose real name is Francine Koffie, gained popularity as a Ghanaian singer.

Luis Munana

Seasons 2-3

Luis Munana became part of the cast in season 2 of “Young, Famous & African“. Initially, he was a relatively quiet newcomer who managed to steer clear of most of the drama, apart from some playful flirting with a few ladies like Fantana. However, things took a turn in season 3 when he requested Ino Edo’s assistance in finding a surrogate for his baby, leading to a heated argument. Munana is a Namibian fashion designer and model who had previously been seen on “Big Brother Africa“.

Bonang Matheba

Season 2 (Recurring)

Bonang Matheba became part of the cast in the second season, but didn’t reappear for the third. She was the unique member who appeared only once before departing (disregarding new faces in the third season). It is said that she had a significant dispute with Luis Munana, whom she accused of mistreating her and lying about her online. When Matheba left the show, she expressed her feeling of being ostracized by the group. Bonang Matheba is a well-known South African television host, radio personality, and fashion designer. She also has her own clothing lines.

Shakib Lutaaya

Season 3

In the third season of “Young, Famous & African,” Shakib Lutaaya was among the fresh cast members introduced. Interestingly, he entered the show as the husband of Zari Hassan, although there was some tension because he was 12 years younger than her. Nevertheless, they managed to maintain a strong bond and kept drama at bay. Lutaaya is well-known in Uganda for his career as a professional boxer.

Ini Edo

Season 3

In the third season, Edo was among the fresh faces, but she quickly became embroiled in significant conflicts. There was a dispute between her and Luis Munana, which started when he asked for her assistance in locating a surrogate for his child. She perceived this as disrespectful to women, leading to further disagreements within the cast. Notably, Swanky Jerry was also drawn into these heated discussions. A well-known Nigerian actress with more than 100 films under her belt and one of Nollywood’s top influencers, Edo is no stranger to drama.

Kefilwe Mabote

Season 3

Kefilwe Mabote became a cast member on the “Young, Famous & African” series during its third season. Shortly after joining, she found herself embroiled in show drama when she engaged in a disagreement with Zari Hassan. The disagreement ignited when Hassan claimed that Mabote had fabricated a marriage for social media purposes. Mabote is well-known as an elite influencer on social media platforms.

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2025-04-22 00:50