South Africa's ‘The Real Housewives Of Johannesburg’ Is NOT Happening After All — Find Out Why!

Last year, we reported that South Africa was working on their own Real Housewives installment with The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, and after many cast changes and production difficulties, it looks that the very expected first series won't happen after all. According to reports, the cast is considering legal action. Read full details below!

According to Sunday Times, the cast of the South African version of the reality show are considering legal action after it was canned before it could even hit television screens.

The cast consisted of successful and wealthy South African socialites, including Sorisha Naidoo, businesswoman and wife of Durban billionaire Vivian Reddy; Nazli Delport, an image consultant and the marketing manager of some of Johannesburg’s top nightspots; Puleng Mash-Spies, self-proclaimed “Dainfern Queen” and wife of a businessman; Aimee Sadie, a former model who runs an upmarket Sandton boutique; and businesswoman Christie Swanepoel.

Johannesburg TV producer Archie Tigere, secured the show’s South African licence last year. For months, Tigere kept details of the show, including the broadcast slot, a secret. He claimed he was negotiating with two network to air the show.

Back in May, when asked about the very expected series, he responded: “Unfortunately, we at Tigere Media are not a part of the Real Housewives production any more, so we will not be able to answer you on that.”

Sadie revealed that they were considering legal action,. “I’m very disappointed and frustrated. It took three months of our lives for the filming. We constantly had cameras in our faces.”

“Archie has refused to release any of that footage to us. He claims he has deleted it. At least we would have had something to salvage. “I put so many things on hold, like overseas trips, for this show,” said Sadie.

She did not want to comment about what led to the axing of the show.

Naidoo, who was initially reluctant to be part of the show until Tigere convinced her, referred queries to her manager, Lawrancia Mqwebu.

In a statement released in May, Mqwebu said: “After recent and most unfortunate developments, which we are not at liberty to discuss, Sorisha wishes to distance herself from Tigere Media.

“Having initially thought long and hard, finally taking the decision to film with Tigere Media on the much-anticipated Real Housewives of Joburg, Sorisha worked relentlessly, committing herself to ensure her South African following is treated to a quality portrayal of parts of her life.”

Mqwebu said Naidoo would focus on her business ventures and philanthropic work. The rest of the cast did not comment.

Meanwhile, Marilyn Montgomery, spokeswoman for NBCUniversal International, commented on the fate of the never released show. “So, unfortunately, I don’t have any information about its status,” she said.

This is the first time ever that a Housewives series gets canned before it airs on TV. American installments, The Real Housewives of D.C. was axed after one season due to the white house controversy while the status of The Real Housewives of Miami is still a unknown since the series has not been on air since November 4, 2013.

Meanwhile, international installments like The Real Housewives of Athens (Greece) and Les Vraies Housewives (France) were also axed after one season due to low ratings. After two successful season, Canada's very own The Real Housewives of Vancouver was put 'on hold' in 2013. A year later it was confirmed that the show has been cancelled by television network, Slice. The reason behind the cancellation is sadly still a mystery.

Are you sad that the Real Housewives Of Johannesburg is not happening after all? Sound off in the comment section below!

Source/Photo Credit: Sunday Times