Meet the Shebeen Queens of Soweto in New Showmax Reality Series

Showmax has just unveiled the first-look trailer for Shebeen Queens, a riveting reality series that shines a spotlight on the indomitable women behind three of Soweto’s most popular shebeens: Alina’s Place, Big Mama’s Tavern, and Rams Tavern. The Showmax Original, produced by Barkers Media, is set to premiere on 22 August 2024, with new episodes dropping every Thursday until 14 November 2024.

Shebeen Queens offers an inside look at the lives of three larger-than-life entrepreneurs: Alina Sishange, Emily Thabang Leeuw, also known as Big Mama, and Xoliswa Shwayimba. These women are not just business owners but pillars of their community, balancing the demands of parenting with the rigors of running shebeens in a fiercely competitive, male-dominated industry. The show promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with liquor, laughter, and the raw realities of life in Soweto.

“Shebeen Queens unpacks the myths we grew up being told and were made to believe about women who run shebeens. The audience is going to be entertained: Barkers Media and Showmax have created something magical. Never has there been on screen such raw, relatable stories that will speak to the women’s spirit of wanting to nurture their family, having to forego their soft feminine nature in order to take on masculine energy so that they can run businesses and households, and once in a while drop their guard so that they can allow the men in their lives to love them the way a woman should.”

says producer Mpho Lengane

Meet the Shebeen Queens:

Alina Sishange

Alina Sishange’s world is an intriguing mix of faith and temptation. As a shebeen owner, traditional healer, and pastor, she constantly navigates a life filled with spiritual and social contradictions. Alina is unafraid to stand up to her critics and embraces her unorthodox lifestyle with boldness and determination. Her journey is one of resilience, as she fights to claim what’s rightfully hers, balancing her roles in a way that few could manage.

Emily Thabang Leeuw a.k.a Big Mama

Big Mama is a force to be reckoned with. She is fearless, unyielding, and willing to confront anyone who threatens the success of her shebeen. However, her fierce persona masks a complicated family life. Big Mama’s tumultuous relationship with her older children, who resent the environment they grew up in, has led to a legal battle. She and her daughters are currently defending themselves in court against a client who has accused them of physical violence. The stakes are high, as a guilty verdict could result in the loss of their trading license.

Xoliswa Shwayimba

Xoliswa Shwayimba is the life of the party, always found dancing to amapiano and bringing joy to those around her. Her journey from domestic worker to the owner of Rams Tavern is a testament to her determination and hard work. Xoliswa supports her four siblings and shares a life with her fiancé, Joshua Mtshali. Although they don’t have children together, they have five children between them. Xoliswa is determined to secure her future, pushing Mtshali to set a date for their white wedding, give her a big gold ring, and divorce his first two wives so that they do not interfere in her inheriting the shebeen.

Shebeen Queens promises to be a captivating exploration of the lives of these extraordinary women, offering viewers an unfiltered look into the world of Soweto’s shebeens. The show is set to break down stereotypes and reveal the strength, complexity, and vulnerability of the women who have made these spaces their own.

Don’t miss the premiere on 22 August 2024, and tune in every Thursday to follow the journey of these powerful women.

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