Mzansi Magic’s new original reality series “Mgidi Moms” made its debut, and the first episode captured audiences with it’s jaw dropping moments.
“Mgidi Moms” is a first-of-its-kind show that explores the coming-of-age journey of Xhosa boys to manhood through the eyes of their mothers.
Once a simple traditional isiXhosa ceremony has now turned into an event extravaganza. From decor, outfits, to excessive meat and liquor, those who have the means have been going all out.
DStv Viewers’ Choice Award winner Moshe Ndiki hosts “Mgidi Moms” and, in episodes, introduces a new zibazana, the mother of the initiate who is preparing for the life-changing moment.
The series showcases a diverse range of mothers. Some go all out to mark the occasion with elaborate celebrations, while others choose a more traditional and understated approach.
“Mgidi Moms” travels throughout the Eastern Cape province, through different villages and towns, as they tell the stories of the mothers, who have agreed to be on the show.
The first episode sees “Mgidi Moms” kick off in a village in Butterworth, where a teacher shares why she is sparing no expense for her only child’s big day. She ends up spending over R500 000 for the big day – his gift a cottage, 19 sheep, and 2 cows, and her designer traditional outfit.
Ndiki, a father of twin boys, reflected that after every mgidi they filmed, he was in awe of how much he would need to budget for when they transition from boys to manhood.
Ndiki didn’t just learn that he has to budget through filming “Mgidi Moms” but also a deep sense of appreciation for cultural differences.
“We are different but so much alike. There’s amahlubi, there’s amampondo, there’s amaxhosa.
It is so beautiful how they do things differently, but it’s the same. I don’t want to lie, witnessing Amahlubi doing things. It just took me to another wait. What is this now?
“Even the songs, some Xhosa songs we dilute a bit, but amahlubi don’t, which is absolutely beautiful. I loved exploring imigidi through the eyes of all these women coming from different cultures.”
At the cornerstone of “Mgidi Moms” is the relationship between mother and son, even leaving Ndiki appreciating his mother more.
“It made me appreciate what it took for her to put together my mgidi because, like, even today, people still talk about it. The pressure, the family dynamics, the making sure everything goes well, everything is put together, I started to have a newfound respect for my mom.”
Ndiki teased that he was left in awe over one mgidi in Port St Johns, which showed the true support of the community.
“It’s just how they all did things, the organisational skills, the welcoming of people, how it was done, the planning, the curating of the food, the menu. I was literally in awe.
“No caterer insight, but imagine catering for like making food for about 500 and something, but the people that are cooking are only the people that are in your community, what support is that?”
“Mgidi Moms” airs every Sunday at 6.00pm on Mzansi Magic.
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