‘Being Mandela’: Nelson Mandela’s granddaughters to star in new reality TV show
Former South African President Nelson Mandela (C) celebrate his birthday surrounded by his grandchildren during an interview with the media at his house in Qunu, on July 18, 2008.
Looking for a new reality TV show? Nelson Mandela's kin has you covered.
"Being Mandela" will premiere Sunday on NBC's COZI TV, just in time to give you a (much-needed) break from the Kardashians and Eastwoods.
The show follows Mandela's 30-something granddaughters, Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway and Swati Dlamini, as they navigate the usual family dramas and rivalries … just, as the flesh and blood of one of South Africa's most beloved political figures.
Surprisingly, given the trash-factor that many associate with reality television, the women said they have their grandfather's blessing to go ahead with the show.
"We get asked this question a lot. Is this not going to tarnish the name and is this not going to be bad for the name?" Dlamini told the Associated Press. "But our grandparents have always said to us, this is our name too, and we can do what we think is best fitting with the name, as long as we treat it with respect and integrity."
Technically, the two women don't carry the Mandela name: their parents are Zenani Mandela and Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini of Swaziland. Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, continues to be actively involved in the girls' lives … and thus, the show, the Globe and Mail reported.
Dlamini and Dlamini-Manaway revealed that their 94-year-old granddad, a legendary statesman, has his own reality TV guilty pleasure.
"You'll be interested to know that he loves [TLC's] Toddlers and Tiaras," Dlamini told the Guardian, to which Dlamini-Manaway added: "Because of the kids! He just loves children."
Riiiiiiighht.
More from GlobalPost: Nelson Mandela TV miniseries, "Madiba," in the works