By Rorisang Modiba
- Viewers and activists say Isencane Lengane normalises abuse and profits from a teenager’s trauma.
- Women For Change says the reality show adds to South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis by turning real-life pain into TV drama.
A growing number of viewers say Isencane Lengane is turning abuse into entertainment, and they want it off the air.
The show, which airs on Moja Love, follows Siyacela and Thando Dlamuka, who married at the age of 16. But it’s Thando’s experience that has people angry, saying the show is exploiting her pain.
The group Women For Change is calling for the show to be cancelled, saying it’s gone too far. They believe Thando needs emotional and legal help, not a camera in her face, Sunday World reported.
“Isencane Lengane is meant to entertain, but showing abuse like this is wrong,” said the group. “Instead of helping Thando, the show uses her suffering to get attention.”
The backlash grew after the latest episode aired, with many viewers taking to social media. Some said the show makes abuse look normal. Others said it’s wrong to make money from someone else’s trauma.
This isn’t the first time Moja Love has been in trouble over the show. In 2023, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa fined the channel R50,000 for showing domestic violence. That fine came after people complained about how Thando was being treated.
But Women For Change says that wasn’t enough. They say it failed to deal with the real problem — that the show is using gender-based violence to boost ratings.
More than 5,500 women and 1,600 children were murdered in South Africa during the 2023/24 period. Activists say that shows like Isencane Lengane only make things worse.
Women For Change has already gathered over 144,000 signatures on a petition. They want gender-based violence and femicide to be declared a national disaster.
They’re also planning a protest at the Union Buildings.
“It’s not just about one show,” said the group. “It’s about how we treat people who are hurting. We need to speak out — all of us.”
Pictured above: Isencane Lengane
Image source: Isencane Lengane
