Love Island SA, and M-Net received some heat after viewers expressed how disappointed they were with the fact that the cast was “whitewashed”, and lacked diversity with only two of the cast members being people of colour.
Twitter users, annoyed with lack of diversity on the show felt that the show should have been named “Love Island Orania”, and that the dating show should have been aired on KykNet instead of M-Net, as they did not feel that they may have been the intended audience for the reality dating TV show.
If you wanted to do Love Island Orania, just say that, man. https://t.co/8OPcbRIQQG
— Kovie Biakolo (@koviebiakolo) February 28, 2021
M-Net then released a response to the Twitter outrage. “We pride ourselves in reflecting diversity and inclusion for all our shows, including Love Island. Viewers can be assured that this will become more apparent in the future episodes of Love Island SA. We hope viewers will keep watching to enjoy the new stars of the show who will be arriving over the next few days,” said the spokesperson of DStv.
Initially there were only two black faces on the premier of the show, Thimna Shooto and Durang Atembe. In the first few episode of the show, Thimna and Durang had a bit of chemistry, but that quickly died down as Durang found interest in another contestant, Millie Terblanche. Durang quickly became the least favourite contestant in the house, with his co-star Jay saying, “You are starting to look like a bit of a d*ck to the girls.”
M-Net came to the rescue, and brought another black face into the Love Island house. Libho came into the house and quickly created a bond with Erin, but that did not last too long as Libho chose Thimna as his partner on the recent episode that aired on Thursday evening.
Viewers across the country were delighted with Libho’s choice to be coupled up with Thimna, and were even more excited to have witnessed the new “it” couple sharing a moment of romance with a scene that had them cuddling in bed and bonding over conversation.
#LoveIslandSA LoveIslandSA is in their bag????❤️ pic.twitter.com/1VjbV3qTKg
— Thato Nkanyiso Maoela (@thatonmaoela) March 11, 2021
Libho and Thimna are the content I signed up for!!!???????????? #LoveIslandSA pic.twitter.com/n9BvZtM1MS
— YT: Tiara Livi (@TiaraTeeyaLivi) March 11, 2021
Libho chose Thimna! Black Twitter we are winning!!!!#LoveIslandSA pic.twitter.com/Uyg9BGiTvU
— Dr. Shebeleza (@that_winner_lee) March 11, 2021
I ship with my full chest. If I perish, I perish. ????????????
Thimna and Libho ????????????????????????#Thibho ????????????#LoveIslandSA pic.twitter.com/AulQI7nQvH— Peace of mind ❤️✨???? (@SimplyIvy29) March 11, 2021
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Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?