REALITY TV STARS: Casts from Young, Famous, and African. From Left, Zari The Boss Lady, Luis Munana and Shakib Lutaaya.
REALITY TV STARS: Casts from Young, Famous, and African. From Left, Zari The Boss Lady, Luis Munana and Shakib Lutaaya.

Young, Famous, and African Season 3: Luis Munana stands his ground but misses the mark

Michael Kayunde
The much-anticipated third season of Young, Famous, and African premiered on Netflix on Friday, 17 January, bringing a fresh dose of opulence, drama, and a deeper glimpse into the lives of Africa's entertainment elite.

While the show continues to celebrate African success stories, its latest installment has received mixed reactions, particularly regarding Namibia's reality TV star Luis Munana.

This season marked a turning point for Munana, who shed the passive persona observed in the first two seasons. Fans applauded him for standing up for himself, a welcome evolution that injected fresh energy into his storyline. However, despite this growth, the lingering focus on his surrogacy journey felt redundant. What began as a heartfelt exploration of a deeply personal desire now risks overexposure, leaving viewers yearning for more nuanced storytelling.

For Namibian fans, Munana’s presence on the show is a source of pride, but there’s also a prevailing sense of missed opportunity. As a creative entrepreneur and the visionary behind some of Namibia's most prestigious fashion and lifestyle events, his professional life could have provided a fascinating counterbalance to the glitzy safaris and lavish dinners showcased on the show. The absence of behind-the-scenes moments from events like the MTC Windhoek Fashion Week which he leads feels like a disservice, not only to his fans but also to the narrative potential of the series.

This critique extends to the show’s broader format. While Young, Famous, and African celebrates the glamour of the continent’s elite, it often skims the surface of their realities, opting for superficial drama over a deeper exploration of their professional and personal lives. Many cast members, including Munana, have built impressive careers that deserve to be spotlighted. Instead, viewers are left with curated displays of luxury that, while entertaining, fail to capture the complexity of these influential figures.

Season 3 also welcomed three new cast members: South African influencer Kefilwe Mabote, Nigerian actress Ini Edo, and Ugandan businessman Shakib Lutaaya. Their arrival brings new dynamics to the ensemble.

Despite its flaws, the show remains a guilty pleasure. The aspirational lifestyles, heated confrontations, and romantic entanglements provide enough intrigue to keep audiences hooked. Yet, as it enters its third season, Young, Famous, and African faces the challenge of redefining its narrative approach. It must strike a balance between the drama that fuels reality TV and the authenticity that resonates with its viewers.

For Munana, Season 3 was an improvement but not a triumph. His fans are rooting for him to embrace his entrepreneurial identity and allow audiences a closer look at the ingenuity and hard work that have cemented his place in Namibia’s entertainment industry.

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-28

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