Olwethu Leshabane talks about reality TV and evolution of 'Real Housewives' franchise in SA

While reality TV might seem daunting as it gives the world a front-row seat to one's life and opens one to scrutiny, Olwethu Leshabane says it still has its perks and her life is proof of it. 

The TV host and entrepreneur joined the cast of Real Housewives of Johannesburg in the middle of the first season, thee months after giving birth to her third child and she used the platform to have people familiarise themselves with her brand.

“As much as you put your life and so much of you out there, it's so important to be authentic ... I've always been intentional. Being called to do reality TV was from a place of being vulnerable, open and sharing, and never oversharing. There's an element of my children and husband that I have to protect,” she told TshisaLIVE. 

Witnessing how far the American franchise has come, Olwethu predicts that the Real Housewives of Lagos could see the cast members getting international recognition.

“The evolution of Real Housewives of Johannesburg to Real Housewives of Durban has always been about the next season, and what's exciting is they are made women. So it's going to be exciting to watch how they do it and how they evolve and if there's a second season, how they catapult themselves. I get the sense that with RHOL, these women are going to make it internationally.”

Olwethu says she's grateful to have found her feet in the entertainment industry after her stint on reality TV, having bagged a show on 1 Magic Oh Baby, and built her brand around family and parenting.

“In your authenticity, there are so many more opportunities. I've had a lot since. As a family woman and as a mom, I'm building a career around family and things relating to that.”

Though her brand might encompass her family and she has her husband as her manager, Olwethu says she has no trouble demarcating the two worlds and prioritises herself.

“I allow myself to be an individual before I am a wife and a mom or businesswoman. That boundary can be blurred by people creating their own narratives and perspectives out there. People could be more aware.”

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