Tanzania’s ‘Wa Milele?’: A Revolutionary Reality Show Breaking New Ground
“Wa Milele?”, a Tanzanian reality show co-produced by Kefa Igilo and Jerryson Onasaa, triumphed at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, winning Best Unscripted Series. The show uniquely explores marriage, aiming to challenge societal taboos and offer therapeutic insights into real-life relationships. With nearly 200,000 audition responses, the series showcases authentic everyday experiences, highlighting the storytelling potential of the Swahili language and Tanzania’s film industry.
In a significant leap for Tanzanian entertainment, the reality show “Wa Milele?” has become a beacon of local storytelling. This groundbreaking series, co-produced by filmmakers Kefa Igilo and Jerryson Onasaa, won the award for Best Unscripted Series at the recent Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) in Lagos, Nigeria. The accolade represents a historic moment for Tanzanian television, highlighting its potential on a continental scale.
The show, which premiered earlier this year, has garnered attention for tackling the often sensitive topic of marriage, sparking discussions that many local reality shows have traditionally shied away from. Kefa Igilo, in an interview with The Citizen, explained how the idea for the show began during an initial meeting with Showmax to create a local reality series that resonates with Tanzanian society. “My concept met Showmax’s vision,” he stated.
Igilo pointed out that unlike many reality offerings, “Wa Milele?” dives into the complex realities of married life, aiming for both entertainment and education. “None of the reality producers here had ever done something around marriage hearings or real-life couple experiences,” he remarked, emphasizing their intent to challenge the norm.
The path to finding suitable candidates was anything but straightforward. The production team held online auditions to invite married individuals to share their personal marriage struggles—unexpectedly attracting nearly 200,000 responses. Kefa noted the importance of selecting stories filled with depth and relatability, saying, “We wanted people whose stories could help others.”
Capturing the genuine essence of participants’ lives, “Wa Milele?” documents not just pivotal moments but the entirety of a couple’s daily routine. “Our director Canny ensured every moment was captured creatively and punctually,” Kefa added, underlining the show’s commitment to authenticity.
He also highlighted how the series functions as a therapeutic vessel, shedding light on private issues many are hesitant to discuss. He pointed out the stigmatization of seeking help, stating, “Wa Milele? shows that there is a space to speak, to be heard, and to heal.”
Kefa further asserted that the AMVCA win underscores the significance of Swahili language content on global platforms, showcasing its ability to convey complex narratives. “Our industry is much bigger than we think,” he emphasized, encouraging fellow filmmakers to collaborate and innovate.
As “Wa Milele?” continues to engage audiences in difficult conversations around marriage and real-life challenges, it solidifies its role as a significant cultural touchstone. The show is a clear demonstration of what can happen when local stories are told with authenticity and creativity, paving the way for future productions in Tanzania.
The success of “Wa Milele?” marks a transformative moment for Tanzanian television, showcasing the nation’s potential in reality programming. With its focus on authentic marital experiences and emotional struggles, the show has not only won accolades but also opened up vital dialogues around marriage. As it continues to inspire, it stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in addressing societal issues, noting that honest narratives can resonate across cultures and borders.
Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz
