Gqeberha: The Empire was never
really an empire was it?
It had its moments here and there, reaching a high of 936,193 viewers in
December 2023, but ultimately
the scenario was a fictional take on reality low uThando Nes'thembu.
Successful businessman has three wives and wants another.
His wives gets angry and bitter.
It's too samey and therefore no surprise that Mzansi Magic has announced its divorce from the Tshedza Pictures-produced telenovela which premiered in January 2023.
It's going to run until the end of Season 2 and the finale will air on Friday 10 January 2025.
They haven't given any reasons of course but we presume it was three-fold:
1. The ratings have plummeted in Season 2 and are now at 570,793 viewers for its most watched episode in the latest
August 2024 TAMS. That's a loss of 365,400 viewers - a whopping decrease of 60%.
This happened despite the fact that there's no more loadshedding. December's high was achieved when we were still suffering up to Stage 4.
2. There have been rumblings about the production being beset by logistical problems, financial issues and unhappy actors, which we believe. Why?
Because of the production being filmed in the Eastern Cape. It's the only daily MultiChoice show to be filmed there so it's far from the mothership, vulnerable to nefarious influences, financial mismanagement and lack of experience in filming a long term show in a remote location.
3. Too many wives. Enough is enough! There have been too many shows about polygamy and it's time for something fresh.
Also, how relatable is it? Yes, people practise polygamy but how many people actually practise it practically in real life? Perhaps the more pertinent question is: how many people can afford it?!
Mzansi Magic say that a new telenovela will replace Gqeberha once it ends and we presume and hope they're done with this theme. Alternatively they could try a show about a wife who has multiple husbands. That would be something to see.