The latest production of the show-culture-culture reality show premiered on Sunday on South Africa’s M-Net network. However, they were launched with a wave of ridicule on social media after just three Black contestants entered the luxury city.
Viewers came online to express their disappointment that despite South Africa’s population being more than 80% Black African, producers are throwing in just two Black males and one Black female competitor. .
Durang Atembe, 22, Asad Boomgaard, 24, and Thimna Shooto, 26, are the only Black female rivals so far, making up a handful of non-white rivals this year.
“Y’all are in South Africa but have managed to have a nicer team than UK Love Island,” one viewer tweeted.
Addressing the throwing, another said: “I never want to hear ‘they throw according to their population’ … the percentage of black people in South Africa at 80.2% and there are only two black people in South Africa’s beloved island. It is an option. ‘”
South African actor Siv Ngesi shared a photo of the team with the caption: “This is Africa!”
CNN has reached out to Rapid Blue, the production company behind the show, for comments.
Through the new series – hosted by South African actress Leandie du Randt – there will be regular reruns, allowing islanders to choose to stay with their current partner. present or swap when new islanders enter the villla.
Any contestant who leaves single after the weekly replay will be removed from the show. Last week, the public voted for their favorite couple to win the 1 million rand prize (about $ 66,000).
The “Love Island” franchise is very popular, with “Love Island Nigeria” being announced last year along with other newcomers.
Despite an impressive rating, the first UK edition since its inception is controversial in 2015. Its guest, Caroline Flack, took her own life in February 2020 while awaiting trial over assault charges . Flack’s suicide was the third associated with the show, after contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon took their own lives.
In 2019, production company ITV Studios responded to the growing scrutiny by releasing an updated set of “duty of care” guidelines ahead of its fifth season. Arrangements included at least eight treatment sessions for each islander on their return home, as well as “proactive communication” from the team for a further 14 months.