Xolani Maphanga/ Picture: X(formerly Twitter)
Despite its growing success, DSTV channel Moja Love has come under fire from viewers who have recently voiced concerns over the nature of the content the channel pushes out, questioning whether it intentionally targets mzansi’s black demographic.
Since its launch in February of 2018, Moja Love has become the go-to channel for any and all messy reality TV, as they offer a plethora of shows for one to enjoy. Now, the thing about Moja Love’s content is that it has become extremely controversial because it serves as entertainment; it also addresses some significant issues that plague South African citizens, particularly the black demographic.
Viewers who have been enlightened have begun to question whether this is a concerted effort by the channel to do the opposite of empowering black people in South Africa. Furthermore, some of these users have drawn comparisons to other DSTV channels such as Kyknet, which caters to a whiter audience and have revealed that they believe it is no coincidence that the content produced by these channels looks significantly different.
If you compare the content on KykNet channels versus the content on Mzansi Magic channels (especially Moja Love) it’s clear who Multichoice seeks to destroy.
The KykNet audience is also beset with social problems but the content there doesn’t reinforce them. https://t.co/FDWEKMszy6
— Mbekezeli (@MbekezeliMB) January 23, 2025
With recent tensions between the racial groups continuing to rise, and users coming out to speak about the harsh realities of living in post-apartheid South Africa, some users have identified some more empowering content that the channel could consider picking up. According to these users, the channel could do a much better job at looking to empower black people in South Africa, rather than amplifying the negative aspects.
If Moja love was a serious channel they should be doing a show about this. In fact we must do a documentary about this https://t.co/Uc4F9h3Kas
— Silences in NGO Discourses (@phethani4) February 4, 2025
On the other hand, some users have highlighted the fact that Moja Love as a channel merely responds to the demand, and the South African audience has proven that they live for drama and chaos, as opposed to empowering content. According to these users, the shows that target to empower people often do not accumulate as much success as the Moja Love-type of shows.
NO! Multichoice RESPONDS TO DEMAND. Change Moja Love to a business show etc and watch what will happen to the ratings. Please stop with the victimhood. Koos Bekker used to say “We don’t know how to entertain the black audience besides music channels” this was before Mzansi et al
— Sam Trong (@SamTrong3) January 23, 2025
Compare views too, check most watched shows on DStv or Moja love, tell me which types of shows get most viewers. Don’t just do half the work, go deeper with your research, in fact, then ask about “positive shows” on the channel and why they never get new seasons. Because people…
— Karabo Mokgoko 🦄🌞 (@Karabo_Mokgoko) January 24, 2025
Also see: Not all heroes wear capes! Anele Mdoda intervenes in racial matter involving her former high school
