Musician, community leader, and now reality TV star; say hello to Papa Penny, the much-loved Shangaan music legend, who’s about to take our small screens by storm.
Mzansi Magic will gift the country with yet another authentic South African production, in the form of Papa Penny Ahee!, a reality show which looks at the complex, yet fascinating life of Penny Penny, in and around his hometown of Giyani.
Now hailed as the Shangaan Disco King, itwas his in-your-face attitude and eccentric synth-pop style that distinguished him from the rest of the pack during the height of his fame in the 90s. His flamboyant dress sense, hip-twisting moves, and notorious polygamous lifestyle, has kept him a news headliner ever since, and more recently landed him a role as Choirmaster in Mzansi Magic’s Clash of the Choirs SA.
Papa Penny Ahee! invites viewers into Penny Penny’s colourful world. There’s his every day interaction with his family and his close relationship with his community of Nkuri Sofasonke village, where he was a ward councillor and is known and loved by everyone.
Viewers will see his flashy (some might say ‘gaudy’) property, with its trimmed hedges that spell out his name, carved wooden doors and pillars, ornate trimmings, as well as his latest DIY operation: a man cave right above the entrance of the sprawling property.
This debut season will be about family. Himself, a father of 17 children, Penny Penny is on a mission to gather all his siblings for his father’s refurbished tombstone unveiling, with his 90-year-old mother by his side.The music star will be trying to regroup all his long lost relatives for a family reunion. But does he know them all? Do they even want to meet and get to know him?
And what of the wives? How many does he have? What are the living arrangements? Do they all know each other and get along? How does he maintain such a big family?
Papa Penny Ahee! also won’t shy away from stereotypes that are thrown at the province of Limpopo and its people. We also see the hustle and bustle of Jo’burg, where the celebrity music star comes alive, as he interacts with his award-winning producer DJ Maphorisa, and other musicians in preparation for a major concert.
Mzansi should prepare for a reality show like no other – colourful, complex, and authentically South African from 11 January, at 8 PM on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161). Be assured that if Papa Penny thinks it, Papa Penny says it. Ahee!
Follow the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and at mzansimagic.com.