Musa Mseleku breaks his silence on the ‘surreal’ success of 'Uthando Nes'thembu'

The ongoing drama and shifting dynamics of the Mseleku household have kept viewers glued to their screens, leading to a four-episode extension for season 9 of the hit reality series “Uthando Nes’thembu”.

The show, which follows polygamist Musa Mseleku and his family, will now continue to air on Mzansi Magic until May 14.

The family has navigated intense challenges, from therapy sessions to crucial family meetings that often lead to no breakthrough, especially since the wives are unhappy with Mseleku’s leadership style.

The man himself recently shared his thoughts on the season’s overwhelming success, his personal growth in the public eye, and his biggest hopes for his family’s future.

Humble beginnings and unexpected success

Mseleku, who is both a producer and the star of the show, expressed his gratitude for the continued public support following the news of the extension.

“I am greatly humbled by the amount of support we receive from the public. Having our season extended with additional episodes makes me happy,” he said.

Reflecting on the show’s decade-long run, the businessman and reality star admitted that while he envisioned success when he started the first season, it has surpassed his initial expectations.

“It started as just a vision, and I hoped it would be successful, but I definitely did not expect it to become this big. It is far beyond what I had thought”.

For Mseleku, one of the greatest joys of being on television, despite the difficulties it comes with, is linking his family to the practice of polygamy in the public sphere. 

“Being on the show has its challenges, but I enjoy that now isithembu is associated with us. Everyone has a point of reference, and that is the Mseleku family”.

Growth and public scrutiny

Being a prominent figure in reality TV has not been without its difficulties, but Mseleku sees his time in the spotlight as a period of personal development.

He noted that living life in the public eye for nearly a decade has taught him valuable lessons about leadership and staying grounded.

“Being in the limelight has not been easy, and I am truly grateful for this opportunity. Over time, I have grown in many ways. I have learnt more about myself, about leadership in my family and about staying grounded despite public attention,” he shared.

He also addressed the challenge of social media commentary, where viewers frequently dissect the family’s every move. He explained that public opinion can be taxing, but he has learned to see it as a chance for growth. 

“The challenge I face most is social media because people always have a lot to say. However, I have learnt to embrace both the good and the bad, as it always teaches me something,” he said.

Regarding how he manages sensitive topics while the cameras are rolling, Mseleku insists that the presence of the film crew has become completely normalised.

“Like I said, the more you do something, the easier it becomes. The cameras have become part of our lives, so it does not feel difficult to speak openly about anything,” he added.

A father’s hope for unity

Beyond his TV role, Mseleku places great importance on being a father. He described parenting as one of his greatest sources of pride, though acknowledging it is a difficult job. As shown on the show, his approach focuses on preparing his children for success in the world.

Looking ahead, Mseleku’s primary hope for the family is centred on finding harmony. “I hope everyone strives in their own journeys, but most importantly, as a family man and a father, I hope we find unity at some point,” he said.

As for what’s still to come on the additional episodes, he encouraged viewers who are invested in the Mseleku family’s authentic journey to keep watching.

“People should keep watching because we are not done yet. There is more coming in the season, and we will continue sharing our real, authentic lives,” he concluded.