Young, Famous And African Season 3 Review – Drama, Feuds And Fake Love

Season 3 of Young, Famous and African welcomes South African content creator Kefilwe Mabote, iconic Nigerian actress Ini Edo, and Ugandan boxer and entrepreneur Shakib Lutaaya to the show’s cast of superstars. They will join returning cast members like Nigerian actress and entrepreneur Annie Macaulay-Idibia, Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz, Namibian businessman and media personality Luis Munana, South African rap artist Nadia Nakai, and several other familiar personalities from past seasons.

Plot

The latest season of Young, Famous and African released on January 17, 2025, is full of twists, drama, and unresolved issues. From Zari’s wedding bringing both unity and chaos, to the introduction of new characters like Fantana, Kefilwe, and Ini Edo, the group dynamic has clearly shifted. The tension between Annie, Zari, and Nadia only adds fuel to the fire, while Swanky’s efforts to mediate seem short-lived as new conflicts arise.

Zari’s new marriage has already stirred up insecurities, especially with rumours about her wanting another baby with Platnumz, creating more tension for her and her husband. Meanwhile, Kayleigh’s impatience with Naked’s reluctance to propose shows her limits are being tested, and Luis’ childhood trauma reveals a deeper layer to his conflict with Ini creating a more emotional, yet volatile, storyline.

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Cast

The third season of the Netflix reality TV series, Young, Famous and African, features exceptional actors like Kefilwe Mabote, Ini Edo, Shakib Lutaaya Annie Macaulay-Idibia, Diamond Platnumz, Luis Munana, Nadia Nakai,  Kayleigh Schwark, Zari Hassan, Swanky Jerry, Naked DJ, Fantana and others.

Language

The season was performed in South African, Akwa Ibom and English. 

Summary

Season 3 of Young, Famous & African was nothing short of a dramatic rollercoaster. From the very first episode to the chaos at Swanky’s party, it felt like the cast’s sole purpose was to call each other out, settle scores, and never, ever agree on anything. If there was one thing that was clear this season, it was that no occasion could go by without someone dragging up old beef, airing grievances, and creating new drama in the process.

Ah, Annie. If there was one person who dominated the season, it was her—but maybe not for the reasons she’d hoped. The show’s plot seemed to revolve around Annie’s constant turmoil, and viewers couldn’t shake the feeling that something deeper was brewing beneath the surface. Her interactions were a strange mix of passive-aggressive jabs, forced smiles, and endless drama—all punctuated by the infamous voice note saga. That voice note felt stretched out longer than an actual plotline! Watching her swing from fuming to pretending everything was fine was exhausting, and by the end, fans were just… tired. The resolution of her beef with Zari felt almost too perfect and convenient—unrealistic, to put it bluntly.

Now, let’s talk about the true star of the season: Ini Edo. Her entrance was a breath of fresh air—calm, collected, and undeniably more mature than the rest of the crew. She didn’t waste time trying to win over the viewers or the clique; instead, she earned their respect with her level-headed approach to the chaos around her. While Annie’s chaotic energy often stole the spotlight, Ini effortlessly became the voice of reason, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of drama.

Kefilwe was another character who turned heads. Gorgeous, poised, and unafraid to call out the nonsense, she quickly became a fan favourite. Her handling of Platnumz’s evil plans was a standout moment, leaving viewers applauding her for standing her ground and sabotaging whatever mess he was trying to create. But then… there was that final party. What even happened there? It was almost as if the composure she had carefully maintained throughout the season evaporated in a moment of uncharacteristic chaos. Honestly, we’re still trying to decide if Zari deserved it. Did she? Didn’t she? Guess we’ll never know, but that moment was one for the books—or rather, the Instagram memes.

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Then there was Kaleigh and Naked. Let’s be real: at some point, it felt like they had accidentally stumbled onto the wrong set. Uh, this isn’t The Ultimatum: South Africa, guys. Kaleigh spent most of the season pushing Naked to commit, and while we get it—girl needed that ring—the whole thing just felt a little… forced. Sure, she got her happy ending, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that Naked was just… there. We mean there. The whole relationship felt like a subplot that was trying too hard to keep pace with the more dramatic moments unfolding around them. At least they didn’t feel like the wrong couple by the end.

Ah, Zari and Shakib’s wedding. Where do we even begin? Let’s not mince words here: something about their relationship felt off. It wasn’t the age difference, as the show quickly made sure to remind us that love is ageless (or something like that). No, it was the timing. Could it be that this wedding was just the perfect excuse to pull everyone back together for some chaos? That’s certainly what it felt like. While we can’t say for certain if their love story is fake (we’re not about to risk being thrown a glass of wine), Shakib’s constant need to talk about his insecurities had us tuning out. His speeches stretched out like an endless slow-motion montage and were a chore to sit through. Seriously, every time he spoke, it felt like the entire room was holding its breath, waiting for something—anything—to change. 

The dynamic between “Mama T and Baba T” was one of the more interesting subplots. Shakib’s insecurities seemed to be fed by an unsettling combination of outside pressures and internal fears. Was his behaviour justified? Maybe. But as viewers, it felt like we were left hanging on the answer. Could this relationship survive public scrutiny? Or was it just another case of fame getting in the way of something real? Too early to tell, but one thing’s for sure: their storyline added a layer of complexity to the otherwise wild drama surrounding the group.

And then there was Luis. Poor guy. It’s safe to say he might not return for another season. He seemed so overwhelmed by all the drama that we were half-expecting him to just pack up and leave. Between the power struggles, emotional confrontations, and fiery personalities, it’s no wonder that Luis looked like he was about to wave a white flag by the season’s end. The chaos of the group felt like it was too much for him to handle, and his emotional rollercoaster was both relatable and, frankly, a little sad to watch. We wouldn’t be shocked if he took a break from this wild crew for the foreseeable future.

It seems like Young, Famous and African has become a battleground of egos, friendships on the edge, and relationships teetering between love and conflict. With the clash of personalities and unresolved issues, it’s shaping up to be an unpredictable next season filled with both drama and some real, raw moments.