Actress Manaka Ranaka to host new show confronting absent fathers in SA! Mzansi Wethu is set to ignite critical conversations this June with Eyamadoda, a bold new reality series aimed at unpacking the emotional and societal impact of absent fathers in South Africa.
Hosted by Manaka Ranaka
The show is hosted by seasoned actress Manaka Ranaka, who brings her own lived experience as a single mother into the spotlight. Each episode sees biological fathers and stepfathers come together to have raw, overdue conversations about their roles in children’s lives.
Manaka Ranaka to host new show
“Kunzima kwa-blended family,” Ranaka says, acknowledging the emotional complexities in raising children within blended households.
A National Crisis Addressed
According to the State of South African Fathers 2024 report, only 35.5% of South African children lived with their biological fathers in 2023. Eyamadoda responds directly to this crisis, offering a platform for accountability, reflection, and healing.
The show highlights men who’ve stepped into fatherhood emotionally, spiritually, and culturally—not just financially—in the absence of biological fathers.
Personal Grief Shapes the Host’s Approach
Ranaka speaks candidly about her own experience with father absence and grief. “I’m a single mom… there’s one [father] that was completely absent, and he only showed up when his daughter passed,” she shares, referencing the recent loss of her daughter, Katlego.
Her grief has not yet found time to process. “I haven’t even started my healing process because there are kids who still need me to help them heal,” she explains.
Not About Papgeld, But Healing
Eyamadoda steers away from judgment and finger-pointing. “We’re not there to collect papgeld. We need to put the babies first,” says Ranaka, emphasizing that emotional support matters as much as financial provision.
She also calls on mothers to allow fathers space for tough conversations: “We’ve tried our best and our trying means have been received as troublesome.”
Premieres This June
Produced by Devandile Media, the 13-episode series premieres this June on Mzansi Wethu (DStv Channel 163). Eyamadoda promises a powerful mix of confrontation, vulnerability, and healing—redefining what fatherhood can look like in South Africa.
In other news – Actress Asavela Mqokiyana returns to TV after giving birth
Actress Asavela Mqokiyana is back in the spotlight after taking a year-long break to focus on motherhood. The 29-year-old star from Mount Frere, Eastern Cape, has officially joined the cast of Uzalo, one of South Africa’s most-watched soapies.
After her last appearance on Durban Gen in 2023, Asavela stepped away from the screen to welcome her child. She shared that returning to the acting scene required both mental and physical preparation. Read More
