From Zola Nombona’s “trenches” on set to Dineo Moloisane’s hostage YouTube channel, local stars are using a viral TikTok trend to expose their real-life struggles.
By Bulelwa Hoala
If you’ve been scrolling on TikTok recently, then you’ve definitely bumped into the dramatic clips of the viral “Netflix Documentary” trend.
While many South African users have been using it to make light-hearted jokes, some South African celebrities and influencers have jumped on the trend to drop some serious, unfiltered truths.
From toxic production sets and friendship fallouts to identity crises and legal battles over stolen content, local stars are showing us that behind the glitz and glam, they are normal people surviving some heavy real-life dramas.
Zola Nombona: Surviving the production “trenches”
Zola Nombona kicked off her video with a caption that resonated with many of her colleagues in the acting industry.
“Practicing for my Netflix documentary on how I survived the production set that wouldn’t let me take a single sick day.”
“Yeyi, because sometimes we are in the trenches, guys,” she wrote.
With supportive comments from fellow actresses Kwanele Mthethwa and Luyanda Zwane, a rumour was sparked that Zola may be referring to her time playing Fakazile on the hit show My Brother’s Keeper.
@zolanombona Yeyi because sometimes we are in the trenches guys 😫🥺
♬ original sound – Zola Nombona
Lerato Nxumalo: The friendship fallouts
Lerato Nxumalo joined the trend with a personal clip.
“Me preparing for my Netflix documentary on how I apparently can’t keep a friend.”
“We’re gonna need about 10 seasons,” she said.
Following her highly publicised, alleged fallout with former BFF Cindy Mahlangu, social media critics and blog commentators have pointed to her track record of fractured relationships, with some suggesting she might be the problematic one.
@lratonxumalo We’re gonna need about 10 seasons
♬ original sound – Zola Nombona
Lindiwe Dim: The struggle of dual identity
Popular model and actress Lindiwe Dim used her “documentary” to touch on her painful reality of growing up with a Nigerian father and a South African mother.
“My Netflix Documentary: Being born half Nigerian and half South African growing up in South Africa.”
“Who am I when who I am is fighting who I am?,” she captioned the video.
Lindiwe has been open about the identity crisis she faces. Despite xenophobic online trolling and critics saying that culturally she should embrace her Nigerian father’s heritage, Lindiwe says she chooses to honour both her Nigerian and South African roots.
@lindiwedim Who am I when who I am is fighting who I am? #xenophobia #southafrica #nigeria #netflixdocumentarytrend #netflixdocumentary ♬ On a Mission – Duomo
Dineo Moloisane: Held hostage by a producer
Content creator Dineo Moloisane addressed her traumatic experience with her former producer in her video.
“Preparing for my Netflix documentary about how I survived an ex-producer who withheld my equipment, held my YouTube content hostage, and still expected silence.”
“@netflixsa, if you’re casting for documentaries, I’ve got one. Just don’t let my former production near the cameras. @youtube, BRB… my comeback season is loading,” she added.
After a falling out, Dineo’s former producer blocked her access to her own YouTube channel. Because the producer had set up administrative rights, they hijacked her content and subscriber base. To make matters worse, they refused to return her expensive production equipment, allegedly holding her physical gear as leverage.
@kingdineomoloisanen @netflixsa , if you’re casting for documentaries, I’ve got one. Just don’t let my former production near the cameras. 😭 🍿 @youtube , BRB.. my comeback season is loading. 💋 My subbies don’t forget to subscribe.❤️ . . #foryou #fyp #southafrica #tiktoksouthafrica #dineomoloisane ♬ original sound – kingdineomoloisane
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